Pug coughing/gagging - can anyone help?

[PrinnyPug]

I have a 6year old female pug, for the last 6 days she has been coughing/gagging but not all the time - it seems to come on randomly throughout the day and night. The coughs/gags have been dry except for one which caused her to be sick. She has always gagged but its not been so bad as this.
I am reluctant to take her to the vets - as we seem to always be there!! And I have read a lot of people say on the internet that after taking their pug to the vet with similar symptoms that the vet was unable to find the problem.

Can anyone help? Is it something that will go on its own?

[PrinnyPug]

I wasn't able to get an appt tonight so am taking her tomorrow evening. We thought she was getting better but had quite a bad gagging fit tonight. Now terribly worried about her! Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help her? Thanks

[tonyb286]

I wouldn't use any intervention meds if you are already taking her to the vet later, as this could interfere with other more appropriate meds the vet may wish to commence ... but if you think the coughing spasm is getting worse, try getting her there earlier as this could potentially deteriorate quickly into a more serious event. I would certainly restrict all excitement and exercise until after she has been to the vets and, hopefully, a diagnosis has been made by them. Let us know how you get on. Tony

[PrinnyPug]

We took her to the vet Friday and ended up taking her to a night vet to be monitored over night, my vet had given her a steroid injection to calm down the swelling of her throat area. She was absolutely fine at the night vet and has been fine since - we have been told she must lose 2kg, we aim to do this within 1month as the vet feels this is the issue - her weight and the wether getting warmer. Once she has lost the weight it's likely she will need further investigation on her soft palette. But overall the advise was to lose weight (priority), keep her cool (use a fan/air con) and calm her down if she begins to get any sign of gagging or heavy panting. The vet also gave us a powder to reduce mucus. Hope this helps anyone else having similar issues and I know pug owners always hear this but don't let your pug over eat!!!!! Thanks for all advice

[tonyb286]

Good news. Yes, as I mentioned earlier, any (literally any) underlying problem that restricts breathing, swallowing, etc., can become a major issue for pugs, owing to the genetic issue soft palette - and obesity is certainly one of them, as it further restricts the throat, breathing and so on. It's good that you have identified this early enough to resolve it. Great news for both you and your dog. Tony

[Saramat]

Please see my posting from Feb. 23, 2013 "Pug with bilateral nasal discharge, gag, retch and cough." My pug has had an issue since being boarded for the first time in early Sept. 2012. She has had two endoscopies and there was a big change in the two months between them.
She had been on antibiotics, steroids, allergy meds, coughing meds, and more. Kennel cough was ruled out and at first the vet thought allergies. Because of the changes in anatomy between the first and second endoscopy, the vet felt it was chronic bronchitis.  She is now on an oral bronchodialtor (to expand airway passages) and inhaled steroid (to reduce the inflammed tissue).  She is 13, has always been active without a problem. She is still active with the above symptoms which makes it a mystery. She is regurgitating more often. The other night the vet called with an "ahah" thought - it may be acid reflux so we have also started Prilosec.  It will take a few weeks to see any changes if this is it, but I will post if she gets better. I am curious what the powder is that you are giving yours for the mucous build up.

[marleyclick]

hi there .. I have a male black rescued pug !  He may be 9 or 10 yo has poor immune system many allergies !  last yr he had pneumonia .... also had elongated palate shortened which we THINK has made him cough and gag more ... was told by vet not the cause .. but we still think yes.  anyhow ... he always since last year ... lot's of phelm .. runny nose .... each side ... gets very stuffed up .... dust mites may be the cause OR outdoor mold on tree leaves .. I don't know !!!! we have tried chlortrimatin and benedryl ... but I think he needs more of decongestant ... to help with the stuffed up nose !
i read your response.. curious as to what the inhaled steroid is ?   Marley also has shakes his head ... ears are clean .. ( when we got him 6years ago he was so scabby and ears were crusted black ) poor guy we figured out his food allergy ..beef, grains, corn ...etc ... but this head congestion is too much and when he sneezes .. lots snot comes out .. it is not green.so that's good . but nose MAY run and run throughout the day. and yes on walks !