Home / Honking Cough Or Heart Disease?

Honking Cough Or Heart Disease?

Clue	Airway (Like Tracheal Collapse)	Heart
Sound	Loud honk in fits	Softer, often at rest or night
Triggers	Excitement, collar, drinking	Lying down, exertion
Other signs	Often otherwise lively	Faster breathing at rest, tiring, weight loss

Small older dogs often have both problems at once, and an enlarged heart can press on the airway. That is why vets often check the heart in coughing small dogs. Only tests can sort it out.