My 16 Year Old Shih Tzu Chokes, Coughs & Gags When She Wakes Up...any Ideas Why?

We had a boston terrier that did this, he had kennel cough. It was a dry hacking cough. We gave him amoxicillin 2x a day along with children's cough syrup 2x a day, he was completely over it in 5 days. I wish you the best of luck.

Obviously because she is really old and she has lived a long life. You should probably take her to a vet for her to get checked up, it's entirely up to you though what you do with her

Cardiac disease is characterised by coughing especially in the morning and in the evenings.  However, coughing in dogs can have many causes.  It can be an upper respiratory tract problem like kennel cough, tonsilitis, foreign body, tracheal collapse or it may be another respiratory disease like pneumonia, bronchitis or asthma.  You will need to take your dog to the vet to get to the bottom of this.  They will ask you more questions about the history of the problem, do a full physical exam, and depending on the findings they may do further testing.  This might include endoscopy, xrays or blood tests.

Since your dog is 16 years old, cardiac disease would be high on the list of differentials.  I would recommend you take your dog to be examined as soon as possible.

Take her to the vet immediately! My dog did that and come to find out she had parvo! Your dog has the signs of Parvo.

Your dog might be having viral infection because vet has given him only cough suppressant otherwise in case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are drug of choice. Viral cough can be kennel cough and can take 3 weeks for recovery. Gagging in dogs is due to excessive mucus production in the throat and this can be due to following reasons.

1. Bacterial or viral infection
2. Allergies
3. Anatomical abnormalities
4. Tonsillitis

So, complete the course of treatment, your dog will be fine.