A disease causing a wet cough
If your dog needs to spit up when he coughs, it may be because he has a productive cough, also commonly known as a “wet cough”. This is a form of coughing that helps evacuate secretions present in the animal's lungs or throat.
The wet cough is not a disease as such but a symptom which can, in particular, be indicative of an infection of its respiratory system (tracheitis, laryngitis, bronchitis) by viruses and/or bacteria. These diseases are usually treated with antibiotics, prescribed by a veterinarian.
Regurgitations
A dog's cough can also be easily confused with regurgitation or attempts to vomit.
This can happen when the dog just ate or drank something and “swallowed”. It's also very common when a dog starts eating blades of grass and one gets stuck in his throat.
But there are also conditions likely to cause repeated regurgitation in dogs such as hiatal hernia or megaesophagus. If your dog is accustomed to this, you will need to consult your veterinarian.
Attention, emergencies!
If your dog tries to vomit but cannot, he is probably suffering from torsion dilatation of the stomach syndrome. If necessary, he needs urgent surgical treatment!
If, in addition to trying to spit, your dog begins to salivate profusely and/or kicks itself in the mouth, it is likely that a foreign body has remained stuck in its region oropharyngeal region. It is then necessary to consult as soon as possible!
A heart or respiratory problem
If, finally, your dog clears his throat, as if he wants to get rid of something that has been stuck inside for some time, this can also be a sign of heart failure or tracheal collapse.
Heart failure usually occurs in older dogs or dog breeds predisposed to this type of problem such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while tracheal collapse rather affects small breed dogs such as Toy Poodles , the Spitz Nain, the Yorkshire or even the Lhasa Apso.
The appearance of this problem in your animal obviously justifies a consultation with your veterinarian as soon as possible.