My dog wont vomit

Question
QUESTION: For about a month now my dog will cough a little, and then make a sound as if she is vomiting, but she never vomits! she does it alot, maybe once every day or two.  I am very worried about her please tell me what you think it could be.
thank you so much- Margaret

ANSWER: Hi, Margaret. Have you had her to a vet's yet? If not, I'd recommend you do so. She could have kennel cough, or heartworms, or even some kind of obstruction. Is anything at >>all<< coming up, even just watery liquid? If so, that is bile, and some dogs will do it when they are anticipating being fed. One way to help stop it is by feeding them at random times, instead of on a set schedule. That way, there is no anticipating mealtime because they never know when it's going to happen.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kristen,
Thanks so much for responding.  No, nothing at all is coming out. Money has been very tight so we havn't been to see a vet yet but I'm getting an appointment next week; its horrid to put something like this off.  She is about 10 years old.  We feed her at a diffrent time everyday.  She has never stayed in a kennel before, if thats where you pick up kennel cough.  Is it?
Thank you again so much,
Margaret

Answer
If nothing at all is coming up, I'd definitely talk to the vet. Kennel cough is often spread from one dog to another in boarding facilities and shelters, but it can also be picked up from contact with another dog. Just like in people, the young and elderly are at the highest risk. Kennel cough presents itself in individuals with suppressed immune systems and/or those going through a period of increased stress. It's not as >>serious<< an infection as, say, parvo, but it >>is<< something that needs to be treated.