Coughing

[Taz lover]

My tiny four pound Maltese/Poodle cross has been coughing and I was wondering if someone has any ideas.  He is about 8 1/2 and has had issues with his behavoir.  He won't let us have him groomed without him trying to bite us or get his nails trimmed, so every four months or so we have to have him knocked out to have this done.  I wasn't sure if this was some of his problem from the stuff they give him or what, but he does it alot especially at night.  It's just little coughs, and sometimes he acts like there is something stuck and he gags.  It's kind of hard to explain, but I thought if someone had some ideas.  If I take him to the vet, they can't examine him without putting him under or he'll bite them.  He, also, has issues about if we leave him at home he'll pee on things.  He really is a loving dog, and I love him alot, but I'm kind of worried he may have a tumor or something.  Please help.

[suzi-q]

My minature poodle had that and it was her heart.  She had heart disease and they needed to give her a diruetic to help clear out the fluid in her lungs.  Your dog needs to be checked and an x-ray to see if he is retaining water around his heart.  It is a treatable condition so don't panic...my dog went on to live until 12 years and had to be put down for other reasons, even though her heart disease did progress.  With the right meds, your dog can go on and live a happy full life.  Please let us know what happens.  Maybe i

[Jaybay]

He needs to be seen by the vet for a full exam, that much is clear.  Ask your vet for some sedatives to give your dog before you bring him in.  There should be something that will calm him down without having to completely knock him out.  He could have a whole lot of other things going on without jumping on cancer right away.  If you can obtain a sample, bring some of his urine in with you as a urinalysis should be part of the exam.

I had a dog with a similar temperament.  She was great with us, but with other people - forget it.  I finally figured out we did everything wrong with her and ended up with a completely unsocialized dog.  The last 3 years of her life she was completely trustworthy and it took an attitude adjustment on our parts to accomplish her socialization.  Didn't take long either!  Look up "dog socialization" on the internet and you'll find a ton of information to help you out.  Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, has books and DVDs out if you don't get his show on the National Geographic Channel.  That's how I finally fixed our pup, and it only took a few short weeks to accomplish.  :-)