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dog is coughing- vet says heart problem?????
I took my dog to the vet last week. He had a skin tag and a cough. The Vet put him on an antibiotic to see if we could clear it up. We are on day 9 of 10 with his meds and the cough seems worse. It is a heaving/hacking cough- kind of like he could vomit. It is not constanct. He is able to sleep, acting pretty normal and is eating fine. BUT the Vet said if it has not cleared up- he might have heart issues and will need an x-ray. In all of the research I have done, that is not mentioned. Paracites, infection, fungus all get mentioned- but I have not seen any other source mention heart issues. Anyone else been through this? Thanks!
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Welcome....Some Vets prescribe Liquid Syrup, some will give a oral pill for cough....My Holistic Vet recommends Honey to use as cough syrup.....For a small dog, I give 1/2-1 tsp. 3 or 4 times a day...It works beautifully!!! Karla
what sort of cough med do they Rx for dogs? the internist only gave Comet some prednisone and clavamox for his cough.....no cough syrup.... i'd like to know if you know in order to ask the vet for it....seems to me that one needs to SUGGEST and TELL vets about the meds for them to Rx them :(
Also- my dad smokes in the house, but he has never seemed to mind it until the past year or so. He was put on antibiotics for a couple lf weeks, in which he did not improve. He has no allergies, either. We have tried cough syrup as well..he eats fine, drinks, lounges inside the house and outside on warm days. (If I think of more I will add..)
I have an 8 year old black Lab who hacks and coughs, as well as wheezes, as if he cannot get enough air..the coughing has been both dry and moist, and he has already been to the vet and was diagnosed with heartworms then treated and declared fine..he has been doing this for over a year now, only for it to become worse. His muscles tense and he will open his jaw wide (like he has a hairball or is about to throw up) but nothing hardly ever comes out, and what does is mainly spittle..I hear him every night and it breaks my heart...help??
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With Heart Disease, the weak heart cannot pump as well...Fluid builds into the lungs causing the cough..The cough is usually MOIST like they're choking on congestion...Actually, they are...The cough is worse in the mornings & during periods of running, playing & excitement....Fluid will show in an xray.....
Heart Disease is NOT a death sentence.....It's rather common in dogs! Dogs can live many ,many years on medications just like humans can.....Meds. to improve function of the heart & also lasix to clear fluid from the lungs......An EKG or ECG can detect what part of the heart is having a problem.....They usually run around $100.....Some Vets will suggest this test, some will not...THey will just go ahead and treat...
Next- Kennel Cough- This is a virus and antibiotics will do nothing.....Cough syrup is very necessary to help this run it's course.....Lasts a few weeks & the cough is excessive!!!!
Collapsing Trachea- Common in small breeds- This cough is more like choke-gasp, choke/gasp....It sounds like a goose honking....Meaning like when your sucking through a straw & it collapses. Like it kinda sticks then opens, etc. It is actually doing just that.....The trachea collapses then opens back up...This ailment is treated by weight control & Medications for lung disease....Cough meds, bronchial dilaters, Asthma meds., steroids when necessary, etc.
Respiratory Diseases cause coughing....Asthma & Bronchitis are treated with the same meds as Trachea Collapse. This is more of a dry cough with wheezing at times or both....With this, sometimes the Heart shows enlargement,but it is not a Heart Problem! It's from lack of oxygen through the respiratory system.....Steriods are useful as needed for allergy season that can be a trigger.....Dust mites in the house affect this alot (Especially in the winter when the heat is on and the house is closed up tight).......It seems they breath better outside.....Something else: Dust Mites in DRY dog food alone can trigger this.....This disease can be controled for years once you know what to do.....
There's a common cough called A "Reverse Sneeze"...You can google it to know what it sounds like.....I can't describe it....It kinda sounds like all the above, dammit!!! ;) Although it sounds awful, it's really harmless.....Lots of dogs do it their whole life...
Then of course, Heartworm Disease will cause a cough....ALso will show an enlarged heart....Will be seen on an xray....Can be ruled out with a blood test...
OK, good luck tomorrow...I hope you get it all figured out....Please come back and let us know what happens.....If I think of anything else, I'll let you know....Karla
P.S. I'm still surprised that your Vet did not prescribe Cough Syrup for a dog that was brought in for a cough!!!!!!
Oops.....I just thought of another one...Post Nasal Drip will cause a cough...As the fluid trickles down the back of the throat....It tickles....Thus the cough! The throat & tonsils will be red and irritated if this is what your dealing with....Can be worse during periods of excitement, also.....This is usually allergy related or can be linked to Stress...I know that sounds impossible, but it can happen......Take care............