Hello - our Chihuahua has what sounds to be the same condition. We have had similar tests and similar conclusions all with no discernible improvement. Our little guy is going to be 10 this July, and the coughing has been bad for about 2 years. I was wondering how your Chihuahua is doing. Have you had to implement any of the other breathing treatments your Vet hinted at? I am hoping our Vet will let us give the Dexamethason a try. Our Chi weighs in at around 6.5 pounds (about a half pound too heavy, which is something else I need to work on). You did not indicate how large your Chi is, but I am guessing the dosage would be similar. I am printing your post so we can take it to the Vet tomorrow.
Three weeks ago, I took my Chihuahua to the vet again. The coughing got worse, and more pronounce. The vet had ordered an endoscope, and a tracheal wash. Last week, I got the results back from the endoscope, and it showed that her airway passages were normal and infection free. The veterinarian concluded that my Chihuahua had the human equivalent of COPD. He stated that every time my dog coughed, my dog was trying to rid the lungs of air, due to the airways constricting. He prescribed Dexamethason in .25 mg. I picked up my Chihuahua’s medication at the wal-mart pharmacy for only 4 dollars!
Unfortunately, my Chihuahua’s condition is without cure. I asked the vet if her condition will limit her lifespan, and he stated that most owners euthanize their pets because the coughing becomes a nuisance. However, my Chihuahua is family, and I would never do this. In addition, he did state that down the road, we might have to discuss some other breathing treatments. Furthermore, I asked him if my Chihuahua’s coughing was related to her heart. My vet again said no, since the x-rays showed no abnormality and when he listened to her heartbeat, the vet ruled out any association between my Chihuahua’s heart and cough.
Even though my Chihuahua’s cough is a life-long condition, her medication has no noticeable side effects. Thankfully, my Chihuahua eats, plays, and functions normally. Best of all, my Chihuahua’s coughing has abated. My Chihuahua coughs a lot less than what she used to. I have to give her medication only once a day in the morning with food. The only weird thing is that the medication comes in only .5 dosage, thus I have to cut the pill in half with a pill cutter.
I am so happy I finally got a diagnosis, and now I know how to treat her condition!
Thank you for your concern!
Welcome...This sounds like Congestive Heart Failure symptoms & given her age, it's very possible.........She needs to have an ECG/EKG to rule out heart disease.....Karla