Coughing in senior dog

[Peanutsmom97]

My dog is 17. When he was 15 he developed a dry cough. We've tried hydrocodone (too lethargic, won't eat), a steroid tab (makes him incontinent), and currently ammophylline (sp?, doesn't work well).  I took him to our state veterinary college to be checked right after he developed the cough. They did a thorough exam. He does not have congestive heart failure, nothing is pressing on his trachea, and his trachea has not collapsed. His own vet thinks his trachea has or is collapsing, in spite of what they said at vet school.  If he has none of these, what could cause this cough?  In the last few months he has been getting a little something to come up.  His lungs and heart recently checked out good.  The cough is worse at night.  What could be causing this and is there some different medicine we could try?  

[Peanutsmom97]

Thank you both. His cough became extreme to the point he couldn't rest and he was also blind and deaf. He had started pacing and crying at night. He was just existing with no joy in his life any more. So on April 30 we let him go and he isn't coughing any more. I know he is running and playing at the bridge but my heart is shattered.  Thank you both again.

[tonyb286]

Hi. I'm inclined towards allergies, particularly given the age of your dog and therefore a potentially compromised immune system, and the eye symptoms and cough. But Margot's suggestion of CHF is certainly a valid possibility, or even an upper respiratory problem. I would have thought the vets would have identified any CHF or upper respiratory problems, but tend towards allergies because they are extremely difficult to pin down. In addition, you mention the cough is worse at night, which is very typical of airborne allergies.

In addition to the other questions asked by Margot, it is worth knowing what foods and treats you are giving your dog on a regular basis?

Tony

[Peanutsmom97]

Thank you.  He is a mixed breed 18 lb dog.  No allergy testing but his eyes are a bit bugged out and always runny so he does likely have allergies.  We haven't changed anything in his environment, no smokers, only bathe him infrequently (he hates it) with mild puppy shampoo.  I think it has to do with him getting old, just not sure what.  Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it.

[Margot49]

Sorry you can't get a definitive diagnosis.  Due to the age, CHF would be my first guess but it appears the dog has had a thorough work up and that has been ruled out.
What breed is your dog?
Has any allergy testing been done?  This could be an inhalant allergy of some sort.  Have you used any new cleaning products or sprays?  Dies anyone smoke?  Is this seasonal or all the time?  Have you changed food?
I can only suggest you vacuum your home and furniture as best you can.  What type of bedding does he sleep on?  What do you bath him with?  Do you use perfume?
IF this is an allergy caused cough, it can be very hard to pin down.  
You might try adding some Omega 3 supplement to help boost the immune system.
I would try running a humidifier in the area he sleeps in at night and see if the added moisture might help.
Hope you can find an answer or solution.
Please keep us updated.