Pug with bilateral nasal discharge, gag, retch and cough

[Saramat]

My thirteen year old female pug has had bilateral nasal discharge (sometimes clear and sometimes white and yellow mucous), gag, retch, some regurgitation and unproductive cough/wheeze over a five month period. She has historically been a very healthy, active dog. She was boarded for the first time in September 2012 and very shortly thereafter presented with cough.  Kennel cough was ruled out. She was treated with Zeniquin and Butorphanol with no improvement.

Chest radiographs were normal and she does not have collapsing trachea.  In October she had a scope and there was adequate laryngeal function.  Steroids were started to treat a possible low grade allergic pharyngitis. That didn’t help so we tried first an antihistamine and then steroid prednisone but that didn’t help either.

In October she started developing the bilateral nasal discharge and endoscopy/rhinoscopy was performed. Nothing unusual was found.

Since then there has been an increase in gag/retch/cough. Since she didn’t respond to antibiotics, steroids, antihistamines, chemotherapy Alkeran was started with the idea that if it is plasmacytoma that would be the most logical treatment option.  Although she tolerated this treatment well, no improvement was noticed after three weeks.

As a final rule out, we tested her for the fungal disease blastomycosis by urine testing in January. Her test came back a low positive. To further assess that test result, we submitted the nasal tissues taken at rhinosopy for PCR testing and the results were negative.

Chest radiographs were repeated.  She has a normal heart rate and rhythm, does not have a heart murmur, and has excellent exercise tolerance.

The nasal discharge is primarily during walks (when she is getting more exercise). The gag, retch, cough happens more and more and some nights she is up fifteen times and other nights not at all. The episodic nature of her symptoms is a real mystery.  I understand it is difficult to diagnose without further diagnostic testing such as another endoscopy/ rhinoscopy, but I am reluctant to put her through much more at thirteen.

[camcon2]

I am having the same issues with my 11-year old male and trying to decide what road to take when it comes to testng/x-rays, etc..  Can either of you share what the outcome was for your pugs?

[Kimmi_Lewie]

Hey There,

Ive got the same issues with my 13year old pug! He had brinchitus a few years ago and each year he would have a coughing period which after some treatment would clear up. But this year its being really stubborn, and its got to the point where my vet as referred us to a specialist as he cant see whats causing this issue. From what he can see he has a clear sounding heart, and we have tried various cough suppressants and inhalers but nothing. We are off to the specialist on Friday to which they have said they will more than likely put him under to have scans, x-rays and the whole camera down nose/Throat. I'm not keen on this idea due to his age but I feel I don't have any option if I want to him to get better, So we will see. Hope your pug is okay now,  do let me know if you ever found out what the cause was.

Thanks

[Saramat]

Thank you for your reply. I posted to see if anyone's dog has experienced this. I can't believe she's the first! Nothing has changed with her food or within the house. We do feed her a top quality food (really just salmon and potato) and she's always been a fish girl so we even cook salmon for her. Pugs tend to be prone to allergies, so I have always avoided food with corn, wheat, etc. She hasn't had a problem with food allergies so far. She is definitely a senior pug - but they can live to a good old age.

[Jerry_NJ]

Given the experts/professionals are stump ted I doubt there is much any of us on this community can add... but hold out hope, someone with a similar problem found a cure/fix.

You mention the kennel experience, are there any other unusual experiences you can think of.  Has her diet changed, or maybe should it.  Are you feeding a bland, grain free, etc... I'm not a food expert but believe my Westie has food sensitivities.  

I do not have any idea what the life expectancy is, but 13 is in the older bracket even for a small dog.

Wishing you a more helpful reply from others who know more.