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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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I am concerned that my Corgi/mix might have had heartworms for awhile now because this dry cough that he gets every now and then and I mean sometimes he don't get it for months but I just thought it was like excitement or like when you walk them and their collar chokes them, he gets these what I call fits and it sounds like a cough but yet like he's trying to spit something up cuz his heads hanging down while he's doing it and it seems like when I pat his sides and talk to him to soothe him it stops but now my sister in law heard it and said it could be heart worms and now I'm scared for him cuz like i said its been years he's had this, like 7 and its only every now and then so my concern is if heart worm is he going to be able to get rid of them?
My Danny an 8 yr terrier just went 2 wks ago to the vet for a normal check up and yearly shots. He was very healthy. Woke up Thursday morning coughed like a dry cough and wet on the floor. He never did this. I took him out and he walked ok. That night he layed down and wet and did not want to go out. He loves walking normally. Friday morning I took him out but not long and that night he did not want to go out at all and laid down and wet. He had also threw up. I was taking him to the vet the next day but he died that night. I am so confused he was so healthy and loved taking his walks. I just don't understand? Was he poisoned? He was always trying to sniff and eat anything in the grass as we walked. My heart is broken he was my little buddy...don't wait to take your dog to the vet take them when anything changes.
My dog, a Maltese (5yo), has been dry hacking, which sounds exactly like kennel cough, for over a month. Especially when she's excited. I've already brought her to the vet twice, finished her course of medication for phlegm and cough. And finished the antibiotics but she's still coughing. The vet initially guessed that it could be that she has distemper but after so long, the only symptoms that showed was her flat paw pad which my vet said that it's hard pad. Should I suggest for my vet to do an X-ray or blood test? I also saw that feeding them near the fridge was a bad idea. I've always been feeding her beside the fridge. Maybe I should try changing her dining area. Thanks everyone for the tip!!
My 8 yr old lab has what they thought was kennel cough- now on our 3rd round of antibiotics and still coughing- 2 xrays show cloudy lungs- just not getting rid of it! Also had antitussive which he just finished, they had suggested the thought of lymphoma , i dont even want to think about it. Not sure what to do! Help!
My 8 yr old lab has what they thought was kennel cough- now on our 3rd round of antibiotics and still coughing- 2 xrays show cloudy lungs- just not getting rid of it! Also had antitussive which he just finished, they had suggested the thought of lymphoma , i dont even want to think about it. Not sure what to do! Help!
I have a dog that we found about a year ago. I have no idea what kind of dog she is but she's medium size and old. Usually every once in a while she will cough/hack and then dry heave but in the last day or so she has been doing it a lot more frequently. She eats normal, drinks normal, and uses the bathroom normal, but I'm just concerned because it sounds like its hurting her. Any idea of what it could be?
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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............