Wednesday, July 29, 2009

What can it be wrong if a dog is coughing?

Hi. My dog is 10, he's a poodle and he has been diagnosed with a heart condition in the past, but he has been doing relatively well. For the past 2 days he has been getting coughing fits, i don't know if it is related to the heart problem. He has always coughed whenever he drinks water, but now he just coughs throught the day. Any advice? Serious answers please, i love this dog. (And yes,i know i should take him to the vet,will do that soon).
Answers:
I think it could definitely be related to the heart problem. But even if I were qualified, there just isn't enough information here to make any kind of accurate diagnosis. I hope he checks out ok at the vet.
My dog has had problems coughing twice. Once it was worms, and once it was because he was so overweight!
Has your dog been exposed to any other k9s recently? If so, it could be kennel cough (bordetella), which is treatable with antibiotics.
.Meds can be given a directic to help with this. if you don'tthe dog will continue to get worse and die. If this is whats going on.Often with a heart condition animals have congested heart failure. Fluid builds up in the lungs. One of the signs of this is a cough.The vet should check your dog Immediately.Meds can be given to help with the fluid build up. If left untreated the dog will get worse and die. If this is whats going on. Good luck. I do hope your dog will be ok
Considering the age of the dog it is something you have to get checked by a vet. My old dog had a cough and it was cancer.
It would help if you could describe the cough. If its a hacking cough,which sounds a bit like a Seal honking,then ends with the dog "gagging" it may be Kennel Cough,which my dog has just recovered from. Heart conditions also produce some types of coughs in dogs/humans alike. See your vet SOONER rather than later,your dogs heart condition may have deteriorated. Good luck,hope it all goes well.
Your baby could have worms, or the flu. Yes, they can get the flu. In any event a trip to the vet is definately recommended, as soon as possible. If you can get a stool sample to take along with you that will save time for the vet with his/her diagnosis.
Good Luck
Ms. BG :)
You are wise to get him to a vet very soon. It could be kennel cough which can be controlled by the administration(by a vet) of drops in the eyes or nose. However, kennel cough frequently clears up on its own similarily to a human respiratory ailment but can happen over and over. I suspect it's something more serious even heart worms.
I had a dog that did that, she was 14 years old. It was congestive heart failure. I don't really want to tell you what I had to do, believe my it took everything I had to do it also.
I don't want you to be upset so keep in mind that that is what my dog had, yours could be different. Get him to a vet asap.
The best of luck to you!!
i agree with cin-ann, with him having a heart condition it could be fluid build up eventually leading to congestive heart failure with a not so good prognosis or a 2-3k vet bill, with your pet saying in oxygen for days. the longer you wait the worse it will get, its better to get him checked out and take him to the vet immediately if his respiratory rate increases or his respiratory effort increases, and especially if his gums turn blue/purple/gray.
IT SEEMS THAT THIS POODLE HAS A VERY LOVING MOMMY WHICH IS ALL HE EVER ASKED FOR. FIRST, SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN HIS THROAT CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTION. IF NOT, GIVE HIM A TEASPOON OF ROBITUSSIN FOR THE APPROPRIATE COUGH. ASK YOU PHARMACIST. IF ALL ELSE FAILS, CALL YOU VET - BUT NOT AT THIS STAGE YET.

GOOD LUCK! I LOVE ANIMALS.

SINCERELY,

BARBARA A.
Well, it can be kennel cough, heart problems, or heartworms. Great vet attention ASAP b4 it gets worse. Good luck!
The coughing may persist because his throat is irritated. Give it until over the weekend. So long as he's acting normal, not lethargic, is eating and drinking (very important), doesn't have diarrhea or isn't vomiting, then all should be OK. Just to be on the safe side, double check with your veterinarian to see what they say, that's always the best thing to do.
Hi, I can relate to your anxiety over this condition.
When Bubba, my male pug was ten, he started a very severe cough, which an xray revealed was caused by "treacheal collapse". This condition happens in older, small dogs, usually obese.

When the dog attempts to breathe in, the treachea, which is small anyway, collapses much like a straw when sucked on too hard. Of course, the harder the poor baby tries to breathe, the worse it becomes.

I was told there was nothing, short of weight loss, that would help permanently. He was given a shot in his throat and cough tablets to help. It was a death sentence for Bubba. Knowing that I couldn't get my husband to stop giving him treats and less food, I decided that I would get a pug puppy so that Bubba's loss could be endured.

Ironically enough, the new puppy chased the older dog around, got him involved in lots of activity and play,and six months later Bubba was five pounds thinner and his bouts of coughing were less and less. The puppy literally saved his life.

Now Bubba's nearly fourteen and the coughing has returned, especially when he gets excited. We still take him for periodic shots and give him the cough pills when he needs them.

This may not be what is bothering your dog, but then again it may. Is he overweight and getting more inactive? Have the xraying done, then get yourself a poodle puppy!
Good luck.
Catlady(9) and Doglady(3)
Coughing is a very generic symptom of many illnesses.

No one can begin to tell the cause without more information.

Anyone offers suggestions is simply blowing smoke.


Learn to take temps.

Learn to be able to do a quick exam to determine symptoms



"The Well Dog Book" is a handy resource and explains TPR and other concepts.

Better than ignorant idle speculation based on a very very generic symptom that standing alone is meaningless..
I would seek the advice of your vet with regard to your dogs coughing problem. Good Luck.

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