Dog congestion issue

[rayzac]

I called the vet but they won't give any advice without seeing the dog. Every so often, when he is awake only, the dog will cough almost like something is stuck in his throat. It sounds like he is congested a bit. He is breathing normally and other than being extra difficult at eating his dog food, he is acting normally. He has had this cough for a bit over a week. We have tried giving childrens benadryl as the vet once suggested but does not seem to help.

Thoughts? I read online similar stories that said it might be a respiratory infection and to just wait it out. He has not been getting any worse over time so I don't think it is anything to worry about but my BF is stressing on it.

ETA: Here is a pic of him so be nice!

http://i48.tinypic.com/2m335dt.jpg

[ForeverDcember]

I have no idea but OMG he is soooooooooooooooooooo cute!

What is that precious doggie's name?

[Iaaaiws]

Sounds like when a cat has a hairball.

Any chance he swallowed a cat? :dontknow:

[RugratsGalore]

Sounds like when a cat has a hairball.

Any chance he swallowed a cat? :dontknow:
If OP doesn't like cat, what makes you think he'll feed it to his dog? :P

[AggieMom]

Do you feed him table scraps? It could be a piece of bone or something. Could be kennel cough. Could be pneumonia. Could be lots of things.

Why do people think vets are mind readers?!? :lol: If you're concerned, take him to the vet. It is against the law for a vet to treat an animal he or she has never seen and established a doctor-client-patient relationship with.

[Roland Deschain]

its very likely that your dog will need to go on a cycle of antibiotics.

It'll run you about $50 for the meds plus the cost of the office visit.

My guess is upper respiratory infection.

if i'm right you don't want this condition to worsen or your dog could end up with pneumonia.

how is your dogs energy levels lately? noticing a decline? do you notice your dog ever pawing at his nose/muzzle area?

[rayzac]

Thanks for the replies. His name is Lambie (his sister is Llama). We call him Bear though since he looks like a little teddy bear.

The BF made an appointment for the vet so guess it does not matter at this point.

Do you feed him table scraps? It could be a piece of bone or something. Could be kennel cough. Could be pneumonia. Could be lots of things.

Why do people think vets are mind readers?!? :lol: If you're concerned, take him to the vet. It is against the law for a vet to treat an animal he or she has never seen and established a doctor-client-patient relationship with.

The vet is the one he has had for 5 years and he was just in 2 months ago for his shots and check up. If I call my doctor and tell him I have a cough, he can at least tell me if I should visit or not. Not asking a vet to be a mind reader, more just if the symptoms seem like something that I should worry about.

[veritableqndry]

Could be "reverse coughing," one of my dachshunds does that sometimes. She has allergies, apparently. It's especially bad for small dogs that are close to the ground (pollen, dust, etc). Our vet said not to worry and if it gets real bad we have some inexpensive allergy meds we can give her.

[ForeverDcember]

Moar Lambie/Bear pictures!

How old is he?

[rayzac]

Moar Lambie/Bear pictures!

How old is he?

He and his sis are 7.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00004.jpg Llama
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00006.jpg Bear

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00028.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00050.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00057.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00061.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00069.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/rayzac99/Terry/DSC00056.jpg

[ForeverDcember]

:sadwalk: for some reason the page won't load the pics. Hmm..


Oh did you check his collar? Could it be too tight?

[rayzac]

:sadwalk: for some reason the page won't load the pics. Hmm..


Oh did you check his collar? Could it be too tight?

They do not have collars. We use a harness when they go for walks.

[GeminiiGirl]

GO TO THE VET!

my dog has had so many health problems the past couple months. the vet is really the best option. if it is serious and gets worse, you'll regret not going. this is a life we're talking about here!

:sadwalk:

[smiley333]

Aw! They are so cute Ray! Good that he's going to the vet, :happy: could be any number of things and it's important to rule out any serious issues. :)

[damsel.]

OMG so cute!

My little puppy has reverse coughing, like vq was talking about. It sounds weird and scared us at first, too.

My dog that recently passed away once ran away while we were on vacation (only an hour away) and he was staying with a family friend. He was turned into the SPCA at which point we were notified he was there. Unfortunately, it was a Friday and we could not get him out because city hall was closed and we couldn't pay the $25 fine until Monday. He had to stay the whole weekend. :( :( He got kennel cough while he was locked up all weekend and lost his "voice." I felt so bad.

[Gray.]

OMG! They are so cute!!!! I love llama's bows. :girly:

I hope bear feels better soon.

[Kelmar]

OMG so cute!

My little puppy has reverse coughing, like vq was talking about. It sounds weird and scared us at first, too.

My dog that recently passed away once ran away while we were on vacation (only an hour away) and he was staying with a family friend. He was turned into the SPCA at which point we were notified he was there. Unfortunately, it was a Friday and we could not get him out because city hall was closed and we couldn't pay the $25 fine until Monday. He had to stay the whole weekend. :( :( He got kennel cough while he was locked up all weekend and lost his "voice." I felt so bad.

Kennel cough would be my guess but take the dog to the vet....

[BostonGirl]

So weird you made this thread, my dog is having a bout of congestion. But he just had surgery tuesday to have 10 teeth out. My dog sounds like his nose is stuffed up. Its a weird sound, but his breathing is fine and no cough. I actually held him over the bathroom sink and turned on the hot water and let him inhale the steam, it seemed to help.:dontknow:
I'm calling the vets anyways where he just had surgery, don't want him to get phenomena or anything.

But yea call the vet and try some steam and see how he feels. He's adorable BTW..:)

[buybuy]

Kennel cough would be my guess but take the dog to the vet....
Definitely sounds like kennel cough from the brief description. This is a dry cough that happens sporadically and sounds like they are trying to cough something up. Antibiotics are the cure. Google it if you want more info. Good luck and let us know what the vet says.

[Schooby]

Aww how cuuuute!


My dad has a lapso/poodle mix that has chronic bronchitis and coughs pretty hard semi regularly. Your vet will figure out what he has. Even if it is chro. bron. don't worry overly much since my dad's dog has had it for many years and is now about 18.

[rayzac]

So an update. He did go to the vet and the vet said it is either a problem with his trachea or a heart issue. He said he heard a heart murmur. He is now on two meds for both issues and has xrays in 2 weeks to see what the problem is.

[clownfishboy]

its very likely that your dog will need to go on a cycle of antibiotics.

It'll run you about $50 for the meds plus the cost of the office visit.

My guess is upper respiratory infection.

if i'm right you don't want this condition to worsen or your dog could end up with pneumonia.

how is your dogs energy levels lately? noticing a decline? do you notice your dog ever pawing at his nose/muzzle area?

This is exactly what happened to my dog. I thought he had swallowed a tennis ball or something. The vet checked his lungs out and came to that conclusion. He took antibiotics and it eventually went away. His cough was bad.

So an update. He did go to the vet and the vet said it is either a problem with his trachea or a heart issue. He said he heard a heart murmur. He is now on two meds for both issues and has xrays in 2 weeks to see what the problem is.

Sometimes I think the vets are just guessing and prescribing all sorts of meds to our poor dogs without knowing for sure if it is the best thing to do. I hope your dog feels better soon.

[GeminiiGirl]

So an update. He did go to the vet and the vet said it is either a problem with his trachea or a heart issue. He said he heard a heart murmur. He is now on two meds for both issues and has xrays in 2 weeks to see what the problem is.

:( poor dog. my dog Roxy sympathizes with the tests done. she's gone through hell with tests done the past weeks.

[rayzac]

So an update. He was panting and very restless today so my BF took him to an emergency vet. He is in for tests now but they think it is his heart. Will now in a couple hours.

[KTMay]

So an update. He was panting and very restless today so my BF took him to an emergency vet. He is in for tests now but they think it is his heart. Will now in a couple hours.Oh, Ray....praying, hoping, crossing fingers.

[tribblegirl]

Hope everything turns out okay.

[AggieMom]

Why an emergency vet? That's going to cost you way more money - or is it just an emergency visit to your regular vet?

:comfort: I hope it's nothing serious.

[tribblegirl]

Why an emergency vet? That's going to cost you way more money - or is it just an emergency visit to your regular vet?

:comfort: I hope it's nothing serious.

My vet never has appointments, so unless it's routine & scheduled in advance, it is an emergency at the doggie E.R. Different entrance, same doctors, way higher rates for the service :/ Unfortunately I've been there a few times with my cats.

[AggieMom]

My vet never has appointments, so unless it's routine & scheduled in advance, it is an emergency at the doggie E.R. Different entrance, same doctors, way higher rates for the service :/ Unfortunately I've been there a few times with my cats.

Lame. :annoyed: Although... if DH would start doing this I'd probably see him more often. :scratch: He'd never go for it - that conscience of his gets in the way sometimes. :lol:

[rayzac]

He is back home. His heart is very enlarged and he has fluid in his lungs and was struggling to breath. He is on meds to get rid of the fluid and help his heart. He needs an ultra-sound soon but they need to get him stable at this point.

Not really an emergency vet but more of an emergency visit to a new vet. His regular vet should have done more tests up front.

[tribblegirl]

He is back home. His heart is very enlarged and he has fluid in his lungs and was struggling to breath. He is on meds to get rid of the fluid and help his heart. He needs an ultra-sound soon but they need to get him stable at this point.

Not really an emergency vet but more of an emergency visit to a new vet. His regular vet should have done more tests up front.

I really don't like most vets...like people docs, they are so rushed they don't take the time to do it right! Hope your puppy recovers quickly.

[KTMay]

He is back home. His heart is very enlarged and he has fluid in his lungs and was struggling to breath. He is on meds to get rid of the fluid and help his heart. He needs an ultra-sound soon but they need to get him stable at this point.

Not really an emergency vet but more of an emergency visit to a new vet. His regular vet should have done more tests up front.
Hmmmm. Glad you went to somebody new. Send him smoochie woochie poochie kisses from Aunty Katie.

[emelvee]

Poor dog. Hope he's ok. :comfort:

[BostonGirl]

He is back home. His heart is very enlarged and he has fluid in his lungs and was struggling to breath. He is on meds to get rid of the fluid and help his heart. He needs an ultra-sound soon but they need to get him stable at this point.

Not really an emergency vet but more of an emergency visit to a new vet. His regular vet should have done more tests up front.

Glad he got some help..hopefully he'll feel better soon. Keep us updated..

[rayzac]

So an update. Bear is slowly getting back to his normal self with the exception of his energy level. He was doing better yesterday afternoon and even ran to the door and was barking when someone rang the doorbell. Then last night around 9 pm he had what I think was a seizure. He was sleeping then sat up and lifted his front leg and it went very stiff and he began panting to the point of almost hyperventilating. I almost thought we were going to lose him since it was so bad. It last a couple minutes then he returned to normal.

So far today he has been good except still not wanting to eat much. His follow up is tomorrow so I hope they can tell us something more.

[tribblegirl]

So an update. Bear is slowly getting back to his normal self with the exception of his energy level. He was doing better yesterday afternoon and even ran to the door and was barking when someone rang the doorbell. Then last night around 9 pm he had what I think was a seizure. He was sleeping then sat up and lifted his front leg and it went very stiff and he began panting to the point of almost hyperventilating. I almost thought we were going to lose him since it was so bad. It last a couple minutes then he returned to normal.

So far today he has been good except still not wanting to eat much. His follow up is tomorrow so I hope they can tell us something more.

I would take him in right away if you think he had a seizure. Is he epileptic?

[rayzac]

Bear passed away tonight around 6.

I'll miss you, little monkey.

[damsel.]

I'm sorry, rayzac. :(

:comfort:

[veritableqndry]

Aw, shit. Sorry Ray. Rainbow Bridge & etc. :comfort:

[Princess Crunch]

I'm so sorry rayz. :comfort: :hug:

[Jacob80]

Bear passed away tonight around 6.

I'll miss you, little monkey.

I'm sorry to hear that. :(

[AggieMom]

:comfort: So sorry to hear it.

[Iaaaiws]

Sorry to hear about Bear

:hug:

[acesmuzic]

:sadwalk:

:hug:

[Crazylegs77]

Bear passed away tonight around 6.

I'll miss you, little monkey.

Sorry to hear it :(

[CowgirlMechanic]

Oh no!!.... :( My "ankle-biter" had heart issues and seizures for about a year before he went into a GrandMal non-stop for hours before passing away..... I'm so sorry you and your BF have had to endure the same pain.... :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Maleficent]

OMG, ray, you have the CUTEST little dogs I have ever seen! I hope he feels better soon! :hug:


What kind of dogs are they? And exactly how do you keep your carpet SOOO clean having a dog?


I have never seen a pet owner with carpet that clean before. :faint:

[BostonGirl]

Bear passed away tonight around 6.

I'll miss you, little monkey.

:( so sorry Ray..mine passed away 6 months after I posted about his congestion in this thread. Wonder if his heart, or what happened. It sucks.
It does get a little easier, but never 100% better..hang in there..:comfort:

OMG, ray, you have the CUTEST little dogs I have ever seen! I hope he feels better soon! :hug:


What kind of dogs are they? And exactly how do you keep your carpet SOOO clean having a dog?


I have never seen a pet owner with carpet that clean before. :faint:

I think you missed the update. :(

[Maleficent]

I think you missed the update. :(

I kinda skimmed the thread, I must have missed it!

OMG, this thread was started back in February! :facepalm:


Sorry about your dog, Ray. :(

[jenni.]

I'm really, really sorry Ray. :hug:

[Schooby]

:comfort: :down:

[SlicKitty]

Hi Ray,

I was going to post on Tuesday night that I lost my buddy. My cat-dog, Sir Gandalf Pissypaws (aka: Gandalf I'mafraidofStormsCrow) had to be taken the Emergency Room. They whisked him away from me, put him on oxygen, and I didn't get to see him again. I had to put him down, and in order to keep him on oxygen, I couldn't go see him unless they took him off. I couldn't do that to him.

So, the reason I'm posting it here is for a couple of reasons:
1. People can be nasty about cats, so I changed my mind about posting creating a thread on Weds. AM, because I didn't want to hear anything rude about my cat. I love him and I really do not want to hear it.

2. My cat's problem started in March with congestion, so we assumed he had Kennel Cough or an Upper Resp. Infection from the new kitten. When antiobiotics didn't work (we tried 3) and he lost 4 lbs., we gave him a steroid. He gained 1/2 lb. back, but the congestion didn't go away. Having been an Emergency Med Tech with a Surg Tech for a mother, I started thinking that he might have Congestive Heart Failure. When I came home from the gym on Tues. night, he was totally down for the count. I made a(nother) Vet appt for the following day, but as soon as I hung up the phone, his breathing was labored and awful, so I took him to the ER.

He did have Congestive Heart Failure and he also had Cancer and an Upper Respiratory Infection...poor guy. But it was the CHF that made it necessary to put him to sleep on Tues. We could have had more time if it had just been Cancer.

So, I wasn't going to post about it at all, but, because if you might be wondering what might have happened to Bear. I thought it sounds very much like what happened to Gandalf and it could have been CHF, depending on his age. Or maybe you know what it was...I can't tell.


3. I'm so sorry. Firsthand. Because I also just went through this and I can relate to how you feel.

:hug:

[rayzac]

Thanks everyone. Even though we knew this day was coming, it still is harder than I would have thought.


So, I wasn't going to post about it at all, but, because if you might be wondering what might have happened to Bear. I thought it sounds very much like what happened to Gandalf and it could have been CHF, depending on his age. Or maybe you know what it was...I can't tell.

I am sorry for your loss too :hug: It is hard. :sadwalk:

Yes, it was CHF. He was diagnosed back in February. They gave him 6 months to 2 years back then. He made it 8 months. He would have been 8 years old in 3 weeks.

He had been doing well until this past weekend. He started having some trouble breathing on Sunday but bounced back Monday night. He got bad again Thursday and yesterday we knew it was time. All of us were sitting with him on the floor while he rested. He got up, walked a little bit across the room, fell over and was gone.