Old Dog Cough

[whitestar505]

Hi All,

Have an older Cocker (14) who just keeps coughing and coughing. We have taken her to the vet but he could not find anything wrong even with X-rays. She slows down when we give her a narcotic that the vet gave us but as soon as we stop she is back coughing to include all night long. She is driving my wife and myself sleepless. HELP!! We have given her some cat hairball med but she keeps on coughing. Have any ideas????

[dlaura]

So sorry to hear about Sparkle's coughing problem. I haven't any suggestions, but I am sure someone will be along with some thoughts. There is a vet on the site, I think it his user name is DVM and you might start a thread to him and he will answer.

Glad to see you back- it has been a while since you've been here.

[originalfatc]

My 13 year old beagle does the same thing. Pressure on his collar makes him cough. Dust, smoke and too dry air makes him cough.

Our only respite is a bit of Robitussen (and that is NOT FUN to get that into him!)

I forgot exactly what it is called, but there is no *fix*

[whitestar505]

dsimko,


""Glad to see you back- it has been a while since you've been here.""

I do peak in every so offen. I have two Grandkids (3,4 years)living with me if you know what I mean ?

[whitestar505]

originalfatc,

""I forgot exactly what it is called, but there is no *fix*""


Tell me some more, no fix?

[originalfatc]

It's something about his trachea muscles weakening. All we can do is soothe the problem, not fix the cause.

[judymomrn]

Has the dog been checked for heart worm, because I've heard that often they will cough if they have heart worm. Or has the dog been boarded lately because they can pick up kennel cough. Just some thoughts to consider. Hope things improve for your dog.

[whitestar505]

judymomrn,

Checked for heartworm, yes, and any heart problems that a dog has will cough. Vet saids, she is good to go in that department. Kennal cough, well she has never been boarded, so she may have got it but don't think so... It might be worth a shot ha!

[dlaura]

whitestar505, yes, I can imagine what you mean!

[whitestar505]

All,

Have another appointment with the Vet today at 9:30. We feel we have to do something.. More durgs ?????? Will keep you all posted .

:confused:

[RWDVM]

When presented with a chronically coughing older medium breed dog, 3 disease processes come to mind immediately: heart disease, infectious upper and/or lower respiratory disease, chronic bronchitis, or cancer. While collapsing trachea was a good thought, this is a condition found most commonly in toy breed dogs, and age of onset is typically young to middle aged.

Since chest x-ray was normal, I would try the dog on a 10 day course of a broad spectrum antibiotic to rule out chronic kennel cough. If there was no improvement, I would then recommend an ultrasound of the chest. Ultrasound provides much greater soft tissue detail than x-ray, able to pick up on smaller lesions of the lungs and/or heart that may not be evident on x-ray. Once a definitive diagnosis is obtained, treatment may then be fine tuned. I am not an advocate of giving narcotic cough suppressants without having a conclusive diagnosis. While this will provide immediate relief, it may simply mask and potentially worsen an underlying disease process. Best of luck to you. I hope you were able to get more answers this time around. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me through the board, or visit my veterinary advice and health management website at the web address below.

Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com

[whitestar505]

RWDVM,

Thanks for the info. As you have already stated, I did get the answers I had questions on. The Vet this time put her on an antibiotic and the narc. . She is good while on the meds but if you miss a med time frame she starts all over again. There was mention of getting a ultrasound if this did not work. He stated that her heart sounded OK, but could not tell much from that.

We are into the sixth day on the meds now. I am keeping my figures crossed....

[lachins]

Hi WhiateStar,

I read your note - I have a 13 year old Silky Terrier who recently got some congestion. I know that's not the same as a cough but it's similar. Anyway, I've got to email you back but my vet gave him some pills that worked - the congestion is completely gone. I'm going to give you the name of both types of pills (the first kind didn't really work). My vet also gave him a cortisone shot that worked too. There were 14 pills that I had to give him twice a day for seven days. I saw where someone mentioned you should give him Robitussun. Please try it (make sure you get the correct dose - for example, becuase of my dog's size and weight, I only gave him either a half teaspoon or a teaspoon). Becuase it's really hard to get them to take liquids, I purchased a dropper, put the right amount in it and squeezed it in a chewy treat that he likes - believe me when I tell you it worked. I'll email you back with the name of the medications and you can check with your vet on trying it.

[whitestar505]

Hey Lachins,

I am very glad your dog is doing fine. As for mine, I have taken her to the Vet and he suggested that I make an appointment to see another vet for a echo cardio gram test. So I have made the appointment which is 17 Feb. Mean while she is still on the narcotic. This med works but is very costly. So we are waiting for the appointment.


Originally posted by lachins
Hi WhiateStar,

I read your note - I have a 13 year old Silky Terrier who recently got some congestion. I know that's not the same as a cough but it's similar. Anyway, I've got to email you back but my vet gave him some pills that worked - the congestion is completely gone. I'm going to give you the name of both types of pills (the first kind didn't really work). My vet also gave him a cortisone shot that worked too. There were 14 pills that I had to give him twice a day for seven days. I saw where someone mentioned you should give him Robitussun. Please try it (make sure you get the correct dose - for example, becuase of my dog's size and weight, I only gave him either a half teaspoon or a teaspoon). Becuase it's really hard to get them to take liquids, I purchased a dropper, put the right amount in it and squeezed it in a chewy treat that he likes - believe me when I tell you it worked. I'll email you back with the name of the medications and you can check with your vet on trying it.

[lachins]

Hi Whitestar,

I got your message - please keep me/us posted on how your baby is doing!

[whitestar505]

Lachins,

If you like to know more about Sparkle you can go to this web site. http://www.cockeradoption.com/sparkle.htm. After read this you will under stand why I am so driven to see that she gets the best care possible. Will keep you posted.

[whitestar505]

Folks,

This problem is turing out to be two roads. During Sparkles heart test, which turned out to be fine by the way, they discovered she has a form of C.O.P.D. and Possible Cushing Disease which is being tested for today. My poor girl is hanging in there. I have had so many e-mail message wishing her well that I wish I could tell her and she would understand. Thanks All, and I will keep you posted!

[whitestar505]

Hi All,

Well, Sparkle is getting a little better than she was a week or two ago. The Lysodren is working so far. The vet took her off the Torbutrol meds and put her on three pills a day of Theophylline. She is getting bad again in this area. She keeps coughing and coughing, not as hard as before yet. Weight may have a factor on her coughing. She is a big girl these days. She has a bad thyroid also.