frenzal rhomb Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 (edited) my six year old portugeuse water dog has recently started to cough on exertion - not much, one or two hacks and then a gagging like cough like a hairball and then done. I have googled this and read all the horror stories about heart disease and tracheal collapse He also has recently had some green goop in his eyes and drops have resolved this. He hasnt lost weight and looks otherwise healthy. I have burned alot of leaves lately and he has a new buddy - we have a new puppy and they do a ton of wrestling. This puppy goes to puppy daycare and obedience where he is among other dogs but this place is very strict about verifying shots etc He seems happy and otherwise content, good appetite etc. Anyone think this is more than a common coldkennel cough, etc or is a trip to vet ASAP warranted ?? My dog gets heartworm and frontine regularly as well and has had the bordetella shots, canine inluenza etc and just had his annual physical last month and came up clean. Edited November 25, 2012 by frenzal rhomb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 my six year old portugeuse water dog has recently started to cough on exertion - not much, one or two hacks and then a gagging like cough like a hairball and then done. I have googled this and read all the horror stories about heart disease and tracheal collapse He also has recently had some green goop in his eyes and drops have resolved this. He hasnt lost weight and looks otherwise healthy. I have burned alot of leaves lately and he has a new buddy - we have a new puppy and they do a ton of wrestling. This puppy goes to puppy daycare and obedience where he is among other dogs but this place is very strict about verifying shots etc He seems happy and otherwise content, good appetite etc. Anyone think this is more than a common coldkennel cough, etc or is a trip to vet ASAP warranted ?? My dog gets heartworm and frontine regularly as well and has had the bordetella shots, canine inluenza etc and just had his annual physical last month and came up clean. Based on the green goop, this could be allergies. See if benedryl helps. For a PWD, you can give one 25 mg pill and be safe. My concern is this is happening after exertion which could be heart related. My dog has a rare disease called lymphangiectasia which started out as a cough similar to what you are describing. Then it lead to weight loss and diarrhea. The cough was though to be caused by fluid build up around the heart and lungs which was the case, but they drained the fluid. The thing is she still has the cough, and the vets assume it is because the disease affected her heart. We won't unless we do an ECG. The thing is she has had this cough for two years and is 11 1/2 with no decline in health. She doesn't ever cough after exertion, it is more when just hanging and resting. BTW, this is rare but a genetic disease that is turning up in PWDs. If he starts to get diarrhea or is bloated, but losing weight, have a vet do blood tests to check protein levels and ALB. 90% of the vets out there don't know what this is. It usually takes a GP vet sending the patient to an astute vet internist to properly diagnose. If you know low protein, low cholestrol, and elevated ALB is a red flag (which many vets don't know), then you are on your way. This is a stretch that your dog has this, but good to know. Most dogs die of this disease because it is diagnosed too late or not at all. BTW, my dog didn't lose weight because she was carrying weight as fluid. It was when we drained the fluid that we discovered she had actually lost 13 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 Based on the green goop, this could be allergies. See if benedryl helps. For a PWD, you can give one 25 mg pill and be safe. My concern is this is happening after exertion which could be heart related. My dog has a rare disease called lymphangiectasia which started out as a cough similar to what you are describing. Then it lead to weight loss and diarrhea. The cough was though to be caused by fluid build up around the heart and lungs which was the case, but they drained the fluid. The thing is she still has the cough, and the vets assume it is because the disease affected her heart. We won't unless we do an ECG. The thing is she has had this cough for two years and is 11 1/2 with no decline in health. She doesn't ever cough after exertion, it is more when just hanging and resting. BTW, this is rare but a genetic disease that is turning up in PWDs. If he starts to get diarrhea or is bloated, but losing weight, have a vet do blood tests to check protein levels and ALB. 90% of the vets out there don't know what this is. It usually takes a GP vet sending the patient to an astute vet internist to properly diagnose. If you know low protein, low cholestrol, and elevated ALB is a red flag (which many vets don't know), then you are on your way. This is a stretch that your dog has this, but good to know. Most dogs die of this disease because it is diagnosed too late or not at all. BTW, my dog didn't lose weight because she was carrying weight as fluid. It was when we drained the fluid that we discovered she had actually lost 13 pounds. good info - I would also like to point out that my dog is a rescue and the reason he is a rescue is becasue he was in a lab at the university of Penn. He is a carrier of the canine cardiomyopathy gene. Hes not supposed to get it but he would pass it along. Does this change your opinion at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 good info - I would also like to point out that my dog is a rescue and the reason he is a rescue is becasue he was in a lab at the university of Penn. He is a carrier of the canine cardiomyopathy gene. Hes not supposed to get it but he would pass it along. Does this change your opinion at all? I am confused that he is a carrier but not supposed to get it? If there is heart disease in his line, I would get it checked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 I am confused that he is a carrier but not supposed to get it? If there is heart disease in his line, I would get it checked out. Well it was my understanding that he is a carrier of the gene but would not develop the condition. Im no scientist but its my understanding that its a recessive gene in my dog and he wasnt likely to develop it genetically but his offspring would develop it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I am not a canine geneticist either. If it is heart disease, waiting a week or so to see if symptoms subside may not put him in danger. If he is panting a lot and lethargic, maybe so. Is he sneezing? Does he have a runny nose? Both hard to gauge unless paying attention. Sneezing goes easily unnoticed and when dogs have a running nose they quickly wipe with their tongue. If so,this could then be due to a "doggy flu" and dogs get flu strains like we do. With kennel cough, not all strains are immunized by the bordatella vaccine, only the common strains. Or it could be allergies. When he sneezes, if he coughs immediately after, this could be a sign of heart disease. Same goes for people. My biggest concern is this is happening only after exertion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Gonna watch him another day or two - if it continues were off to the doggy doc. Thanks for your time and heres hoping for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Hope it's nothing. BTW, this isn't happening while being walked on a choke chain is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 (edited) Hope it's nothing. BTW, this isn't happening while being walked on a choke chain is it? Nope hes a great loose leash walker so I dont use a choke collar on him at all- typically when we play frisbee is what precipitates the cough. He didint do it this morning Edited November 26, 2012 by frenzal rhomb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I do hope this is nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 I do hope this is nothing. Thanks for all of your help - Ive been though a lot with this dog - he was a rescue and then about a year and a half ago he was attacked by a Mastiff while I was walking him and nearly killed. He coughed a little this morning while we were playing frisbee but we have had some snow and cold weather but it stops soon after we stop and he has norecovery time issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Is he starting to develop a hoarse bark? If so, it could be early stages of Laryngeal Paralysis, which would have a better prognosis than heart problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 Is he starting to develop a hoarse bark? If so, it could be early stages of Laryngeal Paralysis, which would have a better prognosis than heart problems. No I wish he had a hoarse bark though (just kidding). He got that nice loud PWD howling bark. Im pretty sure he's fine after this mornings romp. Maybe just a passing cold - I do appreciate all of your hep and insight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.