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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Coughing / gagging - ideas?
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Member Since:
27 August 2014
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6 September 2016 - 6:46 pm
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I'm putting this in Anything Goes because it's not related to Jack's amputation (which was the result of an injury), but if you think it's better in Ask A Vet, feel free to move it!

I'm at the end of my rope with a health issue and wondering if anyone here has thoughts on what could be causing a strange cough/gag that Jack has had since late April. What happens is she will stand up very suddenly and cough (which sounds like a long, raspy exhale) once, followed by a single gag once or twice a day. It's not brought on by anything except when she pulls on her harness - exercise/excitement otherwise don't induce it. It happens semi-regularly first thing in the morning when she's just woken up and other than that it's random, which is why I haven't been able to catch it on video. It hasn't gotten worse since it started, but it also hasn't gotten any better.Ā 

We've been to the vet and she's stumped. It's not a collapsing trachea, nor does she have have heartworm or kennel cough. She doesn't have any other symptoms associated with heart disease from a physical examination. We've tried Benadryl, which hasn't made a difference, and have switched to a harness instead of a collar. She seems generally fine otherwise, though I sometimes think she's breathing loudly, but that may be a result of the heat we've had this summer.Ā 

We're going to go back to the vet and I think x-rays are next (ugh...), but I'm wondering if anyone has heard of similar symptoms so I can prepare myself or other thingsĀ to look out for or discuss with my vet.Ā 

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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6 September 2016 - 7:07 pm
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I've heard people talk about a reverse sneeze - I wonder if it could be that?Ā  I don't really know too much about it though.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & MurphyĀ 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17 Ā 
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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6 September 2016 - 7:14 pm
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As I was readi g it, I was thinking along the same lines as you and yojr vet...trachea swelling/collapsing stuff ...especially since it was related (seemingly) to pulling in tne harness.

Not related to eating or drinking, right? So not related to the esophagus? Just throwing stuff out there.

I think you definitely ought to post under "Ask the Vet". I know the word xray sounds scary, but, in Jack's case I think you'll find that IF it shows "something" it woukd be very treatable.

Yeah, I'd love to see what Dr Pam says.

And to say not to worry....okay...I know better!!!

Lots of love!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

PS. And btw, we need a video of Miss DC Philly Jack slurping a Puppy Latte! šŸ™‚

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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7 September 2016 - 9:59 am
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Hope Michelle doesn't mind that I'm sharing this..........ironically, she just took Jasmine in yesterday for a cough/hack. Vet said it was unexplained trachea irritation and prescribe Hicodon (something like that). May be totally different from Miss Jack's issue, but just thought Id mention it.

heart

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
27 August 2014
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7 September 2016 - 10:14 am
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Thanks, Sally - that's reassuring to hear. Yes, it's a trachea issue and right now it is 'unexplained irritation', so it's nice to know that this specificĀ diagnosis could be an end point (as in, there may not be a scary terrible thing that we find through further examination). I just wish we could figure it out - I hate seeing her cough like this!


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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7 September 2016 - 10:17 am
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You absolutely need an xray since that is the only way to identify tracheal collapse vs heart failure vs bronchitis. Ā If this has been going on since April I would bet it is allergic bronchitis and your dog might need a short course of Temaril-P or other prednisone. Ā Sometimes if they have COPD I add a bronchodilator such as theophylline and sometimes an antibiotic such as doxycycline. Ā If the cough persists you can add Hycodan (a narcotic cough suppressant).

Pam

Member Since:
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7 September 2016 - 10:35 am
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Thanks, Pam. This is all helpful and will be good to have in mind when we go in for x-rays next week.Ā 

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