In order to let Jack play at the center down the street or in the dog parks, I needed to get his shots updated.  He's all set now with his shots, but now something else is minorly concerning me.  Jack likes to lick, like…alot.  I call him smackers because he gets to the point where his fur is so wet it just sounds like he's smacking instead of licking.  Well, when he's done, he tends to let out this big, hacking, cough, like he's letting go of a hairball.  He has also been snoring a LOT lately and sounds congested sometimes when he breathes in through his nose.  His vet said his heart and lungs sound great and that his gums look the perfect color, so she thinks it's probably allergies which, for some reason, dogs are prone to get after moving to WA (who knew!).  So, he does do the "met" cough, but it's not consistant, and not daily, and pretty much only after excessive licking (or inhaling of food…).  Has anyone else been told this before?  Just thought I'd add this update :)

<3 Laura and congested Jack

Thank you for your response!  Made me feel a little better to know that this actually can happen :)

Poor Jack, Zoe does the same thing like she is trying to cough up a fur ball.  She has had allergies her whole life, even with allergy shots she still licks and chews her paws all the time.  I'm sure your vet probably recommended things but something like Benadryl or prescription Hydroxyzine would help.  Also Fish oil, if he isn't already taking it, I think would be of benefit. Hopefully it is just a seasonal thing and will go away.  It is great news that his heart and lungs sound good.

Jack is a big foot chewer, and often scratches behind his ears…hmmmmm….  Its funny, but I never would have thought twice about this behavior before diagnosis, but now it's like, everything he does means something :P  Anyhoo, thanks to my vet that works Saturday and my dad who had no plans today, Jack was able to get a Hydroxyzine perscription filled and picked up while I spent the day at work.  We'll see if it helps!  Also, no coughing at all so far today, so either he's licking less or his mets aren't bothering him :P (this is what I get for not doing x-rays…I don't know the real cause.  But at least we can hope it's allergies!!!)

<3 Laura and Jackers

I'm not sure, I would think if there isn't ear infections and all the other scratching and licking, it may just be either local irritation or possibly a habit.  Before Zoe was started on allergy shots she would chew her paws til they bled, at least now its not that intense.  I know this sounds weird but when her allergies were bad her feet would get that yeasty smell too.