Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone
I was wondering if people who have had dogs develop a cough with lung mets could tell me what kind of cough it is?
Betsy has always had this cough she does occasionally and its as if she is clearing her throat. It's something I never really paid attention to before as she has done it for years, obviously now everytime she does it my heart goes in my throat. My mum is visiting and she is convinced it is the same cough she has always had, and she has heard the cough of lung mets but only in humans but says it isn't how she would expect it. She is due to have her second round of chemo next week, she was meant to have another scan to see if there was any spreading after the 4th so I don't want to put her through it now if its just me being paranoid.
Also I should note I have noticed one of my other dogs doing a similar cough, so it could be that they both just have a cough.
Any advice / experience appreciated many thanks
Annie
Hi Annie,
My dog starting gagging when she developed lung mets and I didn't even associate her OSA with the gagging until I took her in for a chest xray and saw the tumors. What really was obvious with my dog was her tiredness and laying down all the time which was not like her so when I took her in I knew she had lung mets. I certainly understand not wanting to do more chemo if it's not going to do any good. We did metronomics but unfortunately in Maggie's case that didn't work. Good luck on any decision you make.
Penny
When Chance developed lung mets it was more of a gagging, like he was about to throw up, but nothing would come out. He had allergies too, and this was different from that. I'll try to post a video of his gag. Also, his respirations increased and he would get tired a lot faster after playing. This video was about an hour before we had to put him to sleep. The gag is toward the end. You can see how fast he was breathing. Here is the link
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
As with everything about this stupid piece of crap disease, each case is different....
MyHappy Hannah never developed a cough, or gagging or coughing up blood as some do. The breathing patterns did become more shallow, more rapid, over time. As with ADORABLE CHANCE and BEAUTIFUL MAGGIE, exhaustion also
Yeah, this journey can make you paranoid about everything! I really agree with your Mom though, if shew always had a cough, I doubt that this is anything to worry about, ESPECIALLY if your other pup jas developed a cough! Her lungs were clear at surgery just a few weeks ago and I REALLY don t think you jave anything to worry about at all! AND, one more thing now that I thing about it, sometimes some of my dogs who have had surgery jave developed a hacking, gagging kind of cough for several weeks as a result of the surgery tube downntheir throad.
Go make Betsy's tail wag and you will KNOW everything is fine in Betsy's world!!! 
Hugs to all!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Hi Annie. In our experience it's a dry hacking cough. But oftentimes what pawrents think is "The Cough" is really an allergy to current environmental triggers. The only way to really know is to have x-rays done. Usually if a dog has the mets cough, the mets are pretty visible by then.
I hope it's nothing and just a sign of allergens in the environment.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi guys thanks for the replies,
Sally what you said about the tube during surgery makes sense, mum said last time she had a big surgery she had the same kind of cough for ages (she used to be my mums dog before I got her 4 years ago). It is a dry cough but it does seem more like a throat thing, although I suppose I can't be sure. I might take her to my regular vets Monday and get them to have a listen to her chest, if they still are not sure I may have to request another scan when we go to the oncologist.
Will keep you posted
hope everyone is well
Annie and Betsy x
Hi everyone both my vet and the oncologist don't seem worried about the cough and its definately getting less frequent and Betsy is getting more active by the day so I think I can stop panicking now!
She just had her second round of chemo today all bloods were normal and she has come home had a play and gobbled up all her dinner so certainly not too phased by it 
She has also put back on the weight she lost when she went off the food after her amputation!
Very pleased with her and her eddies wheels is finally on the way so she will hopefully be out for a proper walk soon!
Thanks everyone
Annie x
YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! Made my day!! Can't stop grinning!!
Three trips to a drive-thru for burgers this week to celebrate...she gets the burger AND fries...you cannhave the lettuce and tomato!!!
HUGS!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Way to Go Betsy!!!!! Glad that annoying cough is getting better and it wasn't anything major. And I'm happy to hear she's putting some weight back on....but not too much...
Hugs!!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Bravo Betsy! This is fantastic news!
Can't wait to see you in your new wheels, do let us know how that goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh Annie looks like things are going great. Hooray for Betsie! Do you live in New England? I have a friend that used Eddies Wheels and they do a wonderful job. Keep the good news coming.
Thanks everyone
Laurie, no I live in England England ha ha so I've had to pay 100's of dollars on top just to get it delivered here (and have to pay £100 duty when I pick it up this evening!) but I just couldn't find any other companys closer that seemed to do true custom made carts with such good reviews. I really hope she takes quickly to it as she is a bit of a fussy monkey! I'm hoping she will be so happy about going for a walk she won't pay much attention to it! Will definately post some pictures or videos if she takes to it later
And Sahana don't worry she is a slim girl
Annie and Betsy x
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