Dog cough

Sarian · #1 05-10-2016, 03:41 PM

My beautiful dog has developed a cough. .It's not kennel cough, he was vaccinated for that when I had to board him for a couple days in spring. I took him to the vet but he simply said "I don't know. If it gets worse, he will need x-rays"...his office does not do x-rays. I was wondering if perhaps he chewed off pieces of a big bone and maybe inhaled some in his lungs? I'll try and find a vet who can give a better diagnosis and has x-ray machine...I'm just worried. Anyone have a dog that coughs and found the reason for it? (other than Kennel cough).. he does it mostly when he's excited...time to go for a walk, or ride or just hang out outside..

Thanks!

(He's a Shepherd/Husky mix)

Phoenix Rising · #2 05-10-2016, 05:32 PM

To the best of my knowledge the vaccine does not ensure your dog won't get kennel cough, it's just that it won't be as severe if he does. So I would ask this question and then see what advice they give you about this. Does the dog need antibiotics or is there a home remedy they can give you to dose the dog at home?

Some vets are now turning to other alternatives rather than the standard meds. Don't go on the advice of another, they do not know your dogs height, weight, allergies, other meds. he may be on, etc. and you do more harm than good! Always, always check with your vet before introducing something new to your pet, they know them best and the right dosage to give. Size does make a difference as to how much a pet can take without harm. In other words, what's good for 59 lb is not good for 10 lb one. This is why it is so important to always seek your vets advice first and foremost.

Sarian · #3 05-10-2016, 07:07 PM

He doesn't have kennel cough. He's not been around other dogs since May. I thought he may have gotten a bone fragment into his lung. He weighs 110 pounds. He's a big boy. Four years old. I did seek the vet out first, but I was curious if anyone has had this issue and what came of it. I will seek out another vet that has x-rays to see if he has something lodged in his lungs, but again, I was thinking of my dog at the moment and thought to ask here.

Tobi · #4 06-10-2016, 02:09 AM

Well, if I'd been that vet the first thing would have occurred to me would have been to take a complete blood analysis, take temperature etc. There may or may not be infectious agents involved. But at least that is one base covered.

Collapsed trachea is another possibility, although that is far more common in small dogs, it still might be possible....so is a cardiac problem. But the cough types are very different in each case.

This is a very good video which might help you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YuWHL8eSug

I would definitely say that if you are unsure of your vet's treatment or diagnosis, then do get a 2nd opinion from a different vet.

Sarian · #5 06-10-2016, 01:08 PM

Thanks, Tobi!

I'm surprised the regular vet didn't do any of that...going to watch the video now. And yes, I'm searching out another vet for a second opinion.