Hacking/Coughing Concern

[Danielle]

My dog has been carrying around an abnormal hacking/cough for quite a number of weeks. When she "hacks", it sounds like she needs to throw up but nothing has ever come up. She has been tested for a number of things. She had blood taken, stool sample evaluated and her lungs were x-rayed. The vet thought she might have a lungworm and my dog was put on meds for 14 days. The coughing definitely subsided but now she's finished with the meds and there is still some coughing and I'm getting rather concerned as to what this might be?? She definitely does NOT have kennel cough. Otherwise, she's as healthy as can be - eats well and is energetic. Still, I'm getting more worried because even the vet is puzzled that she hasn't gotten better. Any ideas of what she might have??

 

[JRT_Rattie_Mom]

I'm sure not an expert... but it seems if the vet hasn't been able to find a normal "cause" for this... has he/she considered it might be allergies of some sort? I sure hope you can figure out the cause of this, and find some relief for the coughing!

 

[Renee750il]

It could very well be just a case of bronchitis. My Mom had a little Terrier mix who got it every winter. The vet's specified treatment was keeping her warm, covering her chest when she went out (and not letting her stay out) and size appropriate doses of old fashioned Creomulsion for Children.

 

[Desteny]

My dog, Bishop, has that too...It seems to be all over Oregon state. That can't seem to figuer out what's causing it, but allergy medicine gets rid of the cough. They aren't sure what is causing it...a plant or what have you. Dogs started getting it over here this year for the first time ever. maybe you can talk to your vet about that. I hope this helps you in some way.

 

[Danielle]

Allergies was ruled out by the vet. And it seemed that the vet didn't think it was bronchitis either. Like I said, it seems like more of a hacking than a coughing and somewhat of a heaving at the same time..... I'm really boggled. Though, if it was something really serious, I'm sure she'd be showing other signs such as fatigue or loss of energy. If it was bronchitis, how long could that last and wouldn't that have shown on a lung x-ray??

 

[Renee750il]

Bronchitis doesn't necessarily show up on an x-ray, or on a veterinarian's radar for that matter. It's one of those old fashioned ailments that doesn't have any expensive, sexy new treatment.

At some point, when you can't find out exactly what's causing the cough, it's time to treat the symptoms (the cough itself). Part of the reason your dog is sounding like she is heaving along with the unproductive cough could be that she's just coughed until it's kicking in her gag reflex. Long term unproductive coughs are self-perpetuating: the longer the cough lasts, the more irritated the throat becomes, triggering more coughing.

 

[winonajane]

Definitely not kennel cough

Danielle, please email me about your dogs symptoms. I have dogs with the same symptoms. WJ

 

[winonajane]

My dog has same symptoms

Allergies was ruled out by the vet. And it seemed that the vet didn't think it was bronchitis either. Like I said, it seems like more of a hacking than a coughing and somewhat of a heaving at the same time..... I'm really boggled. Though, if it was something really serious, I'm sure she'd be showing other signs such as fatigue or loss of energy. If it was bronchitis, how long could that last and wouldn't that have shown on a lung x-ray??

I am new to this and don't know exactly how to do a post in reply but the curser works here. I will post complete symptoms in animal health. WJ

 

[agilitydobemom]

I agree with Renee about the Bronchitis have it checked out further it is the time of the year for this also could she possibly have somthing stuck in her thorat even though she is coughing alot it still maybe stuck like a piece of plastic or somthing has your vet done an exam by looking down the throat or maybe even a floroscopy

 

[agilitydobemom]

That is a concern Serena I just assumed the dog was young but I would also look into that

 

[poodlesmom]

I was having the same problem with my 5 1/2 yo standard poodle. He wasn't actually coughing - it was more of an unproductive retching as tho he was trying to get something out of his throat. It wasn't hard nor was it continuous but almost 2 years ago he had emergency surgery for bloat & torsion so I do tend to get very concerned. I took him to the vet and after a bunch of xrays, etc. it ended up being post nasal drip which apparently is caused by allergies which was aggravating his esphogus (sp?). He is now on benadryl and that has completely taken care of it.

 

[JRT_Rattie_Mom]

Allergies was ruled out by the vet. And it seemed that the vet didn't think it was bronchitis either. Like I said, it seems like more of a hacking than a coughing and somewhat of a heaving at the same time..... I'm really boggled. Though, if it was something really serious, I'm sure she'd be showing other signs such as fatigue or loss of energy. If it was bronchitis, how long could that last and wouldn't that have shown on a lung x-ray??

Danielle,

I haven't seen anyone mention this as a possibility (and since you said in your original post you'd seen your vet.. just assumed this was ruled out?) but there is something called a "reverse sneeze" that is described by dog owners in so many different ways, coughing, gagging, snorting, honking and wheezing.. (and funny thing unlike the name, I've never heard anyone say it sounds like a "sneeze") It is a common trait in toy breed dogs. Both of mine do it (Lucy only once in a while when she gets excited) but Holly has times where she does it more often (her vet thinks is is partly due to a "collapsed trachea") and she makes a noise like the "reverse sneeze" to open up the rings in her trachea, mostly after she has been sleeping. I think your dog is a larger breed if I remember correctly... so not sure if this would be a possibility, but thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[Danielle]

Got a Diagnosis!

Thank you all so much for all your suggestions and support!! Sorry that I haven't been on in a while to respond. Just today I received a diagnosis from the vet. I had to take Rosie to the specialist where they did a scope of her throat with a whole series of cultures. She has Allergic Airway Disease and will have to be put on prednisone. I suspected from the very beginning that it might be allergies but the vet was the one who discouraged my suspicions. Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about this ailment and if there's anything I should know. I'm just curious if this is going to be something she'll carry around for life or will it get better? Will it get worse? Anyone know?

 

[Renee750il]

Try to find a vet who can or will treat this with something other than prednisone! The stuff can be deadly. It's strongly linked to tumors, although many vets like to pooh-pooh the relationship because prednisone is a quick, easy, cheap fix that makes them look like heroes because it gives such dramatic relief. Your dog pays dearly for it down the road, though.

 

[JRT_Rattie_Mom]

She has Allergic Airway Disease and will have to be put on prednisone. I suspected from the very beginning that it might be allergies but the vet was the one who discouraged my suspicions. Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about this ailment and if there's anything I should know. I'm just curious if this is going to be something she'll carry around for life or will it get better? Will it get worse? Anyone know?

Hi Danielle,

Sorry to hear about Rosie. I found this information online that might be helpful?
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dallergy.html#Food and Inhalant Allergy

 

[winonajane]

The vet I signed up with online had me put my dogs on a sulfa drug but my little IG immediately started developing more nasal problems with more sneezing and even some gagging. I'm putting him back on the Augmentin tomorrow. I know from the first time he gets worse fast. I'm having puppies being born in a few days and even though we have cleaned everything including the female I am very scared these puppies might get it too. Danielle, what have you tried with your dog? Everything that has been tested for is not what mine has including allergies,kennel cough, aspergillis and more. I'm thinking of calling the vets in the area the breeder lives that I got my puppy from and ask them is they have seen it before. WJ

 

[Renee750il]

Calling the area vets is a good idea.

Sulfa drugs have a high incidence of allergic reaction, so that might have caused the increased nasal and gagging problems.

 

[winonajane]

Also sorry to hear about Rosie. I just saw her picture and she looks relaxed and nice. I don't know anything about the disease but i do know about Prednizone. It is not good but if nothing else works then its better than nothing. Its okay for 2 weeks. I have been on it myself and it makes me really sick while fixing my symptoms. At least you have a diagnosis. I hope I have one also. Sinus Mites. All the money i have spent on tests because my vet said no. Ron Hines online vet came up with this. WJ

 

[pitbulliest]

If its only been happening recently, I'd go check with a vet...but I know for my Chihuahua, he's basically had the problem his entire life..certain small breed dogs have problems with contracted air pipes..and only way you can change it is with surgery..which is darn expensive..and well...its not absolutely necessary...my dog hacks after he drinks, for example...and then he's fine...just gotta live with it

(note: I just read the first post on this thread so if I'm repeating something lol its not my fault! lol)

 

[winonajane]

hacking coughing

I have waited the week to see if it was nasal mites but she is no btter so its not that. Still no diagnosis for me. My Whippet is starting to sniff and sneeze. I'm really discouraged. This is spreading to all my dogs. WJ