29 replies to this topic

[dobbiehearted]

its been awhile and I dont come on everyday .... but here I am need some help or if anyone has seen this before.

Tuesday nighe I left him for 2 hours and he barked the entire time.. just a constant low bark... I am including this for possible vocal cord stress..

Wed.. Loki wears a body harness so his neck is never pulled by a leash pressure.. He was on the porch and I was holding his collar.. he moved forward and choked what I considered totally normal for that pressure... that night he was fine...

Thurs I notice he is starting to cough each time he barks.. one two barks and then this coughing.. it is not exactly like DCM cough.. but a cough.. then he coughs a few times and gags just like we do if we cough to deep.. then he retches a little and I caress his neck.. he stopped each time.. I am concerned by this and going to vet 10 am Friday for nail clipping...so plan is to wait till then.. last week he had another vet visit and had heart check... and blood work.. no issues...

He is still eating/drinking and acting like himself through this entire thing..

Friday today morning... he steps out of bed and a few steps and he starts this honking and coughing.. retching... and gagging. scared the crap out of me.. he is not stopping..looks like he is struggling to breath... I go outside and try to calm him.. he goes to pee while this coughing is going on.. not like he has no control, normal.. he is wheezing and coughing. then poops again like normal.. I stand there and pet him and it starts again a bit more.. I rush to Specialists Emergency...

they take him and check him for any vitals that are off. all ok.. now he seems better and like himself again.. he does the cough a little in front of the tech now and then.. she explains to the doctor.. they do an exray both sides to check throat.. nothing.. do a heart ecg.. and a chest exray.. for dcm. all ok.. no fluid.. no enlargement.. none of that.. doctors tells me he is totally perplexed. no signs of phenonmial.. no signs of any blockage.. no sounds of heavy or off breathing.. none of this makes sense..

he gives him antibiotics that is motivated for mucas break up and lung type issues.. tells me after the $500.00 dollar 5 hours there....of testing. (and I really do think good examinations)... go home watch him. watch for blood in mucas if he coughs that up-- get him back there..... take him in the steamed bathroom for a bit to breath that way...

so this afternoon he is still doing this.. now he doesnt even need a bark to cough this way now... he coughs and then does the gag thing and then the retching.... nothing has ever come up other than a little spit and once some clear mucas... he has held his food down.. nothing has changed in his diet or has ate anything odd that I know of..

any ideas.. I am watching him like a hawk.. heart on alert for breakage.. trying to be sensible. when he starts to cough.. I just caress him and calm him.. he does the routine described above and then stops.. this is not normal.. I am thinking like us when we cough too much, we can gag.. . and have that dry heeve thing. that is what he is doing...

not sure guys..have googled this and nothing is coming up. I know this is strange and vague.. Specialists were looking at him this morning. no idea.. could it be vocal cord damage from barking so much?.. could I have damaged his throat from that what I would consider very normal pressure?.. remember it was clearly associated with barking yesterday and Wed night.. now today need not be any barking..

I am constantly checking gums..they are pink and respond to the touch test.. his breathing seems to be normal 30 beats per minute.. any ideas???

again, this is not normal or a way he should be...??-- thanks I will check back shortly.. please mention anything no matter what you may think... thanks..

[doberpagegirl]

I don't know what is happening with Loki, but Al had something similar. She started coughing, my mind started whispering "DCM" and off to the vet's we went. He could just squeeze her throat and she would cough. Heart was normal, lungs normal, appetite normal, etc. He thought it might have been an allergy since it was only in her throat. We just kept an eye on it and it went away. It wasn't to the point of dry heaving though like you are describing with Loki. We will keep him in our prayers. Try not to worry too much, I know, easier said than done.

[Bumpette]

If heart and lung tests are normal, that is good. I was wondering about an allergy too. I am sure the plant life down that way is waking up after their long winter's nap by now, and the pollen would be out. Sorry I'm not more help. Keep us updated, and give Loki a hug from us.

[dobbiehearted]

as you all know.. up now with not a good nights sleep.. this is not a big deal other than the memories it brings... that sense of oh my what now...

I dont panic as much when he starts this coughing as I try and tell myself it will stop... and it does.. but the first cough then the middle and the gagging.. poor Loki..

I am going to call Dr. R, you mentioned Sharon ..thanks so much... I need someone that doesnt charge 80.00 per question. I know they have prices to follow, but vet care for the well being of your dog should not balance on whether one can afford a surprise 1000 that day.. I just cant... this makes me sick... I was standing at the check out window at the hospital with Loki.. the peoples bills were 700... 800 1200.... lots of them were having kemo treatments.. I asked you pay this each visit? one lady said once a month.... I felt jealously to be able to do that.. I am never jealous.. I hate the economy is a factor in this for me... I can always afford good food, toys and a loving life--- regular and routine vet bills, for any dog I will bring home.. but the surprise vet bills kill me... they scare me when I still dont even know what is wrong so I can move forward or at least have a plan...

Bump and Sarah, I never thought about allergies and either did they-- good suggestion.. I do walk him quite a bit.. watch him like a hawk on anything he may lick or put near his mouth.. nothing in the backyard is new or different.. he got here last June 1st so maybe April and May are allergy months and I missed them last year... I will ask them about this..

we did the laying in the bathroom last night with the hot water providing steam.. Seemed as if I got the most benefit from it as I felt very cleansed in my breathing, but Loki just looked at me with truly total confusion.. "why the heck are we in here laying down on this blanket???" gosh they provide us with so much laughter and love.. everyday as we all know...

when he got attacked by that doberman threatning squirrel, I did pretty good not running to the vet.. tried to be calm and make intelligent decisions on using some antibiotics I had here.. stopped the bleeding with gentle compress... and called to see what to watch out for.. he healed up nice.. no vet bill.. so I am trying to not be Miss Panic.. but when I have no idea what the heck to do, or expect or to anticipate any kind of direction of getting well or even percentage of not--- this is what is sooo frustrating...

so another day upon us-- here we go.. poor Loki... in and out of reading/googling coughing in dogs all night...I have been catching up on reading all the happy and funny.. and sometime heart breaking posts out here -- enjoying all the photos... these dogs are so wonderful. and you dobbie lovers are too... Thank you Lori, Sarah and Sharon... I know I write too much..sorry

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[Bumpette]

Bump and Sarah, I never thought about allergies and either did they-- good suggestion.. I do walk him quite a bit.. watch him like a hawk on anything he may lick or put near his mouth.. nothing in the backyard is new or different.. he got here last June 1st so maybe April and May are allergy months and I missed them last year... I will ask them about this..

That is why I was leaning towards allergies, because I knew you hadn't had him over a year yet and I have known dogs that have had seasonal allergies.

Nice pictures of Loki, you have one handsome boy!

[Arda]

Try Benedryl. It will make him sleepy but if it's allergies, it will help. I have several doing that same thing here. Poor Rocky's eyes look like heck. Don't know whether to treat for kennel cough or allergies. The cheapest and easiest is allergies. If that doesn't work we bring out the big guns - Cephalexan.
Remember - it's a long way from his heart. Don't run him to the specialists.

[dobbiehearted]

goooooosh-- Thank you very much.. Arda, this makes me feel so much better that this may be it (allergies) and some of your babies are doing that there.. wow-- it just scared me so when he wouldnt stop Friday morning as I thought he couldnt breathe..... it lasted a good 10 mins or so yesterday... it freaked me out..

I am going to vote for allergies and this morning.... dare I say it is just a tiny bit better-- it has subsided every so slightly... I am not freaking when it starts as I know now it does end. It is still a bit scary as he seems to not be able to catch his breath.. until its over then he seems ok... The doctor put him on Docycycline.. 2 twice a day... said it was more for lung and mucas issues in case.... wonder why the specialist did not think of allergies.... I am still glad we ruled out at a very high percentage heart/dcm and something lodged in his throat.. he loves sticks and I try to stop this but he always finds one.. I have clean proper raw hide bones out there, he prefers the nasty rain soaked, stinky-muddy, bark caroaded twigs???

Gosh I feel better.. thanks guys-- still keeping a very watchful eye, but at least there is some reference of your dogs Arda.. and Lori and Sarah suggestions make sense.. thank you !!

I miss it out here...

[doberpagegirl]

Loki looks really good soaking up the sunshine.

[oreo5129]

not kennel cough, right?

[dcarl47312]

Hi Janet;
I read this and didn't post because I've never experienced it and everybody here is so much more knowledgable,but my first thought was also allergies from either pollen or winter mold that's thawing.I'm surprised the vet didn't mention the possibility,it's kind of discouraging,I'd think as soon as they eliminated DCM and cancer in his lung that would be the logical next step especially this time of year!! I've noticed just in the last few days that Shiloh keeps trying to eat everything green that's coming up so I have to watch her carefully or she'll be eating grass and weeds and come in and puke!! Could there be some plant in your yard that's coming up that he's getting into?Hopefully Loki will either stop coughing on his own or will prove to have spring allergies that are easily(and inexpensively) treated.Good luck!!!! Don

[Cheri]

Janet,

Any news on Loki? How's he doing?

[dobbiehearted]

thanks for asking and posting soooo much...

Today, he is better by 30--50 percentage.. it is going in the right direction.. the coughing is now less and when it happens he doesnt panic and I dont either.. I know it will stop.. he then goes back to what ever he was doing. example today he woke from a nap and started this coughing and then stretched whild doing it.. now it doesnt last as long as the other day last week, when he coughed for 15 mins straight and sent me into a panic.. I thought he couldnt breathe ..it was scary..

I duno-- I keep thinking why did they not think of the allergies..???? they did rule out emergency signs of dcm..or any heart issues, fluid ect.. so I agree with that how he was coughing. then the something in the throat.. agree with ruling that out too. then the lungs for phenonmia (spelling) and bronchitis... kennel cough ruled out. so they did lots of things to see what if..

did not even visit allergies. I should of just called Arda.. but when he was breathing like that, 7 in the morning .. I couldnt just sit here..

today he is doing pretty good, still on the antibiotics and they said bring him back for another check up in the 13 day mark from orginal perscription.. I will, then they may continue the antibiotics and see if there is any change..

I duno-- glad it seems to be ok.. hoping it was nothing, glad we ruled the dangerous stuff out as best as they could..

I hate still not knowing, but am going toward allergies.. I have been keeping him from eating, licking anything in the backyard.. and while on walks.. as best I can.

I will keep posted as I am still on alert--- we are doing the sauna steam in the bathroom thing every few days. I am not sure if that is just me stealing away my own time vet suggested it so I am going with it...

thanks guys

[Bumpette]

Glad to hear that Loki is doing better. I know how scary it can be when something is amiss. Especially since most of us have experienced DCM, and know how bad that can be. I agree it was wise to rule out the scariest things first, it makes it easier to deal with when you know it isn't anything life threatening. Keep us updated and give Loki a hug.

[Annie Moon]

I've missed your posts dobbiehearted. I've always enjoyed them.
My first thought was DCM too. I was glad to read on and find out that they had ruled it out.
I would have been scared too !!!
Allergies make sense... My Boon has spring allergies, but he shakes his head alot, instead of coughing.. He's much better after I give him Benadryl.
Hope your Loki gets better soon ! You're such a good Mom!

[CAB]

Cocoa has allergies too and wheezes every so often.

I found this online......
Canines, like humans, can suffer from allergies. Skin conditions such as itching of the skin is the most common symptom of a dog allergy. The respiratory tract can be affected by allergies, causing coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. At times, the eyes and nose may develop a mucous discharge. In some cases, the digestive system may be affected causing vomiting or diarrhea.

About 20% of the canines in the United States report suffering from some type of allergy and likely even more canines do undiagnosed or treated for allergies.

[LuvmydobeApollo]

Hi!!!


After reading all of this i would point at allergies, being that everything else came out ok. Try the benedryl, hopefully it will work. He could take it 2 to 3 times a day if needed. You could do the steam thingie, it cant hurt, and you get to spend time with him. Finish the antibiotics for sure. Are you supposed to recheck, or just if he istn better? Let us know how he is doing. By the way,,, he is gorgeous!!!


Sharen

[dobbiehearted]

oh you guys-- you dobermoms and doberdads.. I miss you all-- its funny that I feel I know so many of you having never met many of you, seen pictures and you always touch my heart...always... the ones I have met miss you guys too... this place in cyber space has such a magic because of the dogs and the love.... oh the dogs....

Loki Mr. Prince I suspect strongly has allergies, thanks Cab for the post and all of you for your suggestions-- being so generous to help me.... I read and re-read all of them.. .. I still cant beleive they did not even think allergies???-- they did not and I must move on from that point.. He is at 95% better.. there is nearly zero coughing.. he barks and runs and the coughing is gone.. yeah, yippie.. .. I still have been in the "steam room" (that is a funny scene) he likes to cuddle so even though I think he is puzzled at why we are in there laying down on the comforter, with the shower on and I am not getting in there... he cuddles and seems to say ok lets nap... they are just like big babies..

Yes he is taking the antibiotics and I will finish the dose and get another 15 days worth.. so he will have finished 30 days from day one.. but to go in for the check up.. I am thinking not. he seems like he is doing so well.. that visit with the specialist will be another 175.00 for them to just see us, no exrays or anything other than that.. I am watching my pennies so I will probably pass on that check up..

I will just keep doing what I am doing now.. use the Benedryl if it returns bad when the antibiotics are done... Thank you again for all your help and well wishes, it is priceless to me...

a little Loki side bar: I put up a make shift fence with in my back yard trying to give a section of my grass a chance to grow where now there is the Labrea Tar Pits mud.. looks great on my rose carpet.. but comes up after it dries... Loki jumps this make shift 3 foot fence chasing the squirrel monsters, (they of course were up on the telephone wires 50 feet above) and then I look out there and there he sits in the mud, not able to get back outof my Larea Tar Pits.... I have to laugh-- I pulled the plastic barrier stuff I used up a few inches and he came scampering out as if he was in prison for 3 years...

as we all know they are constant entertainment..

[dobbiehearted]

I wanted to just update and say Lokis coughing is completely gone.. after signing on this evening and reading about Sharens beloved Eva.. darling Val being under the weather .. just lots of reflective feelings, not goofy or joyous as I did when signing on..

I just wanted to update he is doing fine as so many of you are always so generous to give advice and be concerned.. I wanted to let you all know-- 100% better

attached some photos I took today, just calm -springtime doberboy.. while I posted these my thoughts are with you Sharon and Eva.. Cab and Val... and how much we love these dogs.

thank you

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[doberpagegirl]

I'm glad to hear Loki is better. It is so hard to lose them, but it would be harder to live without them.

[oreo5129]

What a handsome, regal boy.