Dry Hacking Cough... like a Tickle in Throat

[Zookeepermom247]

Hi.. I know that Sophie when she was little would do that little tickle hack when she got excited and the vet said this was normal for a lab with a big barrel chest. This past Thursday after big zoomies around the back yard, she started really hacking and would gag like a cat coughing up a hair ball. I have an appointment with the vet today at 4:15. She is eating well, sleeps well, and is her typical bouncy sweet, and pestering self. We did go swimming in the bay a week ago where she jumped in and went under and began to swim in 2 feet of water. She had such fun. So any hard activity seems to get her hacking, even walking and pulling on the leash. She wears a harness. O.. well.. we will get to the bottom of this.. as well as relieving her adrenal glands.. she is butt scooting again. She is UTD with all shots. Anyone's else's lab have that dry hacking cough?

Thanks,
Sophie's mom

[katALlabs]

When was the last time she was checked for heart worms? even t. ugh she might be utd on everything its a simple snap test and with you being in Florida one can not be too careful.
A dry hack likd she trying to clear her throat colud be a sign.

[windycanyon]

A comprehensive vet check is in order. It could be something as simple as a mild case of kennel cough, or as bad as pneumonia, heart worm, Laryngeal paralysis, or even a cardiac issue. Best of luck and let us know what the vet says. Anne

PS, I think you meant anal glands.

[SunDance]

Good thoughts from me for a good reason for the cough. Danny has this from time to time, as does Sunnie...rolling in the grass is one big cause but sometimes it's just a passing whiff of something in the air.

And I agree about the anal glands being the ones in question...I've had adrenal issues in the past and never once did I butt scoot.

[Zookeepermom247]

LOLOL sorry!!!! Anal !!!!

[Sam I Am]

Carley had a dry cough all day yesterday. Last night she puked up a chunk if her chuck-it ball with grass and hasn't coughed since. Sometimes it can be from something ingested that needs to come out. But, sometimes it can indicate other issues (heart, respiratory infection, allergy, etc.) and should be checked out by a vet, *especially* if it's a regular occurrence during exercise. Also, I disagree with your vet that's it's normal on large chested dogs. I would consider getting a second opinion.

[Woofie]

Did this cough start AFTER she jumped into the 2ft of water?? I've recently heard of one dog literally drowning a few days following a swim in a deep lake; he had sucked in water & didn't get it all out of his chest. My other concern would be his heart.

[Labradorks]

Glad you're going back. If it were normal in barrel chested dogs, there would be a lot of coughing dogs out there!

My first thought was kennel cough. That would probably be your best case scenario so I hope it's that.

[Maxx&Emma]

I find the comment from your vet odd. I have had Labs my whole life but never had one that coughed. I sure hope Sophie is ok.

[Zookeepermom247]

hi.. all.. the verdict is a redness of the throat.. some bacteria.. probably from the bay water, we went swimming last Sat and she jumped in went under.... She was checked fecally... and her blood tested, all test negative. heart is great.. and had her butt glands squeezed.. She had a shot of penicillin... and she weighs 95 lbs.. I got the lecture again... honestly she is on the script diet she gave us since Jan.. gained 4 lbs since feb and she has minimal snacks. I asked the vet tech and she said..lots of labs they have come in are over 100 lbs and they get the lecture too.. my concern is really, she does not get leftovers... maybe a last bite here and there... and she has 1 cup twice a day.. the cup that comes with the diet dog food. We now are told to give her 1 and 1/4 cup per day and no extras.She gets tons of exercise.. zoomies... games... swimming.. walks.. well. she and I both can't lose those ten lbs...



Thanks,
Sophie's mom