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Thread: Old man cough?

  1. #11
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    I was going to say LP as well. Shasta has that at age 12.

  2. #12
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    What's scary is that the reason he was started on daily rimadyl is because he got overexcited a few times (as in jumping up and down in circles around me for hours) and injured himself. So far, he doesn't appear to have any muscle weakness (he's still an absolute ox) and has full range of motion everywhere but his right knee. I have heard from many people that when a labs back legs start to go, it's pretty much over. When he hurt himself, he fell down and was unable to get himself back up on his own, even with coaxing. It was terrifying, and I called in sick to work and immediately rushed him to the vet (and I work nights). It's happened twice now, he was only seen the first time, the second, we were just told to keep him in the rimadyl indefinitely and that it's just mild arthritis, but it sure doesn't look mild... however, my doc calls mine mild, too, and I know what it feels like to me...
    I don't know... I really hope it's just a cough... he's a trained hunter, attack/defense dog, therapy dog, and working on service training (because that's really what he does anyway). And of course, he's family. He's our baby. Our giant little old man puppy. I know that's a lot of oxymorons, but it suits him. He's short and stout (little), weighs at least 20lbs more than his parents from what I know (giant), will be 14 in August (old man), and still spends hours of his day digging gigantic holes, jumping all over the place, is always down for five mile walks and any other adventures we throw at him (he recently learned to love escalators). That last part is the puppy in him. He frequently jumps all over the furniture, etc... he's nuts. I'm planning on putting him in agility courses to burn energy and give him mental stimulation.

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  3. #13
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    My friends lab has a cough and it was just diagnosed as congestive heart failure. He is on meds and feeling better now. Good luck.

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    Angela_WM (02-26-2017)

  5. #14
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    I talked to his vet (who has witnessed this cough for a while) and they said that since he eats fine and has no trouble with swallowing or breathing, it's not likely that it's LP (or at least not at a clinically significant level). They also said CHF isn't too likely with him because he isn't holding fluid. His cough does improve with allergy meds, too.

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    SunDance (02-27-2017)

  7. #15
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    I just had a "lightbulb" moment.

    Do you brush his teeth or give him any kind of dental product with stuff in it like enzymes or chlorhexidine? These things irritate my pups' throats...Dan more than Sunnie...and will elicit some coughing. I avoid chlorhexidine but their toothpastes contain enzymes...I just know to expect a cough or two after brushing or a bit later (again, mostly Dan).

    Just a thought.

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    Angela_WM (03-05-2017)

  9. #16
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    Thank you all for your concern. My best friend (who plans to be a vet) and I had our own lightbulb moment, given his history. He has HORRIBLE allergies (including sneezing violently every time he rolls in the grass), and I recall his regular vet referring to it as a "reverse sneeze" AKA post-nasal drip, and then remembered its much better when he's on his allergy meds. Currently, he's got a little cold, so I'm hearing it more frequently and with phlegm, but his lungs are clear. He seems a bit miserable, so I'll be doing my best. First time I've ever seen kennel cough in a dog (I've seen it a lot in cats).

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  10. #17
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    He cleared it fast. Already better. I didn't know he wasn't vaccinated against bordetella yet. He will be tomorrow, since he's all better now. I love my freakishly healthy dog. Now we just need labs done to make sure we can up his rimadyl, and now frequent walks to keep him strong and prevent further joint damage.

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  11. #18
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Just know, Bordatella is ONE bacteria that can cause KC. There are tons of others that produce the same symptoms. As there are many viruses that also produce the same symptoms. Dogs can still get KC even with being vaccinated against bordatella. I personally haven't done it on any of my current dogs. KC is like a contagious human cold. You can boost the immune system, get antibiotics if needed (often given to help against secondary infection should the disease be a virus). Wrigley had a little congested cough a few weeks back. Vet said she was seeing a bacteria infection going around, gave a specific antibiotic. With that and buffered vitamin C and Echinacea each meal, she stopped coughing within a day.

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    Angela_WM (03-08-2017)

  13. #19
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JenC View Post
    Just know, Bordatella is ONE bacteria that can cause KC. There are tons of others that produce the same symptoms. As there are many viruses that also produce the same symptoms. Dogs can still get KC even with being vaccinated against bordatella. I personally haven't done it on any of my current dogs. KC is like a contagious human cold. You can boost the immune system, get antibiotics if needed (often given to help against secondary infection should the disease be a virus). Wrigley had a little congested cough a few weeks back. Vet said she was seeing a bacteria infection going around, gave a specific antibiotic. With that and buffered vitamin C and Echinacea each meal, she stopped coughing within a day.
    Yes, I am aware. But thank you for pointing it out. I researched heavily as soon as I could tell he was sick and spoke with my best friend and three different vets about him. He's just waiting for his letter and hell be a full-fledged service animal. He's already doing the work of one. He will be going swimming on Sunday, though, and they require the vaccine (he's getting the short acting for now), and he regularly comes in contact with other dogs. Fortunately, he's really only got that damn knee to worry about.

  14. #20
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    The reverse sneeze! I still remember the first time Remy did that, I had no idea what the heck was happening. Glad things are looking good!

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    Angela_WM (03-08-2017)

 



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