Discussion
I have an 18month Bernese mountain dog who has developed a cough. He will be going to the vets (when they can fit me in) but I thought I would seek the knowledge of the PistonHead collective first.
He's a big dog so it's a big cough, on the third one he brings up a little clear spit. It started late last night but he slept fine and this morning is behaving normally. It's not retching because he had his dinner late last night so could have brought something up if he'd wanted.
The parting comment from my wife this morning (who is a GP) said "Oh, it's probably bronchitis or heart failure.....bye!" oh cheers, thanks for that.
When I rang the vets they did ask if he'd been in an rape seed fields, no not recently but we are pretty much surrounded by them at the moment.
Thanks for reading, any ideas much appreciated.
Phil.
He's a big dog so it's a big cough, on the third one he brings up a little clear spit. It started late last night but he slept fine and this morning is behaving normally. It's not retching because he had his dinner late last night so could have brought something up if he'd wanted.
The parting comment from my wife this morning (who is a GP) said "Oh, it's probably bronchitis or heart failure.....bye!" oh cheers, thanks for that.
When I rang the vets they did ask if he'd been in an rape seed fields, no not recently but we are pretty much surrounded by them at the moment.
Thanks for reading, any ideas much appreciated.
Phil.
Superficial said:
Could be lots of things; kennel cough, an allergic reaction, something stuck in his throat like a blade of grass. You're bound to wonder what it is, but IMHO best to wait for an accurate diagnosis from the vet or you'll drive yourself crazy researching the ifs and maybes.
Won't be going anywhere near google, and yes, will leave it to the vet but was just curious if anyone had had a similar issue.Doshy said:
Won't be going anywhere near google, and yes, will leave it to the vet but was just curious if anyone had had a similar issue.
Have had a retching cough which the vet could find no cause of (heart/lungs etc all clear) but as a homeopathic vet he gave us phosphorous - but that is dependant upon the personality of the dog too...Seemed to cure it.
Could be Kennel Cough (can be picked up anywhere not just kennels) symptoms are coughing and wretching on excitement and bringing up froth/ saliva. Most dogs reover from it well but need help with antibiotics and antinflammatories.
There are obviously other causes but the above is a very common one seen in otherwise fit and healthy dogs. The vets can usually tell quite quickly if it is this (esp if they have seen other dogs recently) As a precaution don't let your dog mix with others until checked (inc the vets waiting room)
There are obviously other causes but the above is a very common one seen in otherwise fit and healthy dogs. The vets can usually tell quite quickly if it is this (esp if they have seen other dogs recently) As a precaution don't let your dog mix with others until checked (inc the vets waiting room)
garyhun said:
I thought KC was a regular thing, not just the odd one-off coughing fit?
It's very variable between dogs.My dog had it a few years ago (picked up a dog he'd been playing with on a walk, I realsied after) he coughed a few times for a day or so and was fine no tx. My friends dog who I walked on the day my dog coughed (I had no idea he had KC at this point) was really bad with it, he needed anti inflammatories, antibiotics and benylin and codeine as he had a honking cough for several days and was awake during the night with it. Complete extremes for the same virus.
The op did not say it was a one off coughing fit.
Doshy said:
Yes it was Kennel cough, luckily only mild. Check up (in the vets car park), injection and a course of antibiotics and I'm 100 quid lighter! but he's much better 
Thanks for the replies.
Phil.
£100?? you must have gold-plated vets, at least it was "only" KC but make sure the cough has stopped before you stop the antibiotics, as it can linger up to 10 days quite normally, but continued coughing can be its own long term cause of bronchitis.Thanks for the replies.
Phil.
Thevet said:
Doshy said:
Yes it was Kennel cough, luckily only mild. Check up (in the vets car park), injection and a course of antibiotics and I'm 100 quid lighter! but he's much better
Thanks for the replies.
Phil.
£100?? you must have gold-plated vets, at least it was "only" KC but make sure the cough has stopped before you stop the antibiotics, as it can linger up to 10 days quite normally, but continued coughing can be its own long term cause of bronchitis.Thanks for the replies.
Phil.
Doshy said:
Thevet said:
Doshy said:
Yes it was Kennel cough, luckily only mild. Check up (in the vets car park), injection and a course of antibiotics and I'm 100 quid lighter! but he's much better
Thanks for the replies.
Phil.
£100?? you must have gold-plated vets, at least it was "only" KC but make sure the cough has stopped before you stop the antibiotics, as it can linger up to 10 days quite normally, but continued coughing can be its own long term cause of bronchitis.Thanks for the replies.
Phil.
Glad he is already improving
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