Cough Advice - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Fred911 · 01-17-2013, 12:08 PM

I am new to this site and looking for some advice for my little boy Bartholomew.
Barty is 13 years old, very active and in excellent health.
Recently, he has developed a cough, sometimes sounds like he is clearing his throat, sometimes a honking. It happens about 3 or 4 times a day...and every morning when he wakes up.

I took him to the VET, I was told the xray showed no real problem with his trachea. We have tried antibiotics for a possible lung infection....some other medication that is supposed to calm the stomach. Nothing is working.
The only thing that seems to help right now is give him raw carrots which immediatly stops the coughing attack.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Wylie's Mom · 01-19-2013, 08:54 AM

Welcome to YT

!

Do you know what a reverse sneeze sounds like and could it be that? Here are some samples, see if it sounds familiar: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...d-trachea.html

What did you try to 'calm the stomach'? Bc it does sound possible that it could be reflux. When he's having an event, does he also swallow a lot and/or swallow harder than normal? If yes, that can sometimes be a sign of reflux too. If reflux is suspected, Reglan might be worth a try.

Certs · 01-21-2013, 12:12 AM

I just lost my 15 year old to heart disease on Sunday. His symptoms started at 13 with coughing. His regular vet told me his coughing was due to a collapsed trachea. It wasn't until after I scheduled him with a specialty hospital that he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. I was told that coughing is usually the first symptom of an enlarged heart in older small breed dogs. They can put him on meds to slow down the heart disease. Good luck with your baby!

trish2753 · 01-21-2013, 02:09 AM

Susie coughs a lot, she has an enlarged heart and it presses on her trachea, she coughed before due to her trachea but the coughing is a lot deeper now and sustained gagging, probably because of her illness.
She is 15 and a half and was diagnosed with a heart murmur 2 years ago which has now developed into congestive heart failure, not long left now bless her, can't make the decision to send her to sleep though as she is good for a few hours a day , gets worse when the heart meds wear off.

Fred911 · 01-21-2013, 06:24 AM

Ugh....I guess I am facing some tough times ahead. We did a chest Xray on Bart and his heart seems normal (although he has had a slight murmur for 13 years).

Last week I purchased 2 air cleaners (my wife smokes) which appear to have helped a little. He still coughs, but less often and for a shorter duration. Maybe it is just wishful thinking.

I am going to try everything I can think of.

Thank you all for your input, it gives me some avenues to explore with the vet.

Certs · 01-21-2013, 08:50 AM

If you have a smoker inside you may want to look into chronic lung disease or chronic bronchitis. See link below.

Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: Diagnosis and Treatment

rhoda olans · 02-10-2013, 12:06 PM

my 11 year old love of my life yorkie has been diagnosed with collapsed trachea and congestive heart failure. i am taking her to a cardiologist tuesday and need all your prayers. i will keep u informed. thanks for ur prayers. rhoda

Certs · 02-10-2013, 11:02 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that. I will keep you both in my prayers.

DexterBoy · 02-11-2013, 06:11 AM

I have the same thing with my puppy, we think its kennel cough. We have been giving him a little bit of honey to soothe the cough for the night. He hasn't coughed during the night after honey. We also gave him a little bit of crushed vitamin C and echinacea, it seems to be helping.

01-17-2013, 12:08 PM	#1
Fred911 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Morristown New Jersey Posts: 2	Cough Advice I am new to this site and looking for some advice for my little boy Bartholomew. Barty is 13 years old, very active and in excellent health. Recently, he has developed a cough, sometimes sounds like he is clearing his throat, sometimes a honking. It happens about 3 or 4 times a day...and every morning when he wakes up. I took him to the VET, I was told the xray showed no real problem with his trachea. We have tried antibiotics for a possible lung infection....some other medication that is supposed to calm the stomach. Nothing is working. The only thing that seems to help right now is give him raw carrots which immediatly stops the coughing attack. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

01-19-2013, 08:54 AM	#2
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Welcome to YT ! Do you know what a reverse sneeze sounds like and could it be that? Here are some samples, see if it sounds familiar: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/die...d-trachea.html What did you try to 'calm the stomach'? Bc it does sound possible that it could be reflux. When he's having an event, does he also swallow a lot and/or swallow harder than normal? If yes, that can sometimes be a sign of reflux too. If reflux is suspected, Reglan might be worth a try. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

01-21-2013, 12:12 AM	#3
Certs YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: La Mesa, CA San Diego Posts: 3	Have You Checked His Heart? I just lost my 15 year old to heart disease on Sunday. His symptoms started at 13 with coughing. His regular vet told me his coughing was due to a collapsed trachea. It wasn't until after I scheduled him with a specialty hospital that he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. I was told that coughing is usually the first symptom of an enlarged heart in older small breed dogs. They can put him on meds to slow down the heart disease. Good luck with your baby! Last edited by Certs; 01-21-2013 at 12:14 AM.

01-21-2013, 02:09 AM	#4
trish2753 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: uk Posts: 34	Susie coughs a lot, she has an enlarged heart and it presses on her trachea, she coughed before due to her trachea but the coughing is a lot deeper now and sustained gagging, probably because of her illness. She is 15 and a half and was diagnosed with a heart murmur 2 years ago which has now developed into congestive heart failure, not long left now bless her, can't make the decision to send her to sleep though as she is good for a few hours a day , gets worse when the heart meds wear off.

01-21-2013, 06:24 AM	#5
Fred911 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Morristown New Jersey Posts: 2	Ugh....I guess I am facing some tough times ahead. We did a chest Xray on Bart and his heart seems normal (although he has had a slight murmur for 13 years). Last week I purchased 2 air cleaners (my wife smokes) which appear to have helped a little. He still coughs, but less often and for a shorter duration. Maybe it is just wishful thinking. I am going to try everything I can think of. Thank you all for your input, it gives me some avenues to explore with the vet.

01-21-2013, 08:50 AM	#6
Certs YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: La Mesa, CA San Diego Posts: 3	If you have a smoker inside you may want to look into chronic lung disease or chronic bronchitis. See link below. Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs: Diagnosis and Treatment

02-10-2013, 12:06 PM	#7
rhoda olans YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: naples florida Posts: 1	my 11 year old love of my life yorkie has been diagnosed with collapsed trachea and congestive heart failure. i am taking her to a cardiologist tuesday and need all your prayers. i will keep u informed. thanks for ur prayers. rhoda

02-10-2013, 11:02 PM	#8
Certs YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: La Mesa, CA San Diego Posts: 3	I'm so sorry to hear that. I will keep you both in my prayers.

02-11-2013, 06:11 AM	#9
DexterBoy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Derwood, MD Posts: 92	I have the same thing with my puppy, we think its kennel cough. We have been giving him a little bit of honey to soothe the cough for the night. He hasn't coughed during the night after honey. We also gave him a little bit of crushed vitamin C and echinacea, it seems to be helping.