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My dog coughs, hacks, not all the time. Many times she will

 

Customer Question

My dog coughs, hacks, not all the time. Many times she will cough up some food, about an 1/8th of a cup. What could that be?

 

Optional Information:
Type of Animal: 8 pound Mi-Ki
Gender: Female
Age: 1 year
Name of Dog: Leelee

Already Tried:
The vet has put her on a prescription diet because we thought it was her stomach I am beginning to suspect that it is not her stomach but something else. Some times she spits up about an 1/8th of a cup of liquid with her cough. What could it be. The vet is puzzled.

Submitted: 620 days and 5 hours ago.
Category: Dog Veterinary
Value: $18
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 5 hours ago.

Welcome to JustAnswer! I am a licensed veterinarian and would be glad to help!

How often does this happen?

Is it a deep, hacking, goose honking cough?

Does it happen more with activity or at rest?

How much does she weigh?

-

Customer replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

It is sporatic. The cough seems to come from her throat as if she is trying to get something up. It definately is a hacking. It happens mostly when she is active, but at times when she is at rest, like this morning aroung 5 AM. She weighs 8 pounds.

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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Fom what you describe, including the age, breed, and signs reported - namely the description of the cough, I would be most interesting in evaluating for a collapsing trachea (mild based on your signs)

TREATMENT: (MEDICAL VERSUS SURGICAL)

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
The following steps are often helpful in long-term management of the tracheal collapse patient:

1) Cough suppressants are used. (torbutrol, hycodan, etc)

2) Corticosteroids such as prednisone can be used, but are best used on a short term basis due to side-effects potential.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT/INTERVENTIONAL

If medical management does not produce satisfactory results, and the respiratory distress is still present, either a placement of a tracheal stent or surgical rings to widen the trachea should be considered. Surgical therapy of tracheal collapse requires a surgery specialist.

Usually surgery, or tracheal stent placement are not first line treatments, but if medical management fails, tracheal stent placement or surgery can be considered.

Of course, the best is to make sure (with x-rays) there is not another cause such as pneumonia which made the trachea worse - or meaning - had to work harder to breathe and collapse more.

This link may also help: CLICK HERE
_____________________________________________________________________
Please click "ACCEPT" if the information I have provided has been of help so I receive credit for my work. Bonuses are always welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

The above is given for information only. Although I am a licensed veterinarian, I cannot legally prescribe medicines or diagnose your pet's condition without performing a physical exam. If you have concerns about your pet I would highly advise contacting your regular veterinarian.

Customer replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Is it possible that this could be kennel cough? Just what is kennel cough?

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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Kennel cough is a self-limiting viral infection that should last no more than 10-14 days.
_____________________________________________________________________
Please click "ACCEPT" if the information I have provided has been of help so I receive credit for my work. Bonuses are always welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

The above is given for information only. Although I am a licensed veterinarian, I cannot legally prescribe medicines or diagnose your pet's condition without performing a physical exam. If you have concerns about your pet I would highly advise contacting your regular veterinarian.

Customer replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Well this has been going on for months. Sometimes she is just fine for a week or two and they the problem comes back.

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

That would make kennel cough practically impossible then...
_____________________________________________________________________
Please click "ACCEPT" if the information I have provided has been of help so I receive credit for my work. Bonuses are always welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

The above is given for information only. Although I am a licensed veterinarian, I cannot legally prescribe medicines or diagnose your pet's condition without performing a physical exam. If you have concerns about your pet I would highly advise contacting your regular veterinarian.

Expert TypeER/ICU Specialist
Category: Dog Veterinary
Pos. Feedback: 96.7 %
Accepts: 35740
Answered: 7/25/2011

Experience: Emergency and Critical Care Specialist

Ask this Expert a Question >
Customer replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

But if it is truly her trachea, is that consistent with her having periods of no problem.

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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Yes

Customer replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

But if it is truly her trachea, is that consistent with her having periods of no problem.
I accidently pushed accept answer when I wanted to continue.

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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Yes - it is.

Customer replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

Can the trachea reposition it self? I'm sorry I sound like such a fool. But I want to be to fully understand this problem. I definately will take her to the vet.

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Expert:  CriticalCareVet replied 620 days and 4 hours ago.

It is not a bad position - just weak cartilage.

Please read this information: CLICK HERE
_____________________________________________________________________
Please click "ACCEPT" if the information I have provided has been of help so I receive credit for my work. Bonuses are always welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

The above is given for information only. Although I am a licensed veterinarian, I cannot legally prescribe medicines or diagnose your pet's condition without performing a physical exam. If you have concerns about your pet I would highly advise contacting your regular veterinarian.

 
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