Accepted Answer

Thank you for replying.

We usually assume when symptoms come up apparently around the same time that they are all related to one illness: coughing/ hacking, weight loss (or dehydration giving the appearance of weight loss), and inappetance.

Given the fact that her cough is wet, her lacking activity level, and the probable non-contagiousness of this, we're probably looking at something more serious.

Unfortunately, she needs to have a chest x-ray to narrow down the possibilities. With her symptoms, it's possible she has aspiration pneumonia, fluid build up in her chest (which can be due to one of multiple serious things), or a heart condition.

Weight loss in a dog the size of a lab that can be noticed in one week's time is quite severe. Often this gets dramatized by dehydration and skin getting sunken in. This accentuates the sluggish feeling she's having and lack of appetite.

As this is ongoing and she's not too lethargic, you may not need an emergency vet today, but I would get her seen tomorrow. Without at least listening to her chest with a stethoscope, you can't determine if there is fluid build up or a murmur, and without a chest x-ray your vet may not be able to determine the most appropriate treatment to start with.

For today, let her stay in, no long walks, just out to do her business and back, and make sure she has access to fresh water when she wants it. You can try nebulizing if you have one or letting her come in the bathroom during your shower for the steam to help break up any building congestion. Make sure her gums around her teeth stay pink (the black spots are normal, make sure there's no blue/ purple/ gray/ white), and that she has no difficulty breathing at any time, all of which are emergency situations.

Let me know if I can help further and I wish you both the best of luck.

Christine

Expert:	ChristineLVT
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Answered:	5/31/2009

Certified Veterinary Technician

Licensed veterinary technician (B.S. Mercy College), 10 yrs in animal medicine and training