Ok, thanks for that information.
Do any of these look like what your sister's dog is doing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7tveHyFqk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3RpoU0qXw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amGKQX9zdug&feature=related
Fiona
What you are describing in your sister' slittle Yorkie-Poo sounds very much like Kennel Cough.
Let me explain...
Kennel cough (Bordetella, infectious tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious cough that is transmitted by saliva or through an aerosol when a dog coughs.
With kennel cough, dogs have a cough that sounds like something is stuck in their throat, and after coughing a few times they have what is called a "terminal gag" which means that they sound like they are bringing up phlegm.
If you watch closely, you will often see dogs swallow after this final gag - they are in fact swallowing phlegm.
Some dogs will even cough up a puddle of clear, whitish, or slightly yellow mucoid fluid.This sounds like what you saw just now. If this was truly vomit (which comes from the stomach) it would have been yellow or orange due to bile staining.
Sometimes, dogs do cough so hard that they will actually vomit, and it sounds like this is what is also happening sometimes. With a digestive problem (like gastroenteritis) they are usually relucant to eat/drink as they feel nauseated. That does not sound like what is going on with her.
Kennel cough is highly contagious so dogs that have this should be kept isolated from other dogs for 2-3 weeks until it resolves.
It is quite likely that this little Yorkie-Poo picked this up when she was out on Wed. She could get it by picking up a stick that was in the mouth of another dog that had kennel cough, or you could even have brought it home on your shoes/pants if you passed a dog that had kennel cough. It is HIGHLY contagious - just as the cold and flu viruses are for humans.
Unfortunately, if this is kennel cough, your dog will have been exposed and will likely start to cough within the next few days to week.
Most cases resolve without medications, but in some cases patients are put on antibiotics and/or cough suppressants.
Antibiotics are used in dogs who are at risk for a secondary pneumonia (very young or very old dogs, or those with a suppressed immune system).
Cough suppressants are used when the cough is so severe that the dog cannot sleep. There can be quite a bit of phlegm with kennel cough, and it is better that the dog DOES cough that up, rather than leave it in the lungs by suppressing the cough. However, there has to be a balance where it's possible for the dog and his human companions to sleep.
For dogs that are unable to sleep, I do sometimes advise owners that they can give Robitussin DM. It is very important to read the label carefully and find a cough medicine that contains ONLY dextromethorphan (DM). This can be given to dogs.
Here is more about precautions and dose:
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/dextromethorphan-robitussin-dm/page1.aspx
Watch your dog to see if she is retching or gagging at the end of her coughing episode. Since it sounds like she is, and because she is coughing up puddles of phlegm, she likely has kennel cough. Many dogs will vomit due to the intensity of the coughing.
I'll give you links to further information:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=452
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=600
If she coughs up fluid that is green, or is blood-tinged, or she is lethargic or has difficulty breathing, then you should definitely see a vet immediately.
Many dogs with Kennel Cough seem to have a sore throat and thus don't want to eat their dry food. You can soften it with warm water to make it easier to swallow.
Keep your dog isolated from other dogs for at least 2 weeks! Keep her as quiet as possible - just out for potty breaks and back in. Kennel cough usually gets worse for 2-3 days, then frequent coughing with phlegm for 2-3 days, then starts to slowly get better.
It is also helpful to walk dogs with Kennel cough on a head halter or chest halter, as a leash around the neck can pull on the trachea and start a coughing spell.
I do hope that this helps you to help your sister's little dog!
If this has been helpful, please "Accept" my answer and provide feedback.
If you need more information, just click on reply and I will still be here to answer further questions!
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 strongly advise contacting your regular veterinarian.
Best wishes to you and to your dogs! Fiona
Will do--would like to continue with you, but I may not answer back immediately--might be three or so hours. It's 5:51 A.M. here and I'm very tired!!
Enjoy your kids and please tell me if I should visit France?? I've wanted to along with Ireland, Switzerland, and Australia. Strange tastes, huh??
Thank you and will check the white towel.
Sorry I'm so late Dr. Fiona. The white towel looked just like it was dirt washing off, but there were spots under that looked like reddish brown freckles. He has been nipping at his belly a lot and scratching a lot. I still want to say that's fleas, but I can't see any signs there of and I can't believe the flea shampoo and Frontline didn't take care of that problem. Or that I don't have any flea bites with him scratching that much.
I am a bit jealous of your travels--enjoy every minute of it! I would really love to see those few places, but with expenses and travel the way they are now, I probably will never be able to go. I'll just have to have you tell me about it! LOL!
Thanks!
No problem about time--no the paper towel just looked like washing dirt off and he has had pepper looking specs, but it was around his eyes after he had scratched them almost raw--like little blood flakes. That's why it didn't seem like fleas--but I could be very mistaken and I would have thought the Frontline would have handled it.
Take your time with your kids.
Thank you! I had to give my sister her shower anyway--she is handicapable and I was training in two new girls.
What you are describing in your Maltese/Cockapoo sounds like he may have allergic dermatitis, which means that allergies are making him itchy.
This could be to the protein in his food, to insects biting him, or most commonly to atopy, which is an inhalant allergy. Dogs with allergic dermatitis can be VERY itchy and often need long term corticosteroids in order to relieve the itch.
Here are some links to further information:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/allergic-dermatitis-in-dogs/page1.aspx
Dogs with atopy can be allergic to not only dust mites, but also to various plants that may be pollinating at various times. It is often very useful to keep a diary with an "itchy" rating in it to be able to determine what times of year it is worse. I'm not sure what plants you have pollinating now where you are, but in Ontario where I usually am at this time, they are just coming in to Ragweed season, which is not only a big allergen for humans but also for dogs!
Here are some links to further information about atopy:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=597
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=599
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1535
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=652
So, when I diagnose a patient with atopy, I always start by warning people that we CANNOT CURE this! The best we can ever hope for is to control it. Anything that can be done to decrease his allergic tendencies should be done, and lots of little things may start to have a big effect.
What I suggest for dogs with atopy:
1. - Give him a *cool* bath in the tub, and apply a soothing colloidal oatmeal conditioner (I used Aveeno colloidal oatmeal treatment on myself and was suprised how much relief I got from it)
Here is one example of a Conditioner: http://www.calvetsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=373
- towel dry gently, and then keep him in a warm room snuggled in the towel so that you don't need to blow dry him at all
2- If he were my patient, I would evaluate him for being a candidate for being on antihistamines year round. They are safe in the majority of patients, and although they don't stop the itching the way prednisone does, they do "take the edge" off and make future flare-ups less severe.
As with humans, some dogs do better on one type of antihistamine, and not on others. Often, we have to try a few different ones, giving each a trial of several weeks before knowing whether it helps, and before moving on to another. Common anti-histamines we use in veterinary medicine are Diphenhydramine (Benadryl here in Canada), chlorpheniramine and hydroxyzine.
Here is more about each, including dose:
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/diphenhydramine-benadryl/page1.aspx
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/chlorpheniramine-maleate-chlor-trimeton/page1.aspx
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/hydroxyzine-atarax-anxanil-vistaril/page1.aspx
You might want to start with the Benadryl today, as it is rapidly effective. It can make dogs a bit sleepy, but that might not be a bad thing so you can both sleep well tonight.
With anti-histamine use it is really important to use them at the recommended frequency as they help PREVENT itchiness, but don't do as much at stopping it once it has started.
3.- Again, if he were my patient, I would put him on a dietary source of essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids) daily added to his food.
Your vet would be able to provide these for you - some brands are DermCaps and EFA-Z
http://www.1800petmeds.com/Derm+Caps-prod10062.html
http://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/ALLERDERM-EFA-Z-PLUS
4- I would also consider getting a HEPA filter for your house. In Canada, you can get these at hardware stores. For $100 - $300 (depending on the amount of space you want to have filtered) it removes tiny dust particles from the air, which is another thing to help your dog a bit
Many dogs with atopy need to be on low doses of prednisone on a long term basis. If your dog is still itchy despite the above you should see your vet to discuss whether a short course of this would be helpful.
This is not an expensive medication, and at an every-other-day dose we rarely see any side effects. It can make a big difference towards improving your dog's quality of life it he is very itchy all the time.
It is a prescription drug available from your vet.
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/prednisone-prednisolone/page1.aspx
I hope that these things will help! Any small thing that decreases your little guy's allergic tendencies is good and with lots of small things we can hope for a big improvement over time!
Fingers crossed for you!
If this has been helpful, please Accept my answer and leave feedback.
I will still be here to provide further information if you need it!
Dog Veterinarian
15 years experience as a companion animal veterinarian in British Columbia, California and Ontario