Gidget's cough - YorkieTalk.com Forums

gidget529 · 05-14-2011, 12:34 PM

My poor little Gidget...she started w this coughing episode that could not get stopped on Wed. I ran her into vet. X-rays were clear. He gave her some Clavamox. Temp was normal. She had another episode when we got home but it stopped. I kept her inside and quiet since then. Today, husband tried short walk, keeping her on sidewalk. 15-20 minutes after coming back the coughing started again. She could not stop. We took her back to vet. Vet said is wondering if she has an infection and walking just irritated things. Added Delsym to the antibiotic. She had another episode that last about 10 minutes this afternoon. Has anyone ever encountered this? Any thoughts and prayers would be very appreciated. I just lost my Cricket in Nov. so I am petrified of something happening to this little one.

Sammy Mommy · 05-14-2011, 02:15 PM

Saying prayers that Gidget will be feeling better soon! Could she have allergies?

gidget529 · 05-14-2011, 02:23 PM

I'm not sure. When she was walking on Wed when this started, they were cutting grass and there was cut grass on the sidewalk where we were walking. So I am not sure, and it sounds like vet is not quite sure, either.

I also googled kennel cough vs collapsed trachea.

I have never had a pup with a "cough" like this. Her gums are staying pink from what we can tell.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Prayers are greatly appreciated also.

AlicetheYorkie · 05-15-2011, 06:06 AM

Since her chest xrays were clear, I'm just throwing things out here - are you sure it's a cough and not a reverse sneeze? If grass was recently cut, maybe she got a little blade of it down her throat or up her nose? Did she do it at all at the vet's office so he could hear it?

gidget529 · 05-15-2011, 08:37 AM

Alice - thank so much for your input. I really am not sure what is going on w her. Yesterday, she had many boughts of whatever the cough was, had the husband and I very worried, in spite of the Delsym we gave her. I actually stayed up during the night to make sure she was ok.

How can you tell the difference from a reverse sneeze to kennel cough? Have you ever seen or dealt w kennel cough?

AlicetheYorkie · 05-15-2011, 01:34 PM

Here's a video I found of a Puggle reverse sneezing (the ones of the Yorkies you couldn't hear well enough to get the idea):

Mr. Puggle's Reverse..." target="_blank">Mr. Puggle's Reverse...

Now, kennel cough on the other hand usually sounds more like an actual cough (ever hear a child with Whooping cough?, kind of like that) and sometimes they gag too.

Hope this helps

Taryn0405 · 05-15-2011, 01:39 PM

Gizmo had the same cough you're describing. He had two bouts of it. Both were kennel cough. The x-rays came back normal, and he ended up getting a clear bill of health at his past check up. But yeah, it's scary, we had to rush him to the ER vet at 4 in the morning. He was put on the same antibiotic as well.

Also, the vet let me give him .5 cc of Robatussin DM for the coughing. That really seemed to help. He was allowed to get that max of three times a day and he's about 4.5 lbs...Maybe 5 now.

Hope Gidget feels better!

jeanm1963 · 05-15-2011, 01:50 PM

Laci also had this cough as a puppy and sure enough it was kennel cough. I have forgotten what the vet gave me but it worked it just took a couple of weeks, I remember there was a syrup and also antibiotic!

gidget529 · 05-15-2011, 03:18 PM

Alice - thanks so much for the video. I think the reversed sneeze is a little more nasal than what she is doing; I think...

Taryn and Jean - we are leaning toward the kennel cough at this point. Thanks so much for your posts. There is a gagging sound and some white foamy spittal at times coming up. It is a scary sound. How many days did this last for your pups?

Taryn0405 · 05-15-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidget529

Alice - thanks so much for the video. I think the reversed sneeze is a little more nasal than what she is doing; I think...

Taryn and Jean - we are leaning toward the kennel cough at this point. Thanks so much for your posts. There is a gagging sound and some white foamy spittal at times coming up. It is a scary sound. How many days did this last for your pups?

Well it went away the first time after the 10 days of antibiotics. He was just given dog version of penicillin the first time. Then about a week later, he got it really bad and was given that Claramox or however you spell it. And after 10 days he was fine. The best way to describe how he looked was he got all crunched up like a cat coughing up a hair ball, and just kept like wheezing and coughing at the same time. I would give him the Rubatussin right before bed and he was okay through the night.

Hope Gidget feels better!

AlicetheYorkie · 05-15-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidget529

Alice - thanks so much for the video. I think the reversed sneeze is a little more nasal than what she is doing; I think...

Taryn and Jean - we are leaning toward the kennel cough at this point. Thanks so much for your posts. There is a gagging sound and some white foamy spittal at times coming up. It is a scary sound. How many days did this last for your pups?

Aww, poor Gidget, ya if she's gagging and spitting up phlem, it's most likely kennel cough. Just continue the Clavamox and it should start to clear up in a few days. If you don't see any improvement in the next 5 days, call your vet and they'd probably switch to a stronger antibiotic.

107barney · 05-15-2011, 09:10 PM

This happens to Barney every spring. His cough is due to allergies. The only thing that gets him over the cough is to steam up the bathroom and I open my peppermint essential oil and put the cap near his nose very quickly so he breathes in the menthol. Works every time. It does not replace a vet's diagnosis or treatment but it does help to keep him from coughing and having his respiratory system going into spasms.

gidget529 · 05-16-2011, 06:18 AM

Alice and Taryn - Thanks so much for the info. I didn't realize the spittal she's coughing up is phlegm. She's been on the Clavamox since last Wed, so I called the vet today and left a message that it's no better. Waiting for a call back, and I will ask about a different antibiotic.

Barney - Thanks for the suggestion about the steam and menthol. We started running a vaporizer since Sat. We will get some menthol for her, too. The vaporizer has a place for oil like that to heat up w the steam.

I'm worried we're still not seeing improvement. Your info is greatly appreciated and has been very helpful, and your're prayers are also greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!!

gidget529 · 05-16-2011, 09:32 AM

Just got a call back from the vet. She wants us to p/u Tussagon at her office and give her a quarter of a pill, wait 24 hours to see if it helps, and call her back. I asked about a new antibiotic, and she said she wants to wait 24 hours to see if the Tussagon works.

I just gave Gidget another dose of Delsym at noon; the vet said to wait until this eve to give the Tussagon. Has anyone had any exp w Tussagon? Should I wait a 12 hr period between Delsym and Tussagon?

Also, she said she still is not 100% sure what this is. Not so reassuring.

enchilila · 05-16-2011, 12:38 PM

I will keep Gidget in my prayers. Have you tried recording Gidget's episodes to show the vet? Maybe with your phone or a camera? Sometimes it is hard to describe what is actually going on and seeing it might help your vet. Maybe a second opinion? Just a thought.

05-14-2011, 12:34 PM	#1
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Gidget's cough My poor little Gidget...she started w this coughing episode that could not get stopped on Wed. I ran her into vet. X-rays were clear. He gave her some Clavamox. Temp was normal. She had another episode when we got home but it stopped. I kept her inside and quiet since then. Today, husband tried short walk, keeping her on sidewalk. 15-20 minutes after coming back the coughing started again. She could not stop. We took her back to vet. Vet said is wondering if she has an infection and walking just irritated things. Added Delsym to the antibiotic. She had another episode that last about 10 minutes this afternoon. Has anyone ever encountered this? Any thoughts and prayers would be very appreciated. I just lost my Cricket in Nov. so I am petrified of something happening to this little one.

05-15-2011, 06:06 AM	#4
AlicetheYorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 889	Since her chest xrays were clear, I'm just throwing things out here - are you sure it's a cough and not a reverse sneeze? If grass was recently cut, maybe she got a little blade of it down her throat or up her nose? Did she do it at all at the vet's office so he could hear it? __________________ Jenn, mom to: Dayton , Alice ,Darla, Miya , Summer & Chooch

05-15-2011, 01:39 PM	#7
Taryn0405 Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State! Posts: 3,706	Gizmo had the same cough you're describing. He had two bouts of it. Both were kennel cough. The x-rays came back normal, and he ended up getting a clear bill of health at his past check up. But yeah, it's scary, we had to rush him to the ER vet at 4 in the morning. He was put on the same antibiotic as well. Also, the vet let me give him .5 cc of Robatussin DM for the coughing. That really seemed to help. He was allowed to get that max of three times a day and he's about 4.5 lbs...Maybe 5 now. Hope Gidget feels better! __________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

05-15-2011, 01:50 PM	#8
jeanm1963 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weymouth, Ma Posts: 2,584	Laci also had this cough as a puppy and sure enough it was kennel cough. I have forgotten what the vet gave me but it worked it just took a couple of weeks, I remember there was a syrup and also antibiotic! __________________ I Support http://www.yorkiesinc.com/

05-15-2011, 09:10 PM	#12
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	This happens to Barney every spring. His cough is due to allergies. The only thing that gets him over the cough is to steam up the bathroom and I open my peppermint essential oil and put the cap near his nose very quickly so he breathes in the menthol. Works every time. It does not replace a vet's diagnosis or treatment but it does help to keep him from coughing and having his respiratory system going into spasms. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

05-14-2011, 02:15 PM	#2
Sammy Mommy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Posts: 3,896	Saying prayers that Gidget will be feeling better soon! Could she have allergies?

05-14-2011, 02:23 PM	#3
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	I'm not sure. When she was walking on Wed when this started, they were cutting grass and there was cut grass on the sidewalk where we were walking. So I am not sure, and it sounds like vet is not quite sure, either. I also googled kennel cough vs collapsed trachea. I have never had a pup with a "cough" like this. Her gums are staying pink from what we can tell. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Prayers are greatly appreciated also.

05-15-2011, 08:37 AM	#5
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Alice - thank so much for your input. I really am not sure what is going on w her. Yesterday, she had many boughts of whatever the cough was, had the husband and I very worried, in spite of the Delsym we gave her. I actually stayed up during the night to make sure she was ok. How can you tell the difference from a reverse sneeze to kennel cough? Have you ever seen or dealt w kennel cough?

05-15-2011, 03:18 PM	#9
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Alice - thanks so much for the video. I think the reversed sneeze is a little more nasal than what she is doing; I think... Taryn and Jean - we are leaning toward the kennel cough at this point. Thanks so much for your posts. There is a gagging sound and some white foamy spittal at times coming up. It is a scary sound. How many days did this last for your pups?

05-16-2011, 06:18 AM	#13
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Alice and Taryn - Thanks so much for the info. I didn't realize the spittal she's coughing up is phlegm. She's been on the Clavamox since last Wed, so I called the vet today and left a message that it's no better. Waiting for a call back, and I will ask about a different antibiotic. Barney - Thanks for the suggestion about the steam and menthol. We started running a vaporizer since Sat. We will get some menthol for her, too. The vaporizer has a place for oil like that to heat up w the steam. I'm worried we're still not seeing improvement. Your info is greatly appreciated and has been very helpful, and your're prayers are also greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!!

05-16-2011, 09:32 AM	#14
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Just got a call back from the vet. She wants us to p/u Tussagon at her office and give her a quarter of a pill, wait 24 hours to see if it helps, and call her back. I asked about a new antibiotic, and she said she wants to wait 24 hours to see if the Tussagon works. I just gave Gidget another dose of Delsym at noon; the vet said to wait until this eve to give the Tussagon. Has anyone had any exp w Tussagon? Should I wait a 12 hr period between Delsym and Tussagon? Also, she said she still is not 100% sure what this is. Not so reassuring.

05-16-2011, 12:38 PM	#15
enchilila Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 9,688	I will keep Gidget in my prayers. Have you tried recording Gidget's episodes to show the vet? Maybe with your phone or a camera? Sometimes it is hard to describe what is actually going on and seeing it might help your vet. Maybe a second opinion? Just a thought. __________________ "Betty Boop" The light of my life & the joy of my living!