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Originally Posted by Jessilynndoll  I need prayers and advise for my Yorkie Jac, He started coughing 1 1/2 months ago. I took him to the vet and they diagnosed him with Kennal Cough. Jac had been vaccinated for that, so they provided the medication at no cost. He finished the medication and seemed to be doing much better, but slowly the coughing came back and got worse than it was before. I took Jac to the vet again yesterday and they gave me a list of possiblitys of what it could be. Pnemonia from the kennal cough, asthma, Collapsed Trachial, or a heart problem which is causing fluid to build up in his lungs. The doctor prescribed anitbiotics and cough medicine until I could afford to get the x-rays taken to find out what is really wrong with him.
This morning I woke up to him coughing and it sounded very wet, like he was choking on liquid. I picked him up and started patting his back and he slowed down only to start back up in a few seconds after that and not stop. I gave him his cough medicine and it did not help. I am taking him in tommorow to have the x-rays done but im hoping that someone will be able to relate to our story and ease my mind. Jac is 7 months old and (4.8 lb) energetic and happy, cuddly and hates to be alone. He has the best personality of any dog i've ever met, he loves everyone and rarley barks unless he concentrates on nothing and then he barks at the air very rarely  I couldnt imagine losing him or not having him great me everyday when i get home with his little whines. My main question is am i going about this the right way? I mean i get the feeling that xrays may not be the ONLY way to diagnose what is wrong with him and they are very expensive, the office (banfield) wants over 200 dollars for them, this is the first animal i've ever had to take to the vet so i don't know if charging 80 dollars to have someone hold the dog while the xrays are taken is legit. But like I said it may be totally standard. If you can provide any past experiences you think might help I would be very grateful.  and if you need anymore info please feel free to ask. |
It may very well be kennel cough but what concerns me is the wet cough that you are hearing. It could also be pneumonia or congestive heart failure (CHF). Both of these can be helped with medication but the vet needs to know exactly what he is dealing with. If it's CHF Jac will need a diuretic to help full off the extra fluid. Also please be sure to have his heart checked for any murmur sounds as this could lead to CHF.
Bottom line (and this is coming from a nurse and as a yorkie owner) the xray is the best and least invasive way to get down to a diagnosis. The xray can tell not only the status of the lungs (fluid, infection) but it also shows the size of the heart. Without the xray the diagnosis is kinda hit-n-miss.
As far as cost: I've never heard of charging to hold the dog while getting xrays. The surgeon just charged me $135 for chest xrays and $80 for the consult fee, but not to hold the dog. I would call around town and ask what they charge for "2 view chest xrays". If the cost is less then your vet, maybe calling your vet with the going rate in your area he might meet that cost rather than lose you as a client. I hope little Jac gets better soon. Keep us updated, please.