Itching, hacking, snorting and spot on stomach
 

I have a few different things to ask about Lilly and the things she's been doing lately. She goes back to the vet the 26th but I'm sort of trying to find a different vet right now because I feel as if when I ask them questions or anything it's kind of a hurried answer and we're kinda hurried in there then out. Pretty aggravating especially since this is my first puppy so I have lots of questions.

She's had the Bordetella vaccine but I've noticed her hacking a lot like coughing and hacking both, kinda like somethings stuck in her throat or I don't know really how to explain it but I'm sure someone knows what I'm talking about. I'm not sure if the snorting will have anything to do with that either but like if she jumps up or if she goes up to get a treat out of my hand or something it's kind of like when she's in that position she snorts or she's having trouble breathing out of her nose. She also does it a lot when she's playing with her toys, that part sounds kinda like she's blowing snot out of her nose which sounds kinda common but I'm not sure, the snorting part is what really bothers me.

She also has allergies which I guess several dogs do but she'll itch and itch behind her ear (she used to have dry skin back behind it really bad) is there something I can do to help this? I told the groomer when I went and it seems like the looks of it cleared up but she's still itching at it.

Last but not least, there's a spot on her stomach that's been on there for quite a while now and I meant to ask at our last vet visit but as I said he kinda rushes me so it sort of slipped my mind. I'd be extra urgent about it and call and ask but it doesn't seem to bother her or anything so I was just waiting when I took her next Friday. I have pictures of it though if anyone's maybe seen it or dealt with it before. I asked the groomer and she said she'd think it was ringworm if it was pink and was rose from the skin but it's not, it's just black and sort of scabbed over.

Sorry this is so long :( but I\'d appreciate some other opinions on this stuff.

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Are you familiar w/ reverse sneezing? If yes, is her snorting like that? Check out this link - it includes videos and descriptions: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78517

The itching could be food related (an allergy). What are you feeding?

That spot is odd - it doesn't look like ringworm. How long has she had it? Does she itch/lick at it? I wonder if it's a birthmark or something. I honestly don't have much to offer on that spot - wish I did.

I've watched the videos on the reverse sneezing and it really doesn't sound like that, it's just like she's hacking trying to get something out of her throat like it sounds as if you were to do it yourself and the snorting is the same way. She sounds just like a human when she does it.

I feed her IAMS smart puppy in the yellow bag.

I know the spot is very odd. When we first got her we had a lot of personal problems with me getting kicked out of the house and everything and my boyfriend's dad's dog had fleas really bad and they got rid of her and the fleas were horrible in the house and with Lilly staying there only like 2 night she had some on her and we finally got rid of them (THANK THE LORD) and haven't had them since (we have our own place now) and that's when I first noticed it but that spot cleared up and this spot now showed up and has been on there since before her last vet visit and it was the 3rd of this month. She doesn't itch it, lick it nothing... it's like it isn't even there besides me seeing it and it bothering me and if it weren't for that I wouldn't even know it was there. I could understand it being a birth mark if it was more like not scabbed and stuff... which I'm not sure if it's scabbed or if it's dry skin on it, I'm definitely going to remember to ask the vet on the 26th. Thanks for helping me!

Hmmm....so, this hacking is JUST since the bordatella? If yes, it makes me wonder if she has kennel cough. But, if it's really intermittent, then it doesn't seem like it.

Ah, IAMS. Chock FULL of allergens, read about here: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_f...ct=146&cat=all. If it were me, I'd get her off of it asap. I'd recommend Canidae All Life Stages or Innova, Wellness, Orijen, Evangers, California Natural. Definitely not anythings by Iams.

As for that "moving spot"....interesting. I'm at a loss on that one. Your girl is full of mysteries! ;)

Sounds like a typical case of kennel cough to me, take her to the vets and they can confirm that (if that is what it is) they may also be able to give you something to help soothe it. However the only real cure is time, you must isolate her from other dogs as it is highly contagious. Small amounts of natural honey and and breathing in warm steam (such as from a bath) with also help.

I agree about getting her off the iams, and also while you are at the vets you can ask about the spot.

But don't they give them something for kennel cough? I'm so confused, I thought they did the last time we were there, I'm almost positive the vet said something about it.

I also know that when we were there they gave her a drop of something in her nose through a syringe, I don't really remember what it was though. :/

Sometimes they give antibiotics to help the dog fight it. But there is no actual cure, apart from time. Much like when we have the flu.

The Bordatella vaccine can CAUSE kennel cough, in some cases - esp. young ones. (so, he probably recommended the Bord. vaccine to prevent the kennel cough, but in this case, the dog got it FROM the vaccine)

So, she'll eventually get over it or should I ask him about it when we go?

lily
 

I cannot help on the spot either my yorkie definitly snorts mostly when hes excited alot of yorkies do ! My moms yorkie snorts all the time ! :p Its part of her charm The itching i can help with Maybe, im a groomer I just attended a seminar on bathing and skin care Ask your groomer what kind of shampoo she uses The less ingredients the better And it is very important all the shampoo gets rinsed off that alone can cause itchy skin also Also Eveyone is so right on the nutrition I can recommend one called solid gold the puppy one is called wee bits I will be selling it in my shop Ive seen the advantages of it They have literature you can read up on also But # 1 !! Find a new vet ASAP they shoould not hurry you and send you home with questions if you like your groomer ask who she recommends or other pet owners you run into ask who they have alot of confidence in worrying about your yorkie can consume your life I know first hand One vet told me my babyboy had a tumor , A second opinion told me he had an absess tooth big difference SCARY ! Also im a member of groomers lounge .com there is alot of info and knowledgable groomers on there who may have seen that mark and know what it is Find a new vet right away ! they sound horrible you will find one that spends time and cares Goodluck your baby is adorable !

Thanks so much, your reply was quite a bit of help. That's the part that sucks though, I'm new to this town and even where I lived before it was rare for people to have smaller babies that constantly go to the vet. The groomer Lilly goes to is really good by how they treat her, how she looks when she leaves and everything (and it's the only groomer besides one other that's even around this area) but it's almost the same as it is with the vet. I can go in and expect to talk to them or whatever and it's like I'm sort of shrugged off which I really don't understand. I, myself, am a people groomer (haha) and I know how vital it is to be social so I'm always wanting to meet people and talk and when I go there to take Lilly and pick her up it's so weird and uncomfortable and awkward, kinda like it is when I take her to the vet and I HATE it. I don't know what I should do about the situation, I feel like I'm stuck.

Definitely ask, he may want to give antibiotics. Plus, they'll want to give the exam room a good wipe down after your little baby leaves. I hope she feels better very soon!

Having Bordetella does not mean didley squat, dogs still get the Kennel Cough aka tracheabronchitis. this sounds like KC to me.

My puppy just got it even tho he was fully vaccinated. His symptoms were the same. He sounded like a pig who is an old man. Unless this strain of KC is bacterial you should not have your puppy put on antiB's for a viral KC, there are two kinds, viral and bacterial. Bacterial you do AntiB's viral you do not.