Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hi,
I'm not sure if I'm writing to share/vent or ask advice....but, something is wrong with Sugar.

It started Thursday when she would make a loud congested sounding breath every once in a while, maybe 2 or 3 times that day. She otherwise was fine, eating, happy, the rest of her breathing normal, etc so I kept my eye on her. That night getting close to bedtime, she would do that congested sounding breathing noise, and also started to gag and/or dry heave or throw up a little bit of bright white "stuff".

That night when we went to bed, she carried on ALL night with the dry heaving/vomiting. We didn't get much sleep at all, as she sleeps on the floor next to our bed. I took her to the vet in the morning and she looked her over and didn't find anything specific. No fever, lungs were clear, lymph nodes fine, etc. Sugar had an appetite, was alert, and fine otherwise. She said Sugar either ate something that upset her stomach or there could be something she ate that is stuck inside of her. Her suggestion was either be aggressive and do xrays to look for something that may be stuck in her, or treat it like an upset stomach with anti vomiting meds and a mild diet that day and see what happens. I opted for the anti vomiting meds and went home with a can of special dog food for upset tummies.

That next night, Friday, she still had some spells of dry heaving but not as much. Seems to happen more at night. There were still occasions of the congested sounding breaths.

She ate her breakfast on Saturday again with no problem and we had to go out for a couple of hours and left her at home by herself. When we got back, she had a bit of white thick mucus coming out of her left nostril. I called the vet again and she asked about any other symptoms. Nothing - no sneezing, coughing, rubbing her nose, etc, just the same things with the congested breath every once in a while and the odd dry heave. She said it still could be a blockage, or an infection so anitbiotics could help just in case. If she gets worse, or other new symptoms develop, they would have to probably do xrays. I picked up the antibiotics.

Last night she was much better, only did one or two dry heaves when going to bed and slept through the night (but she is also still on the anti vomiting meds). Today, her nose had some more white mucus. Nothing constant, just a couple of times it was there and she otherwise seems to be fine. When she barks, I think her throat is sore and it causes her to gag, or sound hoarse but with all the throwing up she did the other day, its no wonder.

SO, the dry heaving/vomiting part is improving, the congested sounding breaths seems to remain the same and the mucus is new but isn't constant. Other wise she is fine - alert, good appetite, etc

Has anyone else heard of or had their dog with these symptoms?

My senior lab has the same symptoms. He has a heart problem, the valves are not closing properly and he gets fluids in his lungs.
I read that heart worms are causing also coughing and hacking.
I hope your vet finds out soon. I know what you are going through. It is heart breaking to see them that way.

Has your dog had bordatella vaccine yet? Has he been exposed to other dogs lately? I've had rescues with 'kennel cough' that developed into secondary infections affecting the nasal passages. It is highly contagious. I always started antibiotics to prevent secondary infection but it still took a while to run its course. IMHO the bordatella vaccine only covers a few of the strains though.

Heartworm investation is prevalent in the deep south and dogs have to be on prevention year round. There are several stages of progression, one of which has intense coughing and gagging to the point of vomiting but I've never noted any nasal discharge. The latter stages include bloody sputum from coughin (sorry-graphic). Almost every GSD rescue that I fostered had heartworms. Treatment is awful.

I cant add any medical knowledge but I just want to say I know its hard to watch when they are sick and I hope she is better soon

Sugar has had the bordatella vacination, but I know its not 100%.

Shes been getting better, no more gagging/vomiting, but still a bit of the congestion sound but seems less now, and still some "snot" coming from her nose but only a little bit and during the day. Other then that, she is her normal self.

The little stinker tho, when I give her the antibiotics, I put the pill in some cheese, and I have to watch her to make sure it goes down as she will eat the cheese, then spit the pill out on the floor! Its hard not to laugh when she does it, 'cause it is kinda cute

Good to hear she is getting better.

You can try to crush the pill between two spoons and mix the powder into her food.

I've given so many pills for so long that I just shove them down their throats now. THEN they get the treat.

I'm so glad to hear that she is feeling better!

HI, Just an update, Sugar seems to be all better now. No symptoms for a whole day now. The vet had called to follow up with how she was doing and thought it could be seasonal allergies. Anyway, glad she is all good now, whatever it was!

excellent!!!!

k9katet wrote:I've given so many pills for so long that I just shove them down their throats now. THEN they get the treat.

Same here, Heather. Even with my cats.

Be very careful about grinding/crushing nasty tasting pills like antibiotics...made the mistake of doing that with one of my cats (on bad advice), and it's taken a long time to get him to eat his usual raw food again, as he associates it with the nasty taste of the antibiotic.

Also, when you do give a dog a pill, esp with the push down the throat method, try to get him/her to drink a bit of water after, even if you have to bait it. Otherwise, the pills can start to melt in the esophogus...not a good thing

leih merigian wrote:Be very careful about grinding/crushing nasty tasting pills like antibiotics...made the mistake of doing that with one of my cats (on bad advice), and it's taken a long time to get him to eat his usual raw food again, as he associates it with the nasty taste of the antibiotic.

My old dog, Copper, just sees certain bottles and he shakes his head like he has a bad taste in his mouth and says "YUCK!" It's very cute and we laugh at him.

Good to hear that Sugar is better. You must be very relieved.

Yes, I am, thanks