Hi! I have a 7monthes old chihuahua mix. I was out of country for few weeks and just picked her up from a doggy day care few days ago. I noticed that she was coughing (or a snease...can't really tell) quite a bit. and also noticed that she had short of breath. I am worried that it might be heartworm....If you know ANYTHING, please help. Thank you.
2006-06-25 16:24:36 · 15 answers · asked by snow 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Her cough sounds like a snease. I thought it might be kennel cough but she is updated with all of her vaccinations...
2006-06-25 16:29:04 · update #1
Thank you SO MUCH for your responses. I just spoke to my vet on the phone, and I am taking her their immediately!
2006-06-25 16:54:20 · update #2
I wouldn't be freaking out about heartworm, most likely she has kennel cough. Does it sound like she's trying to hack something up? Sometimes the symptoms vary, but most the time it is a lot like a sneeze or a cough, and frequently it is very persistant. Kennel cough is an airborne virus and can easily be passed from one dog to another simply by sniffing noses. It is rarely life threatening unless it infects an old or very feable dog, but you should take her to the vet as soon as you can for antibiotics (there is a bacterial part to it if I remember right) and a cough suppresent to ease her discomfort. I don't know if your dog received the Bordetella vaccine, but kennel cough is what it is supposed to prevent. Unfortunately, just like the flu and kids at daycare, having the vaccine doesn't guarantee immunity, especially with viruses that can change. It does usually help by making them more resistant, but again, it's no guarantee. Anyway, get her to the vet and get her started on meds to keep her from being contagious. Keep her away from all other dogs (don't have to worry about other pets) as it is VERY contagious and rapidly spread. If she's already been exposed to others you should probably tell the owner as it is often dormant in their system for 7 to 10 days before the coughing symptoms show up (which would make sense with your trip), and they would also need to get meds. Oh yeah, and now that she's had it once it is not very likely that she will get it again, though that is not unheard of. In the future make sure she gets the Bordetella vaccine a minimum of 2 weeks prior to going to the kennel to get it in her system and boost her immunity. Also, if you take her any place where she will encounter other dogs (groomer, dog park, PetsMart) make sure she gets her Bordetella boostered every 6 months. I hope that helps, take care and good luck!
2006-06-25 16:28:01 · answer #1 · answered by Damaila 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dog Short Of Breath
2016-11-10 22:37:07 · answer #2 · answered by ustico 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be Kennel Cough it is easily caught in places like that. And your right it is also an early sign of heartworms. You will have to take him to the vet anyway.
There is a vaccine for kennel cough so next time u go away for awhile take the added precaution and get him vaccinated for all them doggy things that normally you wouldn't have to worry about at your house.
If she is up to date on everything then why would you assume heartworms? Is she not on a preventative? And Kennel Cough vaccine is not always given when its just one dog at home, its more of a communal thing.
2006-06-25 16:32:25 · answer #3 · answered by gnomes31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
My dog is coughing and has short of breath?
Hi! I have a 7monthes old chihuahua mix. I was out of country for few weeks and just picked her up from a doggy day care few days ago. I noticed that she was coughing (or a snease...can't really tell) quite a bit. and also noticed that she had short of breath. I am worried that it might be...
2015-08-07 00:41:12 · answer #4 · answered by Dniren 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there a reason you think that she is short of breath? If that is the case I would call your vet. I have called my vet in the middle of the night for many dumb things and many things that I was glad I called about later. They usually have an answering service and will page the vet on call. This is there job, do not be afraid to call them. There
is not a charge. It is free. It could be minor but why take the risk. Just dial the regular vet clinic's phone #.
2006-06-25 16:39:10 · answer #5 · answered by sally 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Might be a common condition called "kennel cough." It spreads pretty quickly and easily in situations like kennels, animal day cares, shelters and so on.
Take the dog to the vet.
2006-06-25 16:29:00 · answer #6 · answered by revjeffpsychic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you vaccinated your dog for kennel cough prior to placing her in day care, you probably have kennel cough. Which is serious.
It could be heart worm (what, no preventative?!?) it could be heart failure, could be allergies, could be roundworm cysts in the lungs, could be asthma.
Only your vet can tell you for sure. So take her. And for god's sake, heart worm is preventable. There is NO reason for any dog to ever get this disease again.
2006-06-25 16:34:06 · answer #7 · answered by momma dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the vets he could have kennel cough. They have medication for it. I would suggest you get on a puppy medical plan at Petsmart Banfield Pet Hospital. It will save you tons of vet bills.
2006-06-25 16:29:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably something more serious than heartworm disease, since heartworms take 6 months to mature, it is very unlikely that she has it. She could have kennel cough or something even more serious...check her gums, if they are BRIGHT PINK she is getting enough oxygen...if they are pale pink, grey, or blue...she needs to get to a vet RIGHT AWAY - she isn't getting enought oxygen!
2006-06-25 16:31:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heartworms was my first guess, until you mentioned the kennel. Now I'm not so sure. Take her to a vet in either case. It can't be very pleasant for her.
Good luck!
2006-06-25 16:32:56 · answer #10 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋