Does anyone know what's wrong with my dog?

Question

Our family dog, Black Lab/Collie Mix, is 11yrs. old and in the past few weeks we definately have noticed many changes in him. When he was a puppy he jumped out of a truck going down the highway, so obviously his hips are giving out. But then we noticed that he has a terrible cough. It sounds like maybe he has something small (hopefully) lodged in his throat and just can't get it out. My mom, however, doesn't want to take him to the vet because then they'll want to do work on him ($) and we don't know how much longer he will live. I just don't want him to suffer, so if any of you have heard of (or have had experience with) this problem, please could you let me know what you did??

My mother is NOT a cheapskate she just doesn't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a dog that might not live much longer after the treatment (if they give him one). So please, do NOT dis my mom!!

Answer 1

Stop right here: Some of the suggestions written to you are alarming. Dogs do not respond to medications like people do for example, dogs CANNOT have tylenol. It will shut their liver and kidneys down and they will die. That said...


If you simply tell your vet that you cannot afford heavy treatment, they won't do things you don't approve. They can't force you to pay for something you don't approve. Go over every option with the vet, weigh them and choose what's best for your family and the well being of your pet.

This is a serious situation your pet is in. What you need to be sure of is that he isn't suffering. This is the most important thing for you to do, it's your job and only you can help him now. If your mom won't take the dog to the vet, call a friend, your other family members, or the vet yourself and explain the situation and see what they say. Do NOT DO NOTHING!

Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, I would say the terrible cough may be due to something possibly being lodged in its throat, hopefully something small. This maybe a result of jumping out of a moving vehicle, I would guess possibly a truck, on a highway, going DOWN the highway, usually not UP the highway. (Going UP the highway, you will usually find your dog will have an urge to urinate on the family cat.) If this is the case, you might notice some changes in has personality. All these symptons are common, especially if a dog is about, oh, say 10 or 11 years old. One more thing, be careful....one other side effect is its hips might give out soon.
Good luck! I hope I've helped here...

Answer 3

The dog really needs to get to a vet. A cough can be minor or it can be something major like a heart condition. Also, the vet can prescribe some medications that can help with the pain your dog is feeling because of his hips.

Your mom is teaching a great lesson in compassion. Apparently the only thing that is important is getting a return for your money. Remember that when she is old and needs medical care. You won't want to spend too much since you don't know how much longer she is going to live anyway.

Answer 4

Since you would be writing here if you had extra $$ I will not tell you to go to the Vet. You usually go and the first thing they want to do is clean you dogs teeth. As a pet and some people get older they can start getting fluid around the heart which causes a cough. Try to keep the humidity a little higher and provide lots of water. Spend this time to enjoy your beloved pet as much as you can. My dog lasted a few years after finding out that this was the problem. My heart goes out to you as I have been there and it still hurts. Best of Luck Dog Lover Di P.S. If this cough is non-stop you must attend at the vet because if you dog has been in contact or near other dogs he could have kennel cough which is treatable but hard on the dog. Be blunt when you go to the Vets and tell them that you do not want any geriatric blood test and you do not want to go in that direction. They have to respect your rights and your pocketbook.

Answer 5

You have gotten many good answers already, I just want to add a little something. The cough could be caused by MANY things, nobody can tell you without seeing your dog the cause of a cough. (heartworm, heart disease, lung cancer, fungal disease, asthma, kennel cough, megaesophagus and on and on).

When you take your animal to the vet, YOU decide what will be done and what won't. The vet's job is to give you all options available. They are not the ones who decide what test or treatments will be done, that is ALWAYS your choice. Many things, even bad things (my dog has lung cancer and she does great on a very inexpensive medication - only symptom was a mild cough) can sometimes be controlled without too much cost, and still be giving the animal a good quality of life. You don't always have to do "everything" to be doing right by your pet.

Talk your Mom into taking him in, be sure to ask the cost of everything before letting them do anything, and ask for ALL options, not just what one thing they may offer you.

Good luck and I hope things turn out well.

Answer 6

Hip problems are pretty much untreatable in older dogs, consider giving him a tablet of aspirin twice a day to help with pain. As for the coughing, there could be several reasons. It may be kennel cough, which is easily picked up...anywhere. My dog had it when I got her, she'd been living in a back yard with two other dogs. The other two dogs didn't get it, but it is contagious. If it sounds like he's hacking with his entire body, just take him to the vet. It cost me all of $60 to take care of my pooch when she had kennel cough. Tell your vet ahead of time that you don't have a lot of money to throw around, so he/she will diagnos the problem and not try to get you to do a bunch of other things. Dogs are part of the family no matter what. Even when they get old, they still love you. It isn't right to let them suffer for no reason just because someday they WILL die.

Answer 7

He is getting up there in doggy years, it could be a numerous amount of things. Feel his nose. If it is dry then he has a cold or flu, that could cause the coughing. If his nose is wet then maybe something is caught in his throat but I can't imagine it going on for 3 weeks and he hasn't choked to death yet. It could also be he is becoming allergic to something in your house. Like I said it can be so many things. Call your vet anyway and just explain over the phone what your dog is doing. They can give advice to you. Good Luck!

Answer 8

The cough you're describing is often a symptom of congestive heart failure or pneumonia. It makes him very tired because he's not getting enough air. He's at the end of his life and he's probably suffering. It may be time to consider putting him peacefully to sleep, especially if your parents don't want to spend any money to keep him comfortable. That's a lousy way to reward a dog for a lifetime of loyalty. Remind them that they can be charged with animal cruelty for not taking proper care of him - that can mean a $1000 fine, which is a LOT more expensive than taking care of the dog.

Answer 9

my 11 year old lab collie mix had the same issues. hips have nothing to do with it.

when a dog starts coughing thers is either a serious infection, or cancer, or something else of that nature.

Watch for signs of loose bowels, incontinence, and lack of appetite. mine started out with the coughing for about a couple months, progressed to the runs, and ended up not eating for three days.

she had lung cancer and we didnt even know it, she had to be put down.

You can go to the vet and explain to them that you just dont have the money to fix a major problem, and they will give you the option of taking the animal home to suffer and die (basically drown to death and the tissue swells and liquid pressed against the lungs and rib cage) or have it put down.

its a rotten *** death. Even if its just an infection, with his age and lack of activity, his immune system would be weakened and fighting pneumonia would be a losing battle.

Its not natural for four legged animal to cough, its a sign of infection, or a worse condition.

Answer 10

My dog is a lad has hip trouble and is 11 years old. No cough though so I think you better bust open the piggy bank and spend the money on a vet. Whats up with your Mom? My dog and yours got lots of years left in them if they are loved and well taken care of.