She has these spells that to me seem like she is hyperventilating. Once we calm her down she will stop and breath fine, till her next attack. Any suggestions on what we could do for her.
2006-08-20 16:50:01 · 8 answers · asked by bridgeh3k 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
That sounds more like an allergy attack. My pappillion has these. He literally will cough/hack so hard & so fast that he ends up splaying his rear legs out behind him trying to catch his breath. Scares the heck out of me, but I work for a vet & we monitored him at work for a couple days till Dr saw him do it. After chest xrays & blood work, he determined that he has a good large trachea, no chest congestion & perfect bloodwork. This just leaves allergies. I give him an antihistamine/cough suppresent for a few days when he starts having attacks & they go away.
2006-08-20 17:20:01 · answer #1 · answered by pritigrl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm, I don't have any suggestions as such... but I don't think Yahoo Answers is the place to be looking.
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00202.htm
Cough Suppressants
Chronic airway inflammation causes production of lots of thick mucus, probably as a protective mechanism to trap the offending irritant from reaching the lung. Coughing is very important to clear this mucus and should be thought of as a protective physiologic reflex. However, there are many cases in which the cough is dry and non-productive. In these situations, the cough is not protective and serves to further irritate the airway, leading to a vicious cycle of cough-irritation-cough. In addition, some dogs with chronic cough are unable to sleep and may awaken their owners at night. Occasionally, some dogs with chronic cough may become syncopal. In each of these clinical settings, cough suppression may be indicated. I use hydrocodone bitartrate, 0.22 mg/kg PO q6-12h as needed. This is a starting dose, and I increase the dose and the frequency until the cough is greatly reduced or the dog is asleep. Literally!
In practice, the most common side effects of high doses of hydrocodone in dogs are drowsiness and constipation. I use 1 teaspoon of metamucil for the constipation and I reduce the dose of hydrocodone during the day to decrease the somnolence.
If it's hyperventilating, not COUGHING then it sounds like the bronchitis is causing something else. Could she have developed asthma? It might be worth it to you to also seek a second opinion.
I'm not finding much information about Dachshunds and bronchitis so I don't think it's something that particularly affects the breed more than others. Still, it might not hurt to join a dachshund forum. Someone with experience with bronchitis in any breed might be found there
http://www.hotdogblog.com/modules/newbb/
Is there a possibility that certain conditions cause her to have fits more often? Like when it gets very humid or dusty? Perhaps a dehumidifier (if your home is very humid) could help. Or maybe an air filter for dust or mold problems. I have issues with bronchitis and dust flares me up every time.
Best of luck with your Dachshund. It must be so upsetting to see her so uncomfortable.
2006-08-21 00:04:16 · answer #2 · answered by moosh_moosh_smoosh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd recommend a second opinion...there may not be anything your current vet can do, but that doesn't mean that there isn't anything that another vet couldn't do. Go for the second opinion right away! It could be something more serious than bronchitis (such as allergies or even a heart condition) that may require treatment that another vet is able to provide.
2006-08-21 00:09:19 · answer #3 · answered by boxerpitk9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take your puppy to another vet. My dog has chronic bronchitis, and the vet gave me prednisone. It helps a lot. I don't give it to her all the time, because prednisone is a steroid, but about once a month and the attacks are fewer and don't last as long. I wish you luck. The attacks can be scary.
2006-08-21 01:20:36 · answer #4 · answered by Emma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is your dog..
when mine were getting close to 10 or older, they would begin to gasp for breath, quickly.. I would gently caress the front of their throats and talk soothingly.. they'd calm. beyond that, there was little anyone could do.
It has to do with their age.. I was told it is nature slowly bringing an end..
Pudge, my 10 1/2 yr old husky/shepherd has been on water pills (for years now), as she comes down with the same thing.. maybe that would help..
2006-08-21 00:04:08 · answer #5 · answered by sassy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need to see another vet. she might have allergies. did the doc diagnose her as truly having chronic bronchitis? if so then there are medications to help. even a low dosage of steroid to reduce the swelling. but she might be having other issues and i don't want to alarm you . best recommendation is a second opinion. hope she feels better soon. :(
2006-08-20 23:59:53 · answer #6 · answered by MotherNature 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just be sure to not expose her to high outside or inside tempratures.Other then that her doctor knows what is best.I hope she feels better soon=)
2006-08-20 23:57:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.talktothevet.com/VETERINARIANS/veterinarians.HTM
2006-08-21 00:24:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋