new puppy concerns - small shih-tzu 11 weeks old - 2 days with us from pet store.?

Question

Now he is coughing and gagging all the time. Any ideas? Poor thing...

Answer 1

Sounds like kennel cough....

http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/dekcough.html

Better get it to the vet ASAP

Answer 2

I have a Shih Tzu - she's only 1, so fresh in my mind. We got her from a great breeder at 6 weeks old. We were waiting for her to get old enough, we took her a little early. I remember her sneezing alot when very small. The breeder took her for her first shots, so I didn't take her for two weeks after I had her. So at her 8 week old visit, my vet told me that often baby Shih Tzu's have "sucked in noses" - not really sucked in, but if you look at your dogs nostrils, the 2 nostril holes will be almost closed due to the curve that the bottom of the nostrils make. It's very hard for them to breath. THEY GROW OUT OF IT QUICK! My baby didn't have any gagging. She had sneezing and some coughing. I don't know where you live? If you live in a hot climate (I do) that is part of your problem. With the nostrils being mostly closed, the panting and breathing cycle does not work for these dogs at a young age. They are not able to cool their body temp. down themselves. They must be kept inside. Mine has always been inside and still had problems in the beginning. Even playing and rough- housing has to be kept to a minimum because he will get himself to excited and not be able to catch his breath. If you look at his little nose, his nostrils are probably very small with the bottom part curved up to block the nostril. That will grow out so the nostrils can widen. My princess hasn't had any problems since the little puppy days. She plays and pants and breaths just fine. Yours will too. Just make sure your giving him small puppy food, maybe for the gagging?? If he's eating a pooing and peeing and happy, then he's probably just suffering from the normal Shih Tzu baby nose problem. He will outgrow it in no time, no heat for him though for the next couple of months until his face grows, that's very important.
Since you did get him from a store I would really watch and make sure this is all it is, he could have gotten some illness, kennel cough maybe from the animals around him. Hopefully, he's just a normal growing Shihty and you'll be fine with this info. Let me know if you have more questions, I've become "somewhat" of a shih tzu expert over the last year since I've had my baby! [e-mail]

Answer 3

First thing you should have not done was buy from a Pet Store. Those dogs are shipped to them at a very young age. They haven't been proper ween from their mother yet. You need to take your puppy to the vet..When dogs are around different dogs like that and hard telling how many was shipped with your puppy, he may have kennel cough. The fastest you can get your puppy to the vet, the better off your puppy would be. If you only knew how these poor little puppies were shipped to Pet Stores you would be angry. Pleas take your puppy to the vet, what all that puppy must have been through he/she needs to have a fighting chance.

Answer 4

The coughing could be kennel cough... and I too have Shih Tzus, so I know that the little sneezes are fairly normal, given the small size of their nasal cavity ! Mine usually start their little fits when they get excited... Since the dog is only 2 days with you, I'd have the vets check anyway just to be sure, as you will be going there soon to get the full exam and begin the shots regimen anyway !

Answer 5

I have a shih-poo and she sneezes a lot and does cough and gag some. Can you trace what is causing the coughing and gagging, is it just when he eats or all of the time? Is there any production with the cough or any vomitus? Every now and again my shih-poo will eat something very quickly and gag on it or will eat something very quickly when excited and run around then throw it all up. If you are really worried, go to the vet or at least call the vt and describe the cough to them for some advice.

Answer 6

It sounds like kennel cough, off to a vet, to delay could cost more than if you go now.

Kennel cough is a common complaint of pet shop puppies.
It is caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria. The viruses do not respond to antibiotics and the bacteria is normally resistant to many antibiotics which are approved for young puppies. This makes treating puppies very difficult. It is common in short nose breeds like the shihtzu. Were you given a guarantee with the puppy? A petshop may refuse to cover treatment but in most cases they are required to under warranty and/or lemon laws.

Answer 7

First, don't trust pet stores and their breeding. Could end up with problems.

Second, go to the vet soon. Sounds exactly like kennel cough. Usually not fatal but it's VERY uncomfortable for the dog and the pet store should be giving them the kennel cough vaccine. If not, you need to talk to them.

Answer 8

my mams got 2 puppys,shih-tzus,there sisters 1 is like the runt of the litter,always got pushed back,she was only small,when we first got them the size difference was really obvious,then we started hearing as if someone was snoring,anyway the little 1 started to breath very fast like kind of choking,it was scary,grunting everytime she breathed in,my mam asked the breader who is avery good one,she said dont worry,she had afew like that,all it is ,is because the face is flat and the little ones face was flatter than the big one by abig difference,its this what causes it,i mean we used to think she was gonna die all the time,but if its from apetshop,and its adefinite cough it could have picked up something from there,you should never get any animal from apetshop as you dont know were it been or what with,but you should let them know,and you normally get 12 weeks free pet insurance from when you take home,if not get some,my mam was worried sick as these dogs cost £450 each and she had fell in love with them there agood few month now about 5 or 6 month,and you can hardly hear any thing and you cant tell which is the runt

Answer 9

Could be kennel cough, its common in pet store puppies because they dont come from the nicest of places and its highly contagious. Id say a trip to the vet is in order. Shouldnt put you out too much becuase you probably have to go anyway for shots and things.

Answer 10

Hi, very possible he may have caught a bug while at the pet store such as kennel cough. Usually viruses are associated with other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy...etc. There is also the possibility of an obstruction if no other symptoms appear in relation to some sort of virus. Puppies chew on many things, so there could be something lodged in the esophagus. Take the pup to your local vet for him or her to diagnose. Let me know.

Answer 11

Contact the pet store immediately. Could be kennel cough, or something he's eating or it could be genetic. Pet stores sell pets for profit. They have limited health guarantees. You will frequently have to use the vet of their choice. Make sure you follow their instructions or you will be stuck with a vet bill and still may loose your pup. Don't forget to Spay or Neuter