My greyhound, whose 8, has been coughing on occasion. What could this be? Any other greys with this problem?

Question

I noticed that when I take her outside and she's laying down, it's worse, which leads me to believe it's allergies. There are also times when she sounds likes she's choking in the evening after laying down like she's trying to get something out of her throat, like a wheezing sound. Any advice? By the way, I am going to call the vet tomorrow, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this with their dogs.

She gets her heartworm on time every month and is vaccinated against kennel cough.

I took her to the vet today and she said everything sounded fine and she did not sound like she was in distress, so she was put on two weeks worth of doggy Amoxicillin. Hopefully, that will do it. After the two weeks, she will go back for blood work. She didn't think she had allergies because her nasal passages were clear and her eyes were not watery. Hopefully just a respiratory infection. Thank you all for your kind words and comments.

Answer 1

Could be kennel cough. Like the flu in humans. No worries there, it will clear up on it's own. Consider antibiotics to keep it from turning into Pneumonia.

Could be Heartworm disease. Is she on preventative (Heart Guard, Interceptor, Revolution etc)? This is bad news. Depending on the level of infection, and her age, you may be facing some hard decisions, and EXPENSIVE treatment.

As old as she is, only a vet can rule out cancer (sorry to mention the "C" word). There could be a tumor in her lungs, on her heart, or chest cavity. A little extreme, I know, maybe it will turn out to be just allergies.


Good Luck to you, I hope everything comes out OK!!

Answer 2

Well you seem to be a well informed doggie owner, and that is great. Its good to see you care so much for your greyhound. ^_^

If its a repeat problem, then I would rule out things like a throat obstruction (having eaten something like hair). It does sound a lot like alergies. Are her eyes clear, or do they water a lot? Also some dogs get itchy ears, when they have allergies.

Since she's 8, i wouldn't rule out other problems related to age. She is an older dog after all. Don't just phone the vet, take her in for a visit. They can check her for heartworms, they might listen to her chest to make sure theres no obstruction sounds, or they might suggest an x-ray if they think there may be a problem like fluid in the lungs. They can also do an allergy test for her.

Answer 3

There's lots of possible causes for coughing. She needs to see the vet for a diagnosis which most likely means a chest x-ray. Hopefully it's just allergies, but if she coughs when laying down in the house too, especially at night, could be more serious, heart disease. I wouldn't suspect that with a greyhound, though, but it's safest to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Coughs are self perpetuating, so she's liable to get a sore throat from it as well. I really hope she'll be ok!!

Answer 4

Could be allergies, but I doubt it. Could be heartworms--Usually shows up first with respiratory symptoms and choking. Could be she has something caught in her throat. Could be a lot of things. After you see the vet, let us know. Good luck.

I hear what you're saying but heartworm medicine isn't 100% effective. Your dog can still get infected. I hope this isn't the case, but you can't completely dismiss it. Same is true with Kennel cough--your dog can still get it even if vaccinated, but it's usually a milder case.

Answer 5

I hope not, but it could be heart worms. When an older dog who lays around becomes active, then starts coughing it can be a possibility. Otherwise, maybe a tumor/cancer or other problem with the lungs. Hope all is well after the vet visit! Best of luck.

Answer 6

It maybe kennel cough,your dog could get it from a kennel or if there is another dog that came from the kennel has contact with your dog.My pup has a bad cough and she sounds like she is choking,my neighbors dog got it from my dog by just sniffing and playing thur the fence.Take her to the vet she may need antibiotics.

Answer 7

Could be your dog has a salivary gland infection..similar symptoms and generally treated with antibiotics.
Is your dog eating grass or her toys ?
Look carefully at bowel movements. They often give you clues as to what the dog might be eating.
Hopefully not but but It could also her heart ...a murmur, heartworm, etc... I'd take her to a vet .

Answer 8

Sharp inhale through the nose? There is a thing called a reverse sneeze that may be what your looking at. Usually a mild allergy.

Answer 9

upper respiratory chest infection or heartworws but probably heartworm mine is in the last stages of heratworm treatment two more weeks to go.i will never have another dog if i cant afford to treat it for heartworms monthly like your surpose to.

Answer 10

It could be many things.... allergies, heart failure, lymphoma, etc. It might be a simple infection or something she swallowed. Since she is a greyhound and 8 it is probably her thyroid swollen.