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Posted by eup on December 6, 2007, 12:07 am, in reply to "dogs cough"
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A cough which sounds like a honk is sometimes an indication of collapsing trachea, as Karen mentions. It might be CT, especially since you mention she's had that honking cough since you can remember. That she has managed to make it to thirteen, is testiment to your good care. CT is a constricting of the dog's throat at excitement, changes in temperature, after exercise, and also may be noted when dog is drinking water- sometimes folks notice it then the most and find it more upsetting than does the dog. It is more common in toy or small breeds. You might wish to give her room temp or even luke warm water- never ice cold. Don't display panic at the cough- the dog will pick up on your body language and panic further. Eventually, if it is CT the throat will open again and the dog goes on as if nothing has happened. You might gently rub the front of her throat. You might offer her a piece of soft bread- small. Or other small soft treat. It could also be that she has the beginning symptoms of congestive heart failure- in combination with CT or even allergies- other, as Pat mentions- and imho a good guess are both Karen's and Pat's suggestions. Raise her water bowl up so that her neck does not have to bend down for the drinking of water- that might help her a little bit also. Dogs may live a very long time with symptoms of CT and if it is CHF, there are meds which can help treat the dog's symptoms and allow her to live a fairly normal life. Our senior poodle has both ct and chf- and she's sixteen. *G* BTW we used to breed and show american cocker spaniels- love the breed. Six weeks is too young to allow the puppy to go home with its new owner. But it sounds like you've done a fine job of tender loving care. If the cough worsens, I'd get a ref to a speciality vet. But if the dog is doing ok and has no other symptoms; lethargy, lack of interest in food, dull, sparsh coat (sometimes thyroid problems may have these symptoms along with cough- I'd not be overyly worried. Keep exercise periods - brief but frequent short walks for instance- and play periods- I'd guess she likes retrieving *G* How are her teeth? Sometimes an infection of gums or teeth may cause cough- (no doubt you've looked around in there- and I'd try to keep her mouth as clean as possible- dental wipes for dogs- less stress. We can't say for certain what is cough's cause or causes- but ct and chf are certainly things to check on for your wiggle bottomed gal, the spannie of charm and delight. I'll fetch a link- review whatever sounds like your dog's symptoms. But a hands-on vet exam is much more likely to determine cause.
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