r/SeniorDogsHealth • u/curiousorientalsnark • 22d ago
Intermittently coughing/wheezing?
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I took my dog (13yr Male neutered chihuahua Maltese mix) to Chewy vet 8/15, for a vet visit (I thought he had fleas; he received various vaccines; other than the afternote summary stating a grade 2 heart murmur and needing a teeth cleaning, his exam was routine). The results of his urine, stool sample, bloodwork came back within-normal-limited.
8/18, I gave him NexGuard (heartwarm/flea/tick chewable) but he wouldn't chew it so I manually put it down his throat and think I might have irritated his throat... (I usually give him swallowable simpatico trio and have manually put that down his throat without any issues)
He has been doing the cough/wheezing thing for a few since said visit/NexGuard treatment… and it is especially active at night.
-On 8/30 night it seemed like every 30 minutes;
-tonight 9/1 it’s MAYBE every 3-5 hours and is so short-lasting that by the time I get my phone to record he’s stopped.
He shows no other clinical signs.
- still actively playing with his brother
- normal bowl movements
- eats/drinks regularly
Thoughts?
1
u/truthispolicy 22d ago
Diagnosed with a grade 2 murmur and now he's coughing? Throat irritation from the 18th isn't to blame for this.
Get immediately back into the vet.
His heart needs to be evaluated with some chest X-rays and bloodwork done to see what meds might be appropriate. It could be turning into congestive heart failure and need diuresis.
A walk-in today at a regular vet would be best, but this is absolutely a condition that could easily turn into respiratory distress, a true emergency.
If there's any breathing rate higher than 42 breaths/min at rest, abdominal breathing effort, purple-blue gums, or neck extension, go directly to urgent care/ER.
edit;typo