Dog Hacking/Wheezing

[petlover2]

Hello everyone..
We have a female shizu lhasa who has been coughing that sounds like a mix of a hacking and wheezing and when this happens she is coughing up a small amount of white liquid. For a while we thought maybe she had a cold and the liquid was flem, like humans get. But it has gone on too long and her tummy is bloated. She is getting old, around 10 years and we have been trying to look things up to see if her symptoms match anything, but that gets very confusing. Other than the cough, she is her regular self. She of course isn't as hyper as she once was, but that's due to age. Her appetite is fine, she still eats and drinks and goes to the washroom regularly, and still loves our attention. So, I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this with their dog and what they did.

Thankyou for all your help!

[Winston]

Petlover2 sounds like a visit to the vet is in order...Sounds like some symptoms of kennel cough which I think is contagious...There will be more here who may know better but I would be off to the vet right away!!!

Good Luck

Cindy

[Hunter's_owner]

I agree, a trip to the vet is definitely a good idea. It may be something that needs antibiotics. Good Luck, and keep us posted.

Just wanted to add, the breed "shih tzu" is spelled as that, and when spelled properly it isn't a swear word

[petlover2]

Alright, thanks..


I guess that makes sense Hunter's Owner.

[SnowDancer]

You should take your pup to the vet as soon as possible. The symptoms are those of Kennel Cough, but could well be indicative of several other illnesses. My dog just recovered from Kennel Cough last week - he was vaccinated against it, but there are too many strains. I got him in to vet at first signs and he was given a cough suppressant which was wonderful. KC is extremely contagious.

[petlover2]

Well, she has had this for a good chunk of time where it goes..comes back..goes..etc. Our German Shepherd is totally fine, and our cats are very healthy. So this is really strange. The thing about the vet too is that you could end up going and having to pay tons of money. There's no doubt that we will take her there though.

Oh, and my parents have had friends who had dogs with kennel cough and had one of their own that had it and as soon as I mentioned that they said 'ohh noo she doesn't have that' so I guess in person it doesnt sound/look anything like KC.

[sugarcatmom]

You absolutely should be taking your dog to the vet and the sooner, the better. While it may be something like kennel cough, it could also be much more serious, possibly even congestive heart failure. Only a vet can make that diagnosis.

Dogs in the later stages of congestive heart failure become much less active and tire easily. Their appetite usually falls off and they show signs of difficult respiration, panting and coughing while at rest. Their tummy enlarges and takes on a pear-shape as fluid accumulates in the liver and abdomen.

I wish you and your pup all the best. Let us know what happens!

[petlover2]

Thank you everyone for all of your input and suggestions.

[Dobb]

Our former shih zu,,Beauty had similar coughing spells. She had congestive heart failure. We got her when she was 10yrs ,she was diagnosed with it on her first visit to the vet. With the proper medication she enjoyed life for 3yrs before she passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Even then it was a combination of cancer and Cushing's disease and a prolapseed uterus that was coming out 7-8 times a day that made the decision for us. Get to a vet for the proper testing and if it is heart related then the right meds will help your baby enjoy a longer life.
Dobb