Old female developing a cough

sgc · Post by **sgc** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 7:23 pm

I have a 15 year old female that has developed a cough over the last month. She hasn't been around any strange dogs in a long time, so I don't think its kennel cough (but could be). It seems to be worse on damp days. I thought it could be her heart finally giving out (congestive heart failure). I suppose, however, that it could be something like pneumonia. Anyway, I'm just guessing. I was thinking about putting her on penicillin or another antibiotic. She's not suffering, she has just slowed up some. I'm starting to wonder if the 5 month old pup I'm kenneling with her is at risk to catch anything from her. What are your thoughts? Stan

TOUCHSTONEBGLS · Post by **TOUCHSTONEBGLS** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 8:07 pm

If she has had it for a month he would probably have it by now. Should contact a vet on this one.

Windkist · Post by **Windkist** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 8:07 pm

Sounds like Heart enlargement cough. Many old dogs have this due to thickening of the heart and irregularities of the valves. As long as she is comfortable and eating well and seemingly having a good quality of life I wouldn't worry too much. There isn't really much you can do other than to make her comfortable.

Leah

Beagled1 · Post by **Beagled1** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:36 pm

Congestive heart failure, it sounds like. I lost a little mix breed dog to this many years ago. Developed a heart murmur in his old age, and was fine until he began coughing one morning during his walk. He'd passed away by that afternoon

Fortunately, tho, he didn't appear to be suffering much, just went to sleep .....
If you could feed lighter meals (smaller amounts of food but 2 or 3x daily) that would probably help immensely, as the heart has to work overtime to digest meals. If she's not already in a heated kennel or the house, it would probably be best to take her in. I'm sorry to tell you that theres nothing the vet can do, so giving her a comfortable quality of life is about all you can give her at this point.

sgc · Post by **sgc** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:36 pm

Thanks ! Thats about the way I saw it too.

TOUCHSTONEBGLS · Post by **TOUCHSTONEBGLS** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:27 pm

Could be many things. Bronchitis, sore throat, an infection, kennel cough,.... A diagnosis like heart enlargement cough or CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, based on the little bit of info you gave, would be humorous to me if not for my concern for the well-being of your female. If I called a vet and told him/her that my female had a cough for the last month and he offered this diagnosis over the phone without checking her out thoroughly, you can be sure I would be looking for a new vet. If that turns out to be her problem, at least she could be treated for comfort in her final days. Recomend taking her to a vet where her condition can be properly diagnosed and treated accordingly.

Windkist · Post by **Windkist** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:10 pm

No one suggested that this old gal not go to a vet. I just gave my opinion based on a lot of years of knowledge and having had some old dogs develop a cough which ended up being from heart problems. A coarse of amoxicillin couldn't hurt either. I certainly would not put a 15 year old dog through extensive testing or spend a fortune either.

By all means get her a thorough exam by someone Qualified to give their opinion.

Leah

TOUCHSTONEBGLS · Post by **TOUCHSTONEBGLS** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:56 am

[quote="Windkist"]Sounds like Heart enlargement cough. Many old dogs have this due to thickening of the heart and irregularities of the valves. As long as she is comfortable and eating well and seemingly having a good quality of life I wouldn't worry too much. There isn't really much you can do other than to make her comfortable.

[/b]Or could you possibly take her to the vet for an exam and some bloodwork to find out what is really wrong?
If the vet wants to do exploratory surgery on your 15 yr old female tell him to stay out of the med cabinet.

samlyn0001 · Post by **samlyn0001** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:06 pm

sgc

How is your hound? My first thought was also CHF. But I am under qualified too

Let us know how things turn out. At fifteen its been a great life!