Coughing Loogies?

[Amber]

I have a year old maltese named Racer. I am aware of what inverted sneezing is and I have heard him do this several times. He got groomed 3 days ago (his 4th grooming).

When he got home he started to cough like he was "hocking a loogie up" it even looked as if he might get sick. I just rubbed his back and softly told him it would be ok. I could tell it scared him as much as me. He has been doing this about 2-3 times a day after I get home from work.

We do feed him cooked meals that the vet said are not harmful for him to eat and I give him treats for good deads. He eats his soft treats and the cooked food given, but since Sunday he will no longer eat his food. On a regular basis he eats the same amount of cooked, same amout of treats, and later on he eats his food. I set with him for 30 minutes and tried to play with him to get him to eat but it wasn't happening.

I have also noticed he hasn't "pottied" Since Saturday night. (the day before grooming). He's peed plently but not pooped.

I called the vet and informed them I could not get there until Friday afternoon ( WHICH I HATE and alot is due to me being sick and missed work)
they told me to give his Robitussen and if it doesn't get better to bring him in.

He is acting the same, playful, curious, just these things that are worrying me. He doesnt seem to be in any sort of pain.

I am a first time maltese mommy and I'm worried this could be serious after reading about tracheas and such. Has anyone else experienced this before?

[JesBred]

What did the vet say the Robitussen is for?

If you are sure that it is not reverse sneezing (you try holding his nose when he "coughs" see if it stops it), it could possibly be kennel cough or bronchitis. Has he been vaccinated? When he coughs is he actually coughing up anything? If he is not breathing heavy or making a "honking" noise when he hacks, it doesn't sound like collapsed trachea.

Regardless I would not wait until friday to take him to see a vet. I would go today if you can. Especailly if you are for sure that he has not had a bowel movement since saturday.. that a long time to not do the number 2 for a little dog.

[JesBred]

Oh and..

WELCOME TO MALTESE TALK!

[Amber]

He has had all the shots he needs until November. The Robitussen was for a sore throat. She said that a sore throat could be irritated by dog food. he is not coughing up anything, it's as if he wants to cough up something and he's keeping it in his mouth or he can't get it out of his throat. He is not making a honking noise. It's like a reverse sneeze with a "throwup" like action involved.

[Morkie4]

Hi Amber and Welcome to Maltese Talk!

Sorry to hear about your little Racer.......Brandy had a coughing spell not too long ago and coughed up foam and a little blood. I gave her some cough medicine that they give babies in a dropper for a few days and the cough went away. I'm not sure what caused it but it just happened out of the blue. She has trachea problems from a previous surgery so I think she may have irritated it with all her coughing.

As far as the pooping goes; give him a tablespoon of canned 100% pure pumpkin and that should help him. Hope the little guy is feeling better soon! They sure scare us sometimes and sometimes it is something very simple; let's hope it is nothing more than irritation of the throat that is causing him not to eat but the not pooping seems a bit more serious.

[Amber]

Thank you very much morkie! I'll reply tomorrow and let you know of any changes.

[Morkie4]

Thank you very much morkie! I'll reply tomorrow and let you know of any changes.

Yes, please keep us updated. Oh and the cough meds for the babies that I gave Brandy did the trick and stopped the cough ....... hope all goes well over night!

[Angels4]

Do you think that Racer's coughing could be from the grooming loop that is placed around the neck to keep a dog still while on the grooming table, etc.? Maybe the loop pressed against Racer's throat?

Hope Racer will be feeling better soon.

[MorkieMom]

Welcome, and sorry Racer is not feeling well, I hope all goes well for both you and him.

[dwerten]

http://www.maltesetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7775

check out these three videos -- is it kennel cough ?

[Amber]

I got home Friday and Race had not eaten one of his treats. Once I tried to feed him one he could barely eat it, so off to the vet we went!!!

She said due to him having been groomed Sunday it was Kennel Cough. She also informed me this was going around so be careful! With a little nose spray and cough drops to take home racer is feeling better. Thank you for all your help with this situation! Now i'm questioning if i should demand a free grooming. and then never go back.

[Morkie4]

:eek: :eek: :eek: Kennel Cough??? Holy Moley!!!! I would certainly let the groomer know and ask if they check out their clients for them having the bordatella shot or if they do not require if of their clients. I get the shot once a year since we travel and walk the dogs in a common area where other dogs have been. So sorry to hear that little Racer caught it but glad you got it in time to bring him some relief!! He'll be fine in a few days. :) Thanks for the update!

[Amber]

I called to inform them that he had this, so his cage could be cleaned extra. Called as a good citizen who didnt want any one else's dog to be sick over mine. The grooming manager was so unprofessional, yelling at me, insulted me as a parent, and even insulted my vet! We will not be back and I called the let the head manager know.

[JesBred]

Wow if the groomer was that unprofessional to you after getting your dog sick I would definatly be filing complaints.. are they part of the Better Business Bereau?? I would report them if they are..

So sorry to hear about Racer.. Glad you finally got him to the vet before it was to late!! Hope he feels better soon!!