Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. It’s possible that your dog has a respiratory infection that’s causing the sounds you’re hearing. Sometimes they can be only mildly affected and continue to act normally, and in a couple of days clear the infection on their own. However, if these signs don’t start improving within 48 hours, or definitely if they are worsening, I recommend getting her checked out to determine if she could have something foreign stuck in her throat, or have a more complicated problem such as pneumonia which requires specific drug therapy.
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :
The higher-pitched sounds result when relatively rigid tissues vibrate with the passage of air. It often occurs as the result of partial or complete blockage of the nasal passages or voice box (larynx), or collapse of the upper part of the windpipe (known as cervical tracheal collapse).
If you have an older dog who has started wheezing and coughing more frequently than usual, this could be an indicator that he has heart disease such as congestive heart failure. As this condition worsens, dogs develop fluid in their lungs which causes an increase in both wheezing and coughing.
Symptoms of Laryngeal Paralysis:
A change in your dog`s voice, such as a hoarse, deep or raspy-sounding bark, or a rattling sound when he breathes. Panting in unusual situations, such as when it`s not hot outside. Tiring easily, even during less exerting activities such as walking.
Some dogs have a condition known as paroxysmal respiration, more commonly called reverse sneezing. With this condition, the dog rapidly pulls air into the nose, whereas in a regular sneeze, the air is rapidly pushed out through the nose. The dog makes a snorting sound and seems to be trying to inhale while sneezing.
“Most dogs with contagious upper respiratory tract infections have a classic `goose honk` cough. Puppies are prone to developing nasal discharge, as well. Many dogs cough up foamy saliva, which can easily be mistaken for vomiting,” he says.
Signs of heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.
When your dog has difficulty breathing, you may notice fast, laboured breaths, a wide-open mouth and an extended tongue. You may also notice pale or bluish gums, panting, or your dog coughing a foamy, frothy liquid.
Dogs with chronic bronchitis generally have a persistent hacking cough. Some people describe it as sounding like a goose honking. However, any trachea-bronchial inflammation/irritation can produce a similar sounding cough.
The most common sign of tracheal collapse is a persistent, harsh and dry cough, sometimes described as a “goose-honking” cough. The signs may progress to a wheezing noise when breathing in, or in severe cases, difficulty breathing, gums or tongue turning blue, or fainting.
Rapid breathing in dogs may simply be down to excitement or exercise. Dogs may also pant when they`re in fear, stressed or hot. Panting is one of the most important ways a dog thermoregulates. But beware, heavy or rapid breathing is an early sign of heat stroke and should be closely monitored.
Dogs show a number of symptoms when they have a respiratory infection, including watery eyes, discharge from the nose, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and fever. Your dog may not want to play as usual or may refuse to eat.
The infection is normally caused by a virus or bacteria and is comparable to a chest cold in a person, ranging from minor to severe. A dog with an respiratory disease will often improve on its own in one to three weeks. Respiratory infections are highly contagious.
The cough associated with heartworm disease in dogs is often likened to the sound of a goose honking. If your dog tends to get into coughing fits after activity or eating, and if those coughs sound harsh and honk-like, then she may have heartworm disease or another heart related concern.
A dry, hacking cough can sound like a dog is trying to dislodge something from the throat or mouth. A raspy-sounding, hacking cough can be a symptom of kennel cough, a contagious upper respiratory illness that dogs often get from places where many dogs congregate.
Sometimes a dog wheezing is nothing to worry about and will go away on its own. But a dog continuously wheezing or demonstrating difficulty breathing could point to serious underlying issues of respiratory distress.
“As air passes by the obstruction, it creates a high-pitched tone that sounds almost musical.” Perhaps best described as a whistling sound, wheezing is just one of the various sounds you might hear while listening closely to your breathing.
What is a heart cough? In heart failure, your heart muscle has dysfunction that might be due to weak contraction or stiffness. This can allow fluid to back up in yout lungs, creating a condition called pulmonary edema. Your body coughs persistently in an effort to eliminate the excess fluid.
Stage 4: During this final stage of congestive heart failure, your dog`s breathing will become difficult even when they are resting. Fluid will likely begin to accumulate in various parts of your pup`s body, leading to swollen legs or abdomen, which will make walking difficult and may lead to vomiting.
Signs of ARDS include increased respiratory rate, blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (gums, insides of the eyelids) due to poor oxygen delivery, and, occasionally, coughing. Some affected dogs may have pink, foamy fluid from the mouth or nose, which is coming from the dog`s lungs.
Congestive heart failure is when a dog has edema of the lungs due to heart disease. Among other symptoms, this results in a wet, phlegmy cough caused by the excess fluid.
The sound of the cough of a dog with a collapsed trachea makes is very distinct. It is most often described as a harsh, dry cough that sounds similar to a honking goose.
High-pitched sound during breathing (stridor). High-pitched cough. Rattling noise or wheezing with breathing.
But in truth, many dogs live a good life with a collapsed trachea (windpipe) for years. Only at its most severe stage is the condition life-threatening. Although there`s no cure, a collapsed trachea can be managed with medication, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes surgery.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Q. When our 4 year old English Pointer breaths out there is a raspy wheezing noise. Otherwise she is her normal happy self.
ANSWER : A. It’s possible that your dog has a respiratory infection that’s causing the sounds you’re hearing. Sometimes they can be only mildly affected and continue to act normally, and in a couple of days clear the infection on their own. However, if these signs don’t start improving within 48 hours, or definitely if they are worsening, I recommend getting her checked out to determine if she could have something foreign stuck in her throat, or have a more complicated problem such as pneumonia which requires specific drug therapy.
Read Full Q/A … : Canine Coughing – The Dog Daily
Q. I have a 13 1/2 year old Shih Tzu. How old is he in dog years?
ANSWER : A. It’s used to be that dog years were 7 years to every 1. Now it normally around 5 years to every year as long as your dog is healthy and kept up with vaccines. So he’s about 68ish in dog years.
Read Full Q/A … : Shih Tzu Age
Q. 3yr old chihuahua mix. Has had shots. Seems to wheez when sleeping. Why is that?
ANSWER : A. It may be a conformational thing, in other words the way he’s put together. He might have a long soft palate (on the roof of his mouth) or slightly small nasal openings, and either of these things might cause him to make increased respiratory noises when he’s breathing deeply.
As long as he’s normal otherwise – eating/playing, urinating and defecating normally, not seeming out of breath or like he doesn’t want to move, and not breathing abnormally when awake – I think you could mention this to your vet at the next visit. He can listen with a stethoscope to hear any abnormalities. He may recommend chest x-rays to see if there’s anything unusual in his lungs.
Read Full Q/A … : ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu
Q. Does an indoor cat need to be vaccinated every year?
ANSWER : A. In practice, I recommend a feline combo vaccine every year, but will generally start administering every 3 years once they have had their kitten vaccines and 2 additional yearly vaccines. Rabies, is required yearly by law, and if kept up to date can be good for up to three years also. Based on the age of your cat I would give a yearly feline combo and rabies, and then boost the combo again next year.
Read Full Q/A … : Ask a Vet: How Often Do Cats Need Shots?
Q. My 9 year old lab has tested positive for heart worms. A feed store owner told me I could use Noromectin (ivermectin) to get rid of them? Is it safe?
ANSWER : A. The feed store owner is taking about the “slow kill” method for adult heartworms. This method is the considered an alternate method that has the following disadvantages over the normal immiticide treatment:
1) Takes years (often-times up to 2-4 years) to completely rid heartworms vs immiticide treatment which takes at most 3 months
2) Slowly kills baby worms only in the bloodstream, does not kill adult worms in the heart. Immiticide kills the adult worms that are in the heart directly which is why it is so effective.
3) Higher risk of thromboembolism (clots in the lung artery) than Immiticide treatment.
4) Adult worms will stay in the heart for years and can impede blood flow.
So that is the gist of doing the slow kill method for baby heartworms instead of the fast kill method with Immiticide for adult heartworms. Which is why most veterinarians will recommend the fast kill method as the best choice for your pets care.
1) Takes years (often-times up to 2-4 years) to completely rid heartworms vs immiticide treatment which takes at most 3 months
2) Slowly kills baby worms only in the bloodstream, does not kill adult worms in the heart. Immiticide kills the adult worms that are in the heart directly which is why it is so effective.
3) Higher risk of thromboembolism (clots in the lung artery) than Immiticide treatment.
4) Adult worms will stay in the heart for years and can impede blood flow.
So that is the gist of doing the slow kill method for baby heartworms instead of the fast kill method with Immiticide for adult heartworms. Which is why most veterinarians will recommend the fast kill method as the best choice for your pets care.
Read Full Q/A … : Heartworm Treatment and Home Remedies for Pets
Q. My cat has wheezy breathing, his third eyelid is almost half closed, lots of the time his eyes look tearfilled, phlegm in back of throut he coughs up
ANSWER : A. Wheezing, hacking, and eye tearing in cats is often the result of a viral upper respiratory infection. Symptoms may include sneezing, eye or nasal discharge, nasal congestion, eye squinting, lethargy, and inappetence. Common causative agents include herpesvirus and calicivirus. An exam with your veterinarian is recommended to make sure that his vital signs are normal, including a normal temperature. If he’ll let you check his temperature at home, you can. I suggest lubricating a thermometer and checking his temperature rectally. A normal body temperature for cats will range between 100.5 to 102.5. If his temperature is 103 or higher you should consider bringing him in to your vet. Additionally, if you see yellow/green discharge from the eyes or nose, increased frequency of sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, or open-mouth breathing I suggest bringing him to your vet right away. Viral infections, just like in people, can weaken the immune system allowing bacterial infections to occur, which requires veterinary prescribed antibiotics. If there are any other cats in the house, I recommend temporarily isolating them from your sick cat until his signs resolve. Minimizing environmental stress is also recommended for his recovery. If you have any other concerns or are interested in additional information I’m happy to follow-up with an online consultation.
Read Full Q/A … : Cat has a cold – upper respiratory infections in cats …
Q. I have 2 male cats 1 is 10 year’s old and the other is 1 year old they both have been fix and have all there shorts the 1 year old wants to bit
ANSWER : A. Your question got cut off; please re-post or request a consult if you require advice on a specific query
Read Full Q/A … : Are Two or More Cats Better Than One? – The Daily Cat
Q. I was wondering what would be the best dog for a nine-year-old 14-year-old and a nine-year-old that cannot walk
ANSWER : A. You should pick a gentle, no agressive, inteligent dog. some breeds are predisposed to this kind of character but you should always asses the single animal and its behaviour. You can choose from family breeds like labs, shephards, retrievers.
Read Full Q/A … : Caring for an Elderly Dog
