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Melinda | 1 week ago
About 2 Months Ago My 11-Year-Old English Chocolate Lab Started Developing A Cough. It Started Off Mild …

About 2 months ago my 11-Year-Old English chocolate Lab started developing a cough. It started off mild at first with a couple coughing fits here and there. I got her to the vet as soon as I could get an appointment. She was ruled out for kennel cough because she’s up to date on shots, she never is boarded and she never goes to dog parks. They started a round of antibiotics, and cough suppressants. It didn’t seem to work so we went back. They did a lot of tests which of course was a lot of money. She’s diabetic so congestive heart failure was a concern but through testing and an X-ray they said they don’t believe it has to do with her heart & there didn’t seem to be fluid around her lungs either.. She was then put on steroids because they thought it might be inflammation. It didn’t seem to help any & her cough has only gotten progressively worse. We went back again and now they put her on a different round of antibiotics & another script that I have to fill at a human pharmacy for Codeine I believe. She has coughing fits almost every 20 to 30 minutes and sometimes with rubbing of her neck it helps calm them down. Her coughing spasms generally produce a lot of phlegmy spit up. I’ve spent more money than I have to try to get her help but we haven’t been able to get any answers. I was told it could possibly be Laryngeal Paralysis but the only way to truly confirm was to take her to a specialist and spend a lot more money to put my 11-year-old senior diabetic dog under sedation for an invasive procedure to diagnose. I’m not even sure what the fix for that would be if there is one and I’m sure it’s thousands more $$$ for a girl who may not make it through all that. It’s heartbreaking watching her struggle., I don’t really know what to think or do, just at a devastating loss watching my poor girl suffer. Within the last week, my once always hungry Labrador who never turned down any type of food down has stopped eating her normal food and treats that she used to love. She now only accepts wet food and soft meaty treats. I’m not really sure where to go. I don’t think the ER is the best answer here and again I’ve spent way more money than I even have to try to find an answer. Just trying to find any guidance/advice/assistance/suggestions and/or answers that I possibly can. Thank you in advance.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry that you are having so much difficulty finding the cause to this.
    There is no way around the fact that some patients come to us with more difficult conditions than others. When we struggle for the answer the best way to get to the bottom of the problem is to get a second opinion and a new set of eyes. I don’t think there is anyway around seeing a new vet and probably spending more money to rerun some of the tests.
    The other option is to see if your vet can send the X-rays to a radiologist for review and ask for a vet consult via the lab work provider they use. For cases like this I can lean on a specialist to help me with the difficult cases I see. I use ANTECH and Idexx for my lab services and they both offer online consults for vets. They also both offer radiologists to review my X-rays The phone consult is free and the radiologist review is often about $150. It might help.
    Otherwise you are stuck with just trying additional medication to see if they help.
    X-rays also have limitations and a CT scab might be needed to see the area of the throat or chest causing the issue. I’m sorry I wish I could help more.

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Ethan | 12 months ago
Sudden Change In Dogs Behavior

Good evening. Before reaching out and scheduling an appointment with vet in the morning. I will ask here.

We have a 9 year old Sharpei-Hound mix named Emma, that has had a significant change in personality with-in the last 3-4 days. Overall her “Normal” behavior is what you would imagine with a blood hound; laid back and basically lazy. But when she’s outside her Sharpei side shows; playful but a little more on the aggressive side.

We have a fenced in property, and ability to closely monitor her and our other dog; a 12 year Chocolate Lab. With that said, 1 week ago February 25th we were going through our bedtime routine. Both dogs went out. Our Lab came back in rather quickly, but Emma stayed out a little longer before making her way back to the door.

When she came inside, she was shaking very much and appeared traumatized. My wife and I attempted multiple times to check her over and give her some love. But very unlike herself she did not want any part of it. She had No signs of cuts or abrasions or any type of trauma. But the only thing was when we touched the top of her head more over her left side she would yelp and whimper.

The next day she was back to her normal self. Only with in the last 3-4 days we are noticing some rather concerning things with her. That has never been previously observed.

1.Today she has developed a lump about the size of an acorn on the top of her head and still cries out when touched.

2. Appetite has not diminished, but she has had an increase in amount of water drinking.

3. She seems to be having trouble hearing.

4. Significant “Spotting” the last 3 days. This has never occurred before. And yes she is spayed.

5. Tonight when letting the dogs out after supper, I found Emma sleeping on her bed but with her eyes wide open and shallow breathing. I initially thought she had passed away suddenly, but after jolting her she awoke and came to in this rather “dazed and confused” state.

6. I would say that she is a slightly lethargic, she still wanted to go out and play but was more stand off-ish when around other dog and kids.

As stated we found no signs of being bitten by another animal, and until within the last day or so she has been her normal self. She has no underlying health problems, and is very active for being 9 years old.

We will be setting up an appointment, but in the meantime looking for help or assistance of others who have experienced this with their dog.

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  1. Laura

    I can’t fathom what this might be, though a toxicity comes to mind. Definitely get her to the vet.

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Eli | 2 years ago
Hi Krysta, Just Recently Saw One Of Your Videos Regarding IVDD Our Soon To Be 6 Yr …

Hi Krysta,

Just recently saw one of your videos regarding IVDD our soon to be 6 yr old Chocolate Lab Bruschi was recently diagnosed with this condition. We don’t know what to do surgery seems out of the question financially. What are some physical therapy practices we can do to help him? Please advice

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I did a very thorough write up on almost every part of this between my YouTube channel and rhe blog kmdvm.blogspot.Com. Search Ivdd. It is important to keep trying to help your pup maintain muscle mass and start re learning how to stand and walk. The first steps of this are managing pain and helping to maintain normal urine and defecation and avoid getting any infection (bladder included). Then as the pain starts to dissipate work on regaining strength and ambulating.

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Brenna | 5 years ago
Is It Common For Puppies To Wet Themselves Napping?

Is it common for puppies to wet themselves napping (or could it be a UTI or something else)? I have a 10 week old female chocolate lab. We take her outside to pee very frequently, but she sometimes wakes up from a short nap during the day and one side of her body is soaked.

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  1. Laura

    The only time we found a mess in the crate, it was a UTI. Head to the vet.

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Morgan Duff | 5 years ago
I Have A Chocolate Lab Chewing Her Fur Raw All Over Her Body

I have a chocolate lab chewing her fur raw all over her body

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It is time to call your vet and ask for help. Itching can have a huge multitude of causes and there is not one answer to every cause. I would start at the vets office and look for the easy things like fleas. But it could be allergies, infections, disease, mange, etc etc. it is a long list. The sooner you get to the vet the cheaper, quicker and easier your dog will be feeling better. I would strongly recommend you start at the vets. It’s much cheaper in the long run

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Samantha | 5 years ago
My 24 Pound Beagle, Shadow, Jumped On The Counter And Stole A Chocolate Cupcake Off Of It. …

My 24 pound beagle, Shadow, jumped on the counter and stole a chocolate cupcake off of it. The recipe called for half a cup of cocoa powder and it made around 16 cupcakes (she only stole one).

Is this toxic and should I go to the vet immediately or is it only a certain amount of chocolate that would affect her?

2 Responses

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  1. Laura

    Hi Samantha, in each case it’s whatever the dog will tolerate. I would certainly call your vet, but if you see no changes I wouldn’t worry overmuch. Monitor your dog. If she starts to vomit, shake, pee a LOT more, or have diarrhea? Take her in immediately, do not pass go.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.
    As the mom of a beagle who would be just as sneaky (but isn’t yet. Thank goodness) I can say this will probably only cause gi upset. That’s not enough chocolate to cause toxicity. As long as your pup is otherwise healthy. You should always talk to your vet and always if worried call the pet poison helpline. There are also choc tox formulas that help available online.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My Dog Ate 6 Brownies Left On The Kitchen Counter. She Is A Medium Sized…

My dog ate 6 brownies left on the kitchen counter. She is a medium sized Lab mix. Will she be okay after eating chocolate?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The safest thing to do is call one of the pet poison helplines. They can calculate the toxic dose based on a few questions they will ask you. Or you can call your vet for advice. There are a few “choc tox” calculators available online. But they are guesstimates at best. Better to go to the Er, call your vet or call the pet poison helpline immediately.

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
My 6 Yr Old Beagle Ate Chocolate A Day Ago, Which We Just Figured Out…

My 6 yr old beagle ate chocolate a day ago, which we just figured out, and starting having seizures and posturing. He is also very lethargic. Can I still give him activated charcoal to absorb whatever toxins are still in his system and how much? Any help is appreciated.

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  1. Jay Alex

    I’m not a vet, but once a dog has started having seizures, you should skip giving him activated charcoal and take him to the vet. If he ate it that long ago, he’s already absorbed most of the toxins. Activated charcoal is only effective before he’s absorbed toxins, not after. It may be a costly visit, but seizures are never a good sign.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Hi, I’m Staying At A Friends House And She Has A Bird. She Just Went…

Hi, I’m staying at a friends house and she has a bird. She just went to sleep and I was eating a chips ahoy chocolate chip cookie and I see her give the bird human food all the time so I have the bird about a third of the cookie. I’ve been reading a lot of articles some saying the a little amount of chocolate is fine and some saying any amount of chocolate can be extremely lethal. I was just wondering if the bird will be alright?

3 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    I would let your friend know…

  2. Yydhs Hehsh

    I just don’t want her to be mad at or hate me.

  3. Anonymous

    That’s…not the wisest course of action. What if her bird ends up sick? How will you handle it? Seriously, tell her.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
MY TWO DOG TYSON AND RASTA BOTH SMALL DOGS, RASTA A SMALLER DOG ATE A…

MY TWO DOG TYSON AND RASTA BOTH SMALL DOGS, rASTA A SMALLER DOG ATE A BUNCH OF CHOCOLATE TYSON IS ALMOST 5 AND RATSA IS I THINK 2 THEY ATE A LOT I MEAN A BUNCH AND IM POOR SO I CANNOT PAY TO GO TO A VET BUT PLEASE HELP ME IM SCARED AND IM CRYING RIGHT NOW I DONT WANT THEM TO DIE

1 Response

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  1. PK Dennis

    If it just happened within the last few mins, pour some hydrogen peroxide down their throats which will make them vomit up some of the chocolate.