Dog Community

Cujo is swallowing frequently

Posted : 3/4/2007 11:47:22 AM

Since the first of the year I have taken Cujo back and forth to the vet several times. He has been swallowing frequently and just not acting like himself. Very low energy. The vet says his upper resp. tract is very moist sounding. He has recieved antibodics twice each time for a week. With some increase in his energy level but not much in his swallowingif any. Tomorrow he is going to have x-rays done as the vet now suspects an occulsion in his throat. I am wondering a few things now. If it is an occulsion what are the possible causes of it? Could it just be something he attemted to swallow? he does grab nuts that my birds throw out of their cage.Those nut shell fragments can be pretty sharp.I'm hoping it is something like that as that should be easily treated. My imagination is coming up with many worse things
If it is an occulsion why would the antibotics have increased his energy? His blood tests have come back normal.

rwbeagles

Posted : 3/4/2007 11:50:48 AM

My dogs tend to swallow a lot when they are nauseous....lethargic also...but for this long? I doubt that's it...hmm
Has the vet taken x rays at all....if so what did they show?

juliekay

Posted : 3/4/2007 12:01:47 PM

No x-rays yet. He has been treated with the antibotics, and also antihistamines.He was also itching a lot so she thought it could have been an allegic reaction. The itching stopped

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/4/2007 12:08:07 PM

It sounds like your vet may be describing collapsing trachea. Many dogs are treated successfully with medication or surgery for this disorder. Dogs with this problem have more infections, and the antibiotics your vet gave him might be helping to clear that, just not effective against the underlying problem.
veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1527&S=1&SourceID=42

juliekay

Posted : 3/4/2007 12:30:17 PM

That article makes a lot of sense. I have yet another reason to stop smoking. Cujo has not been coughing at all but I have noticed he almost seems to be himself in early mornings before DH and I have smoked up the house. That would be the only risk factor he has as he has never wore a collar, is not overweight and is only 2 years old.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 3/4/2007 6:27:43 PM

Believe or not, I stopped smoking FOR MY DOGS. We were painting, i was cleaning glass on all my pictures on the walls, etc, and we noticed the walls were yellow, the paper i wiped the glass with after using cleaner was yellow. I thought "this can not be good for the dogs, nor the grandbaby that is due in 6 weeks." I had smoked for 28 years, was doing 2 packes of day of 120 menthols, and I had my last cigarette on June 30, 1999. My son & DIL both smoke, so so much for not smoking because of the grandson. But I do think my golden retrievers are much better off without breathing that smoke..and so am I. No smoking allowed in house---hubby totally agreed to this and goes outside to smoke. Smoke could be part of the problem and i would try to keep Cujo away from smoke.

juliekay

Posted : 3/5/2007 11:23:50 AM

Just got back from the vets. X-rays appear normal. Going to try Baytril 22.5 mg for a week. If he isn't better in 2-3 days he is going to have to have an endoscopy done. He has lost 2 pounds in a week in a half.