BACK WARDS COUGH?

by DESIREE
(LONG BEACH CA)

ROXY

SHES A VERY SMALL CHIHUAHUA, AT 11 WEEKS SHE IS A LITTLE OVER A POUND.

SOMETIMES SHE COUGHS BACKWARDS LIKE A CAT WITH A HAIRBALL IS THIS NORMAL?

SHE IS HYPOGLYCEMIC ALSO..THE DAY AFTER WE GOT HER SHE WAS LIFELESS.WHITE GUMS, COLD. I THOUGHT SHE WAS DYING.

THE INTERNET SAID GIVE HER HONEY OR KAYRO SYRUP. I GAVE HER HONEY AND SHE CAME BACK LIKE A MIRACLE:)
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WILL HAVE IT ALL HER LIFE? WE PUT KARO SYRUP IN HER WATER TO MAKE SURE IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN..

BUT MY QUESTION IS THE COUGHING..LIKE A CAT WITH A HAIRBALL?


Hi Desiree
She's adorable, that expression is irresistible!

There are a couple of things that could be causing these sort of coughing episodes. It could be due to an upper respiratory infection (kind of like a cold), but if this is the case you should also notice some other symptoms such as a sneezing, a runny nose, discharge from the eyes, lethargy etc.

Kennel Cough can occur in pups who haven't yet been fully vaccinated. It also should show symptoms such as described above.

There are also a couple of structural defects often seen in small and toy breeds. These are defects of the trachea or soft plate.

A honking sort of cough can be caused by a trachea that is soft or weak. This can be triggered or made worse by excitement, being overweight, or too much pressure on the neck (choke collar etc.). It can worsen with age, but doesn't always.

'Reverse sneezing' also afflicts small and tiny breed dogs and this is due to a soft palate (roof of the mouth) that is too long. It sounds like snorting/honking/coughing and again can be triggered by excitement, pulling on a leash and so on.

Your veterinarian should be able to diagnose the problem by making a full examination of your puppy. He'll then be able to advise you as how to avoid and treat these coughing episodes.

You are doing the right thing for the hypoglycemia, many puppies do grow out of this. However, continue to feed her two meals a day (with maybe a couple of dog biscuits before bedtime) even once she's an adult. Little dogs need frequent and regular meals to keep their blood sugars balanced.

Best of luck with Roxy!