dry hacking cough & labored breathing

[Saybrook]

My 13 year old dog has had a dry cough and labored breathing at times. He hasn't been boarded in years and doesn't play much with other dogs. What could this be? Is he lacking a vitamin? Thanks for your help.

[Labman]

I would see the vet for the cough. Is your dog a larger breed that is old at 13? If her activity level is down, you might consider a senior formula. They are formulated to assure the dog gets vitamins and other components of a balanced diet without having to consume enough calories to shorten its life and speed aging due to excess weight. As dogs' activity level declines, they can
become over weight on the same old diet. Check her body condition using the method in this link, http://www.puppychow.com/products/popup_body_condition.aspx Adjust her diet is needed to reach the ideal body condition.

I still have my 13 year old Lab on Pro Plan adult. She has had several bouts of pneumonia this year, and her activity level is down. Perhaps it is time to switch her to a senior formula. The school my 3 month old Holly belongs to wants her on Iams. It will be a year and a half before I have another puppy in the house eating Pro Plan adult.

[Saybrook]

I have him on Wysong senior twice a day. He's a lab/retreiver mix and weighs about 58-60 pounds. He does have a few fatty tumors that I was told come with age. I did call the vet and have an appointment for friday, 11/24. I hope it's something that will pass. I did order over the weekend some vitamins for joint care. But I've had no luck finding any for heart and lungs in aging dogs. Thanks for the input.

[Shadow]

My 14 year old lab mix has the similar problem. I have brought him to the vet over and over, but they can't seem to figure out what exactly it is. Maybe it is just a older lab thing. Our vet was a little concerned about cancer in the lung, but if that is waht is going on, I'm not sure I'd want to know as there may not be much that can be done with older dogs for that.

[Labman]

You shouldn't need any supplements if most of a dog's calories are coming from a quality chow appropiate for its age.

[Saybrook]

I brought Tigger to the vet on Friday morning as planned. They put him on Clavamox and Trimeprazine for his breathing & coughing. What I didn't do was mention to the vet that his mini seizures that last about 3 seconds have been happening more often. That same day, in the afternoon, he was having them every hour, then he fell twice after them. I freaked out. I called the vet again and we brought him back at 6 pm. They now have him on phenobarbital. So, it's been a rough weekend. The meds are making him lathargic & urinate (ALOT). Anyone out there that can give me some advice?

[JaimeC]

I brought Tigger to the vet on Friday morning as planned. They put him on Clavamox and Trimeprazine for his breathing & coughing. What I didn't do was mention to the vet that his mini seizures that last about 3 seconds have been happening more often. That same day, in the afternoon, he was having them every hour, then he fell twice after them. I freaked out. I called the vet again and we brought him back at 6 pm. They now have him on phenobarbital. So, it's been a rough weekend. The meds are making him lathargic & urinate (ALOT). Anyone out there that can give me some advice?

We had our Boom on the Phenobarb for about 4 months. We experienced some side effects with it. Lots of pacing and being ancy, frequent urniation...he never seemed to sleep. So the lethargy is a new one for me. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. I dont remember all of what I had learned last year with the epilepsy, but have some posts here that might be of help. I will look them up.

This is the thread that I was thinking about. A woman was here for a bit with a cat that was epileptic. Whether your dog has epilepsy or not...we discussed a lot of the side effects and triggers. Worth a read anyhoo. Good luck with your girl!
http://www.talkpets.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11641&highlight=seizures