I have a 5 month old Biewer Terrier who has done nothing but sleep for the past week.  This is not her normal behaviour.  She is usually full of beans and very mischievous.  She is eating and drinking normally and weeing and pooing as usual.  Took her to the vets on Saturday and he couldn't find anything wrong.  She has a bit of a cough, a sort of quiet honking sound.  This cough doesn't happen all that often, in fact now I think of it it hasn't happened today.  She doesn't want to go for a walk and has no interest in anything.  I am extremely worried as this can not be normal behaviour for a 5 month old puppy.  Any advice would be most appreciated.

Back to the vets.
Were you happy with the vet you saw ? Did they seem thorough ? If not, ask for a different vet.
Did they suggest any bloods or X-ray ? Could it be lung worm ? Have you wormed her or given her any medications recently ? Could she have swallowed something she shouldn't ?

The vet checked her tummy, her chest and her temperature.  Didn't suggest bloods or X-rays.  She had her last flea and worm treatment about a month ago at the vets ( advocate).  She is due her next this Thursday.  I don't think she has swallowed anything.  I'm going to ring the vets now.

I've got an appointment with a different vet at the practice for 3.30pm.

Sorry, only just seen this post. I was just going to say be firm and explain how different she is from normal.
Let us know how she is.

It will be interesting to hear back what has been found.   Years ago now I had a hound who had inflamed tonsils (yes).   This presented similar to KC but on further investigation, these tonsils were seen to be 'wrong' and they were removed.   That was a first, but that was that hound's life.   From very early days (shortly after the 10 weeks he was when he first came to us as our second hound), when he went down with an nasty enteritis bug (where from I never discovered and can only wonder whether it was from bird droppings as he'd never been off our property).   Had it been around at the time, I'd have thought it was Parvo.   And it was touch and go with him to the point that afterwards he seemed to go down with anything going.   Including the tonsils, and two bouts of bladder stones and finally GDV (Bloat) at just over 11 years.   With loads of other things inbetween.

Well the vet agreed with me that she wasn't right.  Temperature and chest normal, but she said her tummy wasn't right, gassy was the word she used.  She gave me Pro - Kolin for that.  She took a blood sample, results of which will be back tomorrow.  I have to take in a sample of her poo tomorrow and if she is no better leave her at the surgery so she can be observed.   She has gained a bit of weight, on Saturday she was 2.6kg and today she's 2.7kg.   I asked if it could be lung worm but she said no as she is up to date with her treatment for that.

It's obviously good that they are testing and I hope you get a result.   Not knowing is hard - I've had 'inconclusive' come back from tests and there's nothing worse really.    I'm assuming they are okay with her heart because a heart problem can present with 'coughing'?

Good luck today, hope you get to the bottom of it. Do let us know what they find.
As MamaBas said, ask about her heart.
Have you thought to contact the breeder and see what they say ? It could be something they have seen before in the breed.

Vet did check her heart but made no comment so I assume all is well.  She is now with the vet for the day.  More tests are going to be done.  I pick her up at 5pm.  Thanks for all your responses and I will let you know the outcome.

Well it's not good news I'm afraid.  Her blood test show she is slightly anemic.  Her urine has a lot of sediment in it and the vet has been able to see how lethargic she is.  More tests are needed but the vet suspects liver shunt.  I'm devastated.  She's back at the vets for the day tomorrow.

So sorry to hear not good news. Sending positive vibes and tlc hugs x hope tomorrow at vets goes well

Thank you Saxonjus.  I'm so upset.  Gone from being so happy when we brought her home in August to feeling helpless and so so worried.

Fingers crossed that something can be done . Hugs xx

Thank you.  The vet just rang for permission to do an ultrasound scan.  Hopefully things will be clearer when I pick her up at 6pm today.

Good luck to you and your pup x

Thank you.

So sorry to hear your news, everything crossed for your baby x

So sorry to hear your news, it must be so devastating. xxx

The tests indicate that she does have a liver shunt.  I have been referred to Wearside referrals and should get an appointment today.  The vets had her on fluids yesterday and when I picked her up she was more like her normal self.  I just hope it's not a complicated case and that an operation can repair the shunt so that she can live a normal life.  I've only had her 3 months but already she is a big part of the family and I love her so much.  I lost my beloved 14 year old Yorkie earlier in the year and can't bare the thought of going through that again.

I've no experience of this so can't offer any advice, but best of luck to your pup.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2103&aid=3605

Some of this may help you to at least understand more about this condition.   I've thankfully never experienced this with any of our hounds but the breeder of my current Basset had to take a puppy she'd bred (not from the same litter as mine) back after he was diagnosed with this.   She, and her vet didn't feel that surgery was an option, but he was put on an appropriate diet which worked for a while but he gradually deteriorated and she had to let him go.   It was very sad and of course, she had to help the original owners through this.   I don't think there is anything hereditary about this - it's just a birth defect which nobody can expect.    I so hope your puppy can be helped because having to deal with this in a new puppy, after losing the previous dog, is more than sad.   My sympathies and all good wishes for a good outcome.

Really sorry to hear this. It's somewhat common in Irish Wolfhounds and they are tested I believe around 6 weeks of age

Fingers & paws crossed for you both.

It was confirmed yesterday that she does have a shunt.  They had to anesthetize her to do I CT scan and she did take quite a while to come round which is caused by the condition.  She is to stay in the hospital until Monday while they get her medication and diet sorted out and an operation will be scheduled for a few weeks time.  I am hoping for a good outcome and feeling a bit more positive knowing that she is in such good hands.  I have researched the hospital she is in and found out it is one of the best so at least I know she is being given every chance to lead a normal life.  Missing her so much though, it was awful having to leave her there yesterday.  I will keep you all posted.

She is in the right place and everthing crossed for a positive outcome. X

Her operation have been scheduled for 5th December.  It is major surgery with many weeks recovery time.  I'm absolutely dreading it.  On a positive note she is doing well on her medication and the operation does have a high success rate.  Thanks for all your kind words.

You'd better get everything done early for Christmas then !!!
Best of luck to you both x

Sending positve vibes.

The surgery went well and Millie is doing fine.  Thank you all for your positive vibe.

Great news.  I wish you both the best

Wonderful news, I bet the time just dragged for you.  I hope that Millie goes from strength to strength.