One of my dogs, my 7 year old long haired dachsie girl, had a severe reaction to her vaccination about 2 years ago now. Her head swelled up very large very fast and it was only due to living close to vets and being observant we were able to save her.

However since then her breathing has been very laboured and noisey. She wheezes and snores a LOT. We have mentioned it to the vet who denies any relation to the reaction to the vac she had and dismiss it. Lately though she has been having wheezing fits to the point where I'm not sure she's going to stop, or make it alive.

My question to you all is this: if we took her to the vet regarding this, is there anything they can do for her, or give to us to help her if it happens again? I can't face their total denial of an issue and be charged money for this. If there isn't anything to help, then so be it, we'll manage as best we can. But if anyone knows of any treatment that could help her then we'll go for it without hesitation.

I love my animals dearly and money isn't an issue. I think a visit to the vet is in order regardless, but nevertheless would appreciate any advanced notice of treatments that may be suggested from you?

Lately though she has been having wheezing fits to the point where I'm not sure she's going to stop, or make it alive.

If it's as bad as that then, as you say, I'd take her to the vets for some real indepth testing to find out what's causing it.  It's no good treating the symptoms without finding the cause.

When you say wheezing - is it actually breathing problems eminating from the lungs or bronchial passages?

Debs

The best way I can describe is that it sounds as though her throat is closing up and the air is struggling past. As if there is on object blocking it (although there isn't) So to answer your question it mostly sounds like it comes from her throat, if that makes sense.

I wonder if the reaction she had closed her airways or damaged them in some way, and they've never recovered. But I'm not an expert of course.

Are you sure it's not reverse sneezing?

Sorry for all the questions but it's hard to get a picture of what's happening without being there :d

Debs

Wow. That is exactly what it looks/sounds like!

I had never heard of that before, many thanks. I've had dachsies all my life and at one time or another they've all done that (Lydia is the champion at it though!)

I can't thank you enough, you've put my mind at rest.

Glad it's nothing life threatening :d

I have a bitch who does this (only as she's got older) and it really does make an awful noise so I can understand your panic :)  When she does it, just try holding the nostrils shut so she has to breathe through her mouth and, if it is reverse sneezing, it'll stop immediately.

Debs

This can be caused by an elongated soft palate or excitemetn at a smell often when there is a lot of pollen about.

The easiest way to stop a bout is to put yoru hand aroudnthe nose and mouth and stop the breathign altogether for a few seconds.  It is a type of hyperventilating.

has this only been since the vac, and is it happening often? 2 years is a long time. and I would say, for now, put the reaction to the vac behind you, and take her to see maybe a different vet in the practice,(new eyes and all that) and try to find a cause of the problems. It could be all manner of things, from simple to serious and really the vet is the best to try to find the cause. I had an old boy who did this, and it was related to his heart, but it was a sudden onset thing, not something he had for a long time. Don't be fobbed off with anything other than a cause, this is happening for some reason, and really needs investigating. vets fees are expensive, and no one likes to feel they are wasting money, so be insistant when you are there. there is obviously a problem, and they need to start investigating it now, not after a few (expensive)visits. What did the vet say  the last time you went, apart from it not being related to the vac? sadly, some vets don't like to admit vacs can cause long term probs, so don't labour this, try to be more on the side of well, it didnt happen before the vac, but now it is and I would like to know what is causing it, as 2 years is a long time. Good Luck :)

Whatever you feel was the onset you need to see a vet with this.  My dog coughs and wheezes but hers is due to an enlarged heart that has completed altered the lie of her trachea.  We know this because of her investigations including an xray that demonstrates this alarming feature in clear detail   Thanks to the investigation though she has been stabilized on appropriate medication and, who knows, could cough and wheeze on for long enough, she is totally untroubled by it :).  Not saying yours will be the same but the point is without investigation my dog would certainly be no longer with us.  Always see a vet with serious symptoms like these.

OK, thanks all. I think I will take her. I had thought with knowing about reverse sneezing now there was no need but don't want to risk learning too late she has something else wrong.

There is every chance it will be of no consequence :) but as you say we should never risk just assuming it.  Is she nice and lean?

I would certainly take her. I'm suprised it was not fully investigated when you took her before, has it really been happening for two years? Just make sure you get a sensible answer and a diagnosis, which may take a couple of visits depending on what they look for. It could well be something simple, as I said, but you never know and its best to be sure. Fingers crossed :)

When a dog has an adverse reaction to a vaccine it will take a while before the vet will admit it if at all.  I know this from experience.

From what you say your dog had a severe reaction and apart from the coughing/wheezing you don't say whether or not she has any other symptoms.

My advice would be to get a second opinion on the symptoms you have described and be very wary of having another vaccine as dogs which have already reacted are more likely to have an adverse reaction again!

You might consider having a titre test to establish whether a booster is necessary in the future - these are available on request from your vet.

If you need more info you can pm me :)
Maria