Not only does he have Harvest Mites he also has a pesistant cough! He had kennel cough in January. He has since developed pneumonia and chronic bronchitis and has been on various tablets since April. He is fine when running but tends to cough (but not a kennel cough sound) after he has been asleep. He was almost given the all clear two weeks ago but contracted the Harvest Mites which has started his chest off again.... Has anyone else suffered like this. I feel so helpless for him. He gets quite depressed when he is on all his tablets. Any advice would be appreciated

Julie

Have you had his heart checked out?

Well the vet hs listened to his heart but thats all, do you think i should?

Ju

No advice, just sending best wishes to you and Charlie. Does he have a special food treat he can have with his tablets or can he get special priviliges when hes ill - sorry if this is stating the obvious but its what I do when people I love are ill and I cant do anything else.
XX

Thanks.... He is quite good really I just say "sweeties" and he comes and takes them! He has picked up a bit , I just give him extra loves and cuddles and let him on the sofa!

Ju

Hi

you have said what breed you have, I have recently lost a Staffy due to lung disease (don't want to alarm you) but he had a cough when it was hot or excited got worse we found out that it was Fibrosis which is untreatable if not diagnosed earlier enough, it was to late for my dog but just ask for an endoscopy if this does not get better we have various pills, antibiotics, steriods you name it we tried it, in the end we sent hime to a vet who dealt with chest problems who confirmed our worst, by this time it was to late, we messed around for 3 months trying everything to see if it would clear it up. My dog was only 2years and 11months when we had no choice but to do kindest thing.

Please ask your vet to investigate further hopefully it may be nothing and I hope that it is.

NikiH

Hi

Charlie is an Irish Red Setter, il check with the vet what he gave him, but he has had quite a lot of tests and x-rays, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchitis. Sorry to hear about your dog. Thanks for your advice.

Ju

Have you had your dog x rayed and an alveolar lavage? Your dog could have lungworm and a lavage should pick this up and if it doesn't you might ask to be put on panacur for 7 days; lungworm is prevalent in the South West. Also an x ray will show if the lungs have been damaged. My dog has a pattern on his chest consistent with asthmatic damage he has been given homoeopathic treatment which has greatly alleviated his distressing symptoms.

HTH

He has had a few x-rays...pnuemonia and bronchitis was the verdict. what is the homeopathic treatment you are on? I have never heard of lungworm, ill go and search the net now. Thanks

Can human colds/flu/cough be passed on to dogs? Just that I've been sick and I hope I'm not going to make the dogs sick by having them close by.

No, don't worry, they're not bugs that species-jump.
:)

My lad is on tuberculinium but this was prescribed and tailor made for him; your dog may need something different. Lungworm is more prevalent in the South West. I thought lungworm only affected donkeys and horses but apparently not! One of the reasons you should prevent your dogs eating snails and slugs!

Fred the dog I recently lost had one lung infection after another, they would clear up for a short while and then another would start up. It seemed that whatever the bug, it caused a problem with fluid in his lungs. In the end it was put down to his poor immune system that was the indirect effect of my castrating him. Is your dog on any other long term medication, proscribed or otherwise, if so what and what for.