shitzu respiratory problem?

[lucymartini]

my 3 yr. shitzu has had episodes where she wakes me during the night and is wretching,coughing,choking,gagging. this goes on for several minutes and has me quite concerned. it has also happened during the day. should i be concernedand what can i do?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Occasionally the kennel cough vaccine can cause a transient minor kennel cough in the recipient, Just as the flu vaccine can cause flu like symptoms in humans after vaccination.  Or she could have additional problems as I mentioned previously.

No vaccine is 100% effective, and if the coughing is that severe she should be on medicine to surpress her cough, because the cough itself can cause irritation, and pain.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

You did not mention how long this has been going on.  If it has just occurred recently it may be a kennel cough infection (tracheobronchitis),  If it has been going on since birth it could be tracheal collapse.  If it has been occurring since birth but has gotten worse recently,  it could be tracheal collapse with a secondary bronchitis or pneumonia.

You really must take her to the vet.  Kennel cough is easily treated with antibiotics and cough medicine.  To make a proper diagnosis your vet will probably have to perform X-Rays and bloodwork and possibly other diagnostics.

Other possibilities include: bronchitis, aspirate pneumonia, bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal pneumonia, heart disease, heart worm disease, asthma,  and others.

[lucymartini]

thank you so very much, i will be vigilant and really notice any spells from now on. if they dont subside i will definetely take her to the vet. thanks again. what a wonderful site, first time i noticed it.

[lucymartini]

thank you for your answer.  i have only had this little dog 4 months. she can to me via my daughters girlfriend who from various paperwork kept things up to date and didnt mention any problems. she had regularDA2P&PV.  she had not had a kennel cough vaccine so i had that done last week when we saw the vet. he examined her and listened to her heart and chest. all seemed well.  the  wretching, coughing, choking,episode has happened twice during the night within 9 days and once during the day for a shorter period. do you think i should take her back to him or wait and see a little longer?