Pug coughing/gagging - can anyone help?

[PrinnyPug]

I have a 6year old female pug, for the last 6 days she has been coughing/gagging but not all the time - it seems to come on randomly throughout the day and night. The coughs/gags have been dry except for one which caused her to be sick. She has always gagged but its not been so bad as this.
I am reluctant to take her to the vets - as we seem to always be there!! And I have read a lot of people say on the internet that after taking their pug to the vet with similar symptoms that the vet was unable to find the problem.

Can anyone help? Is it something that will go on its own?

[marleyclick]

thank you so much !  I can certainly try your suggestions and will get back to you ..... fyi ... for flea control I had all dogs ( I have three ) on comfortis which is in pill form since I didn't like the other topical oils for flea control and gosh .. i know Marley had a problem with one of the oils ....when we first got him as a rescue and skin was scabby ears were hard and just about back on the inside ( can you imagine - per vet was food allergy related )  ... I have taken a break from flea control for 2mos now... i know flea is year round.... what do you think .. even in the cold here  sf bay area ?  .. ummm i guess i need to get some sort of flea control ?  

[tonyb286]

Hi again. It will be easier to eliminate the 'mites' question first. Have you noticed him scratching persistently? If yes, this will give you a suggestion about where the mites might be. There are typically ear mites and general skin mites. These are treated separately, but if there is a degree of uncertainty, it is best to treat for both so all options are covered. Ear mites can be treated with 3 or 4 drops of mineral oil in each ear, then massage the ears until the drops have been worked into the ear canal. The ears are very delicate, so massage gently. After a couple of hours, wipe any excess oil out of the ears using a soft cotton swab. Repeat this process twice a week for at least 3 weeks.

Skin mites elsewhere on the body are best dealt with using a propriety application such as Frontline (you can buy this online a lot cheaper than at your vets).

The Virbac Etiderm shouldn't be causing a problem, as it is hypoallergenic. But maybe it's drying his skin too much, so try rubbing some aloe vera gel into the skin (all over) after shampooing.

These two treatments combined should manage mites, if they are the problem. The best thing to do is try the above, then if things don't improve, come back and report it and/or consult your vet. One important thing ... if it is mites, it is important to replace all dog bedding (as mite eggs will be in the soft fabrics and they will just cause a re-infestation once they hatch). Also, scrub all areas with a pet safe disinfectant to reduce the chance of further problems.

If it turns out not to be mites - and I know you don't want to go back to see your vet, but only he can really diagnose this condition by taking skin scrapings and looking under a microscope) - then it may be an allergy. I have written a piece about food allergies you might wish to read at http://www.infobarrel.com/Is_Your_Dog_Allergic_To_Its_Food

Good luck and do come back and let me know how things are progressing.

Tony

[marleyclick]

hi tonyb286 and forum ... I thought I had posted this info but now it doesn't appear so !  I had him on honest kitchen's zeal .... the fish formula ... and thought perhaps there was something like banana or other ingredient that did not agree with him .... now he is eating Canine Caviar wild ocean.  He likes the kibble .. I also give him their buffalo stick to chew on .. he loves greenies . BUT the first ingredient in the greenies is  wheat  or something ,,so stopped those .. I am thinking he has a habit of just being  groomer !  I wash him with Virbac Etiderm shampoo once a month .... perhaps it's mites .. how does one eliminate mites ? nose gets more stuffed at night when heater is one ... ummmmmm

[tonyb286]

Hi. Allergies are hard to work out and it can take extensive trial and error to identify the cause, but most obvious things include mites (even if ears look clean) and/or food. Does he scratch anywhere on his head or body that might indicate dry skin/mites? Also, what are you feeding him - and please include everything you feed him, including treats. Cheers, Tony

[marleyclick]

hi there .. I have a male black rescued pug !  He may be 9 or 10 yo has poor immune system many allergies !  last yr he had pneumonia .... also had elongated palate shortened which we THINK has made him cough and gag more ... was told by vet not the cause .. but we still think yes.  anyhow ... he always since last year ... lot's of phelm .. runny nose .... each side ... gets very stuffed up .... dust mites may be the cause OR outdoor mold on tree leaves .. I don't know !!!! we have tried chlortrimatin and benedryl ... but I think he needs more of decongestant ... to help with the stuffed up nose !
i read your response.. curious as to what the inhaled steroid is ?   Marley also has shakes his head ... ears are clean .. ( when we got him 6years ago he was so scabby and ears were crusted black ) poor guy we figured out his food allergy ..beef, grains, corn ...etc ... but this head congestion is too much and when he sneezes .. lots snot comes out .. it is not green.so that's good . but nose MAY run and run throughout the day. and yes on walks !

[Saramat]

Please see my posting from Feb. 23, 2013 "Pug with bilateral nasal discharge, gag, retch and cough." My pug has had an issue since being boarded for the first time in early Sept. 2012. She has had two endoscopies and there was a big change in the two months between them.
She had been on antibiotics, steroids, allergy meds, coughing meds, and more. Kennel cough was ruled out and at first the vet thought allergies. Because of the changes in anatomy between the first and second endoscopy, the vet felt it was chronic bronchitis.  She is now on an oral bronchodialtor (to expand airway passages) and inhaled steroid (to reduce the inflammed tissue).  She is 13, has always been active without a problem. She is still active with the above symptoms which makes it a mystery. She is regurgitating more often. The other night the vet called with an "ahah" thought - it may be acid reflux so we have also started Prilosec.  It will take a few weeks to see any changes if this is it, but I will post if she gets better. I am curious what the powder is that you are giving yours for the mucous build up.