Persistent Cough and Mitral valve

[ELubas]

My 18 mos old girl Nysa started coughing (honking actually) about a week ago. Went to the vet and they found nothing, lungs clear, heart sounds good, no temp, etc. She has not been kenneled and hangs with the same group of dogs. None of them are coughing, nor is my other boxer, so they do not think she could have kennel cough. My concern is she does have a very minor valve leak and I have read that coughing can be indicative of a problem. She coughs when she first gets up, when she is excited, etc. but other than that is eating, drinking, playing, and seems fine. Any thoughts? The vet said if it did not go away they could do an xray but if her lungs are clear not sure what they are looking for... Anyway, as usual , any advice/thoughts are appreciated

 

[EAO76]

I posted about the same exact thing several days ago but no one had any advice. Nano has been coughing for close to three weeks now. It’s usually in the mornings and when she gets excited. Every so often there is some mucus coming up when she coughs. I know it’s not Kennel Cough because I have a foster plus my two other dogs and none of them are coughing.

I took her to the vet and he said just to watch it for a while. He thought that it may just an irritation from all the smoke because of the recent fires here but now that the air is clear she is still coughing.

Nano has never been diagnosed with a heart condition but I am still concerned that this may have something to do with her heart.

It does seem to be improving though. She is only coughing occasionally now but I do sometimes hear her breathing a little funny (like she making a “puff” sound). I figured I’d wait a few more days and if its still happening I’ll take her back to the vet.

Please let me know if you learn anything more.

 

[Gruntsmom]

No advice, but lots of hopeful and positive thoughts going out for Nysa that her cough is nothing serious, and it goes away very soon.

 

[ELubas]

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It does seem to be improving though. She is only coughing occasionally now but I do sometimes hear her breathing a little funny (like she making a “puff” sound). I figured I’d wait a few more days and if its still happening I’ll take her back to the vet.

Please let me know if you learn anything more.

Hi there. Yes, Ny does that "puffing" too. I tend to be neurotic as I lost a girl to BCM but the symptoms of this cough mirror what I have read about mitral valve leak problems. I am waiting for a call from my vet but plan to do a chest and larynx x-ray and then if that is ok I will go back to the cardiac vet. I also have another boxer in the house and he is fine, as are all of Nysa's buddies so I do not believe it is any kind of kennel cough. I will keep you posted on what I find out. Paws crossed for both our babies. She is a notorious toy eater so I am hoping she just has managed to get something "stuck" that is irratating her

 

[dafzichu]

I just wanted to chime in and say that I also posted about this, ELubas, I think you actually replied. It sounds exactly like what you are both describing. I am planning on getting Mindy checked by the cadiologist when I get back home (Mindy and I are still helping take care of my grandmother). I certainly hope nothing is wrong with her heart, I couldn't bear to even think of lossing another baby the way I lost Snubby. I will be interested in anything you guys come up with and when I get her into the cadiologist, I will certainly post what I find out.

 

[EAO76]

Hi there. Yes, Ny does that "puffing" too. I tend to be neurotic as I lost a girl to BCM but the symptoms of this cough mirror what I have read about mitral valve leak problems. I am waiting for a call from my vet but plan to do a chest and larynx x-ray and then if that is ok I will go back to the cardiac vet. I also have another boxer in the house and he is fine, as are all of Nysa's buddies so I do not believe it is any kind of kennel cough. I will keep you posted on what I find out. Paws crossed for both our babies. She is a notorious toy eater so I am hoping she just has managed to get something "stuck" that is irratating her

Nano is a huge toy eater too…and sticks, grass, flowers, etc. To me it really sounds like something may be stuck in her throat. The vet listened to her heart & lungs for a long time and didn’t hear anything but I know there still could be a problem. Please let me know what your vet says.

Also if the cough persists what do you recommend we do next? I have never dealt with heart issues before. My vet said the next step would be to do an EKG or he can have an ultrasound tech (who he says is very good) come to the office. Or should I just skip it and go to a cardiologist?

 

[ELubas]

Nano is a huge toy eater too…and sticks, grass, flowers, etc. To me it really sounds like something may be stuck in her throat. The vet listened to her heart & lungs for a long time and didn’t hear anything but I know there still could be a problem. Please let me know what your vet says.

Also if the cough persists what do you recommend we do next? I have never dealt with heart issues before. My vet said the next step would be to do an EKG or he can have an ultrasound tech (who he says is very good) come to the office. Or should I just skip it and go to a cardiologist?

Well, here is my update. Spoke to my regular vet who I trust the most (she was off last weekend) and she is confident this is not her heart (she worked in an ultrasound clinic so she really knows her stuff) . She is putting her on doxycycline to address any secondary infection but wants to wait it out for a few more days. Ny is not coughing today, but was a lot yesterday. So we are going to wait three days and then decide if we need an x-ray. In your case, if the cough persists I would have him checked by a cardio vet simply because he is a boxer. Chances are he is just fine but I think all boxers should have a baseline EKG and ultrasound by a cardio vet to be safe. But I lost a girl to BCM so I am particularly paranoid. I have mine checked now to try to avoid any surprises and it eases my mind. Boxer wiggles to your pup and everyone STOP COUGHING