Help! Anyone ever had to treat breathing issues in a large dog. I feel terrible as he struggles to breathe. Thought about asking the vet about nebulizers for Dogs.

By ~harlena on Monday, March 9, 2009 - 11:33 pm:

I would DEFINITELY ask the vet. I know there are a number of people meds that dogs can use, AND albuterol does come in a syrup (what our nebulizer med is), so maybe it's a possibility for your doggie ..... also, maybe they could do a blood test to determine what he's having trouble with ... ? If so, maybe you could eliminate it from his diet, living area. That may help him to breathe easier.

By Northcountrymom on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 09:04 am:

Thanks for the suggestion. They did give him a bronchial dilator (like albuterol). It helps a little. He sleeps a lot now because just breathing is a lot of work. He's also on an antibiotic because he has some indicators of bronchitis. If he has allergies i'm not sure I could change his world enough to make a difference. We live in the mountains with an endless source of outdoor allergens. He's in and out so much that he tracks them in on his fur etc. Could change his food - always seems to take a long time to recover from food changes though.

Its funny, yesterday I was wondering how bad off he really was. The answer: I was eating and out of the corner of my eye I see him inching closer hoping for a food stealing opportunity. He's still with it!

Please keep making suggestion, maybe something will make adifference. We're even changing his collar.

By Scott on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 09:03 pm:

Consider changing his bedding. If it's wool or stuffed with down, that's a potential allergen.

..."also, maybe they could do a blood test to determine what he's having trouble with ... ?"

Regrettably, no such tests exist. There are skin allergy tests, food allergy tests and so on, but no means of measuring or typifying globulins in the blood to identify allergens. Allergy diagnosis is usually a process of inducing a reaction with a suspected allergen (thus making it a KNOWN allergen) or removing suspected allergens until the clinical presentation subsides.

The typical means of treatment are steroids, bronchodilators and antibiotics to treat identified infections. Antihistamines may be useful if it's a histamine reaction. There are nebulizers used in veterinary medicine, but they're usually in emergency clinics for critical patients. They're quite expensive, and most animals don't cope with them very well unless they're so winded that they don't care about anything.

Air quality management in the home may be something to consider. Temperature, humidity, particulate count (airborne dust), moulds et c.

A couple questions - is this a recent, acute clinical presentation, or has it been gradual or chronic? Has anything in the dogs environment changed? Anything - new laundry detergent, new carpeting, cologne or perfume, brand of cigarette smoked by occupants, anything at all?

By Northcountrymom on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 06:44 pm:

Thanks Scott for your questions. Unfortunately several things have changed. We moved about five months ago to temporary quarters. We are also living in a much windier place than before and I think a lot of allergens are carried to our front door. I used to have an Ionic Breeze (they die eventually). Probably would help to replace it. The medication is definitely helping. He is currently on everything you've mentioned.

Any additional suggestions are welcome.
Linda

By Northcountrymom on Monday, March 16, 2009 - 07:39 pm:

Drugs work. I thought our dog was not long for this world but he's getting better. Right now he's outside letting the world know this is his house, he's in charge and don't visit his field or yard without permission. He still has breathing episodes but they are fewer and less severe. He's been taking the bronchial dialator, a steriod and an antibiotic. He's also drinking vast amounts of liquid. We also got him a new collar which is very light. There's no promise of tomorrow but right now he's on the mend.

Scott, at your suggestion I also got him a non-allergic dry food. We'll see if that helps also.

Thanks for all suggestions - we can always use more.

Linda

By Northcountrymom on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 03:09 pm:

Well pray for our dog. He took a very bad turn overnight after having enjoyed being out in nice weather. Husband took him to the doggie emergency room. Hopefully he comes home. Husband very upset - almost couldn't get dressed for work. He loves our dog like another child.

By ~harlena on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 12:35 am:

update NorthCountry Mom ?

How is your doggie doing now ?

I had a dog who was allergic to many things, but it manifested itself through his skin, not his breathing. He lost his hair and went on itching rampages ..... vet thought rather than test him for everything under the sun, just start eliminating things from his diet. We had GREAT success with a duck and potato prescription diet. I don't remember the name, but it was very VERY expensive (and a 65lb dog eats quite a bit!) and was well worth the cost. He also had flea allergies, couldn't avoid those flea preventatives !
This was a number of years ago, I'm sure things have changed greatly, although I saw that duck and potato food in the vet's office a couple of weeks ago, so I know it's still out there and available.

Please let us know how things are going.
:}

By Northcountrymom on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 10:58 am:

OURS IS 110lbs. and no fat!!!! Its interesting someone else suggested we eliminate dog food with cereal and go to organ meats, increase ascorbate and mineral supplements. I am going to try some of these ideas. Never saw the duck and potatoe food for dogs. We did use similar formulas with a cat who was allergic to even her own dander but she was always like that - this has really developed in the past few months so it caught me by surprise.

Providing Economic stimulus for the veterinary world,
Linda