My Blog Entry
Kinda worried about Olie
Hi pals! I'm kinda worried about Olie... hoping you might be able to lend some insight... do I need to get him to the vet??
I noticed for the first time Wednesday afternoon- he started doing this weird sort of cough... like he was trying to hack something up, but it was consistent, as if he was having a hard time breathing- almost gagging. I almost thought he was choking, and it occassionally seemed like an effort to vomit, but mostly it was hacking. His Daddy was there at the time, and he said that was the second time it happened- it also had apparently happened Wednesday morning. In between coughing, he makes noises, like if you put your tongue flat against the top of your mouth then pull it away- the kind of sounds you often hear from a sleeping person.
It got worse last night (thursday night). We laid down around 9:00 and by 9:30 he was hacking, and seemingly panicked. He was trying really hard to get me up, panting, putting his head on the side of the bed trying to get my attention, running to other side of the bed looking for Daddy, who wasn't home. So I got up and he went straight to the door, desperate to get outside. So I took him out, and all he did was frantically eat grass. He did eventually pee, but his hind end was apparently not an issue. So I let him eat some grass, then we went back in and he had a drink of water and I gave him a piece of bread, just to make sure he could swallow- I continued to be concerned that he may have something stuck in his throat or something like that. The rest of the night, he coughed a little bit off and on, but didn't have any more of these scary episodes. I did continually hear a lot of the noises I tried to describe- the tongue on the top of your mouth thing. At 3 AM, I got up for my own reasons, and he seemed glad I was up so he took advantage and went for the door again, so I took him out, and he just ate some more grass. And Ember peed on the floor.
During the 9 PM panic attack I considered getting him to an emergency vet, but after eating some grass and having a drink, he seemed to settle down and I wasn't as worried. This morning he seemed sad, but that could very well have been because he knew I was leaving for work and he'd be home alone, plus Ember was driving me nuts and I was cranky... so his sadness may have been justified, or he could have been feeling bad. I don't know. He wouldn't drink any water this morning, but he did eat some grass.
Can I continue to monitor this, or are these familiar symptoms to anyone, that might warrant an immediate vet visit? His Daddy said he has heard him cough like that just once before, it was before I met them, they were at a friends house and he apparently drank some sort of acid- later started coughing like that and he couldn't figure out what was wrong so took him to the vet where some discoloration was found in his mouth and they figured out what happened. He was fine, that was over 2 years ago. I can't think of a single thing he may have been exposed to that could cause a similar problem, so I don't think it's the same type of thing... but could he have something stuck in his throat maybe? I constantly worry about bloat... how do these symptoms compare to that? Seems like that happens fast (but I don't know), this has gone on for a couple days. Any ideas???
Blog Barks
Hey Oles,
Tell mama to take you to the vet I have had times when I questioned going to the vet with past dogs and regretted not going. so don't make the same mistake she did.
Hope you feel better,
Nadia, Banjo-bee and Sophie-Lu
79 days ago by NadiaWebber
Hey Dogbert, just checking up on ya....hope you are fine enough for us to go cruising again! Hugzzz, Monty
80 days ago by Monty
Hi,
I just now saw the entry on Olie not feeling well. After reading all the barks, yes, please take him to the Vet. Also, acid reflux can cause dogs (and humans, too) to cough. The tongue smacking is another indication of possible stomach acid. Also, grass, in the mind of a dog, is a natural fix for digestive issues. I have a friend, whose dog has this problem. She feeds her an acid reducer in the evening, and also feeds her later in the night which seems to help. But, only a vet will know for sure. I'm just offering some possibilities. Good luck at the vet's.
80 days ago by Lnkaye
Julie, I just saw this now. I hope Olie is ok. There isn't much here I can add except to agree with everyone that said take him to the vet. It could be so many things, most of which are nothing and treatable, but I agree, better safe than sorrry. We of course will be keeping him in out thoughts and waiting to hear how he is doing. As for not barking, we have all been there and understand. Besides, I'm sure you are worried enough about Olie. Please keep us updated. Sami & Mommy Diane
80 days ago by SamiLou
Oh poor Olie! Chance's dad just told me a couple of days ago that panting is also a sign of pain. Fran is right in her entire blog, I would listen to her. Is it possible that he could have chewed on a stick and swallowed some of it. Not drinking water is not a good sign. Seems like a trip to the vet is warranted. Please keep us up to date on what is happening. It won't do for our friend Olie to be sick. Hugzzz Sandi
82 days ago by Monty
I am sorry I didn't see this before but I haven't been on much. I hope Olie is feeling better, but if not I agree that a trip to the vet is warranted. As Tina said, eating grass is a disgestive issue and is designed to help the dog throw up whatever is upsetting his stomach.
Please let us know how he is and what the vet said, if you go to the vet.
Have you checked his rubber chickens to see if there are any large missing parts?
82 days ago by CarlaGenender
OH goodness we just read this now..since the site slowness, mom hasnt been on much. Oh I sure hope Olie is feeling better. Nope it's not bloat..they eat grasss when their tummy's are bothering them, and then upchuck it. Olie hasn't been chewing sticks? Truthfully the best thing to do is to bring him in to the vet and get it checked out. It's great that there are so many of us that might think its this or that, we all care a great deal about the pups on here. But bottom line is only the Vet would give you the best advise. My husbands best friend has a yellow lab, and she was sick for a long time..they thought she caught something from the lakes she swims in, and then one vet found a small stick..logged down her throat..and that was causing the temps and the coughing and problems. It was such a small sliver too. I'm not saying it's that, but there are so many different things that can cause a cough. Please let us know how he is doing.
Hugs Fran
82 days ago by TuckersMom
Hi Olie's mom,
I would take him to the vet, too, especially if he still seems distressed. I will say, though, that Cinnamon gets a gaggy cough sometimes. Same thing, like she's going to vomit or cough up a hairball (like I imagine how a cat does it), but she never vomits. It's once and awhile, though. Not constant. I read that heart murmurs can cause that and she does have a mild one. She's also a grass eater. But like I said, if he seems particulary still in distress, I would take him in. Better safe than sorry!
Kelly & Cinnamon - the gagging, coughing grass eater
83 days ago by love_beagles
Dear the owner of Ollie, I will seriously advise that you take Ollie to the veterinarian immediately. Since it seems that Ollie has been having panic attacks, this could not very well be normal. Also, Ollie seems much like my dog, Sammy. Sammy suffers from seizures, and was in pretty bad shape. She woke in the middle of the night, howling, and when I went to her, she coughed and coughed, in desperate attempt to vomit. When I let outside, she struggled to get to the backyard. She fell upside down, on her back, into the steps. She coughed and peed and coughed some more. When I tried to pet her, she growled and tried to bite. Although these symptoms are not all of Ollie's, it seems possible he had a minor seizure. If this is the case, then I would advise you to contact a vet immediately. The vet could give Ollie siezure medicine, which has greatly helped Sammy and she hasn't had a siezure in a very long time. I hope Ollie gets better with the help of a vet. And don't be discouraged, Sammy's chances seemed pretty grim, but look at her now! What a dog! Thanks for your time,
Owner of Sammy
83 days ago by sammyluvsgre...
Nope, does not sound like bloat, to me either.....it sounds like a seasonal allergy (Chloe gets a cough when the Everglades are on fire ~ it sounds like she's been smoking for 20 years). It comes and goes, quickly.
Eating grass would signal tummy/intestinal problems. Dogs eat grass to "toss their cookies" or settle their stomach. I would not give him bread (wheat). Better to have given a tiny bit of peanut butter or cheese. That he is eating, is a good sign. Pick up (better ~ always have on hand) canned pumpkin (NOT pp filling). Great for settling the stomach and/or stopping "the runs". tina
83 days ago by TinaValant
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