About Nicole Damphouse Expertise I am not a veterinarian but I know a lot about dogs.For dogs I know about feeding charts,sicknesses and illnesses,exercise,seizures and general dog care.
Experience My parents who know a lot about animals!
Question Hi, I just bought a little baby beagle,his name is Shilo, he is 2 1/2 months old. The first day, he was playing, just like a normal puppy, then, he started coughing and spitting a foamy white saliva. Now, he doesn't want to eat alot, and he just wants lo be laying down, we took him to the vet, the vet gave him medicine, but nothing seems to be getting better, it actually seems to be getting worse.
Answer Hi Alex!
About the coughing-
Like people,pets will occasionally cough in response to pollen,dust or even fumes from household cleaners.Try keeping your pets in another room when you're vaccuming r dusting.Open windows if you're using heavy-duty cleaners.And in the warm months,keeping him indoors in the early morning and late afternoon with help reduce his exposure to pollen.
You already know that that smoking isn't good for you.It can be even worse for your pets,since the heavier elements in smoke drift down to their level.One dog that I saw developed very servere emphysema from its owners' smoking.
When air is dry,mucus in the throat and airways gets thick and sticky,signaling the body to ocugh.It does help to humidify the air.Take the dogs in the bathroom when you shower and let him breathe the moist air.Using a humidifier or vaporizer can also help reduce the dryness of the air.
While pets that are leash-trained can manage a traditional choke collarmore eager pets will often lunge against the lead,putting irritating pressure on the larynx (voivebox) or windpipe.Vets usually recommend walking them in a harness instead of a collar.
If your pet is coughing more than one an hour, he can probably benefit from a cough suppresant.Vets recommend using a product containing the active ingredient dextromthorphan,such as Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Syrup.Ask your vet which dose is right for your pet.Be sure,however, to pick a product that ONLY contains the active ingredient you want.Some cough medications also contain drugs like aspirin or acetaminophen,which can be dangerous for pets.
If the cough suppressant comes in liquid form,tip the animals head up,pull the loose skin up from around the mouth and make a funnel.Then spoon in the appropriate amount.
When coughing is caused by hay fever,giving an over-the-counter antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help reduce irritation.Dosing amounts vary,but plan on giving about one to three milligrams of medication for every pound of pound of pet.Ask for vet for exact amounts.
Weight is often a significant factor in older dogs that have chronic coughs.If we can get a few pounds of them,a lot off them,a lot of the coughing will disappear.
Stressful situations can trigger cough attacks.So when your dog's symtoms flare,give him extra love until things calm down.
WHEN TO SEE THE VET
When pets start coughing, it's sometimes a warning sign that something serious-like pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, a collapsed windpipe or even a heart attack-is going on. How can you tell when to be concerned? In a dog, if he's been coughing more than 24 hours, something is wrong and the animal should be checked out. Coughing is rare in cats, with the exception of expelling hair balls, and should always be seen by a vet.
Coughing is the most frequent sign of heart disease. If your dog is coughing and is breathing rapidly or seems short of breath, or if he has a swollen abdomen, get tot he vet immediately.
Lethargy-
Lethargy is a state of drowsiness, inactivity, or indifference in which there are delayed responses to external stimuli such as auditory (sound), visual (sight), or tactile (touch) stimuli. Lethargy may also refer to the general malaise and decreased activity exhibited by animals that do not feel well.
Lethargy is a nonspecific sign associated with many possible underlying systemic disorders. It may have little to no impact on the affected individual; however its presence may represent severe or life-threatening illness. Lethargy of more than a day’s duration should not be ignored, and should be addressed, especially if it persists.
General Causes
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Other blood disorders
Cardiovascular (heart and vessels) and pulmonary (respiratory) disorders
Chronic inflammation or infection
Drug or medication related
Electrolyte abnormalities
Endocrine (hormonal) or metabolic disorders
Gastrointestinal diseases
Urinary tract disorders
Cancer
Immune diseases
Certain severe skin diseases
Certain eye diseases, particularly those associated with blindness
Neurologic and neuromuscular disorders
Nutritional disorders
Behavioral disorders
Skeletal diseases
Infectious diseases
Exposure to certain toxins
Physical trauma
What to Watch For
A general change in demeanor
Listlessness
Reluctance to play, exercise or perform normal behaviors
Hiding, avoiding contact with people or other pets
About him not eating, I would say to try changing food brands. Also, if the the medicine your vet put him on is making him worse, then it's probably best to call your vet and tell him that you think it's time to take him off the medication.
The only reson I can think of why he is spitting is maybe he has mucous and is trying to get it out.
Before you do any of this, plese check it over with your vet to make sure it is okay. I hope this is helful and please keep me updated! Sending wagging tails your way!
...Nikki...
