Why does my dog cough, breathe hard, have purple tongue, but X-rays are clear?

You might ask your veterinarian if the X-rays could be reviewed by a radiologist. While the resolution that the forum pictures allow makes them a bit difficult to interpret, I am concerned that the X-rays do not appear normal, and she may have a more serious underlying condition. It may be that she has some underlying heart disease, cancer, or an infection that requires a more broad spectrum of antibiotic. I agree the blood work you've attached is unremarkable. Was a CBC performed as well? Check back with your vet about a radiology review, and a recheck exam as well. A consult with a cardiologist may be recommended, depending on the radiologist's opinion. I'm sorry I don't have better news, or a solution to offer you to try at home, but I think you need to circle back and followup with your vet on this. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Without seeing the x-rays and blood work it is difficult to say what is wrong with Tori. I am concerned about some type of cancer if there are spots on his chest and he isn't breathing well. I would recommend discussing this with your veterinarian, going to get another consult or you can always upload up to 3 images when submitting a question. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

A purple tongue is concerning for a lack of oxygen in the blood stream. You mentioned she is having trouble breathing as well! This sounds like it could be an emergency and I recommend to have Molly examined right away! Call ahead so they can be prepared for her. Try not to stress her in handling her and stay as calm as possible. Since she cannot talk and tell you what is happening, playing it safe is the best option. A sudden breathing problem can indicate a blood clot thrown into her lungs, a stroke or a heart attack. Any breathing problem is always worrisome and should be treated seriously. I hope this helps and that everything turns out for the best!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Coughing and bringing up clear liquid could be coughing up stuff instead of vomiting. This is important to try to differentiate. Coughing up liquid is more consistent with heart disease. The x-rays are difficult to read as the image transfer through is of poor quality and to really assess the lungs you need good quality images, however the heart does look a bit enlarged and the lungs do look a bit 'white'. I cannot assess the liver on these radiographs as you cannot see them. An enlarged heart, white lungs (fluid in the lungs), and an enlarged liver is consistent with both right and left sided heart disease. I recommend you return either to your vet, or another vet, and get a specialist ultrasound of the heart (an 'echo') to determine if heart medications are required. Your vet can also listen to the heart to see if a murmur is present in the heart, or 'crackles' are heard on the lungs. Heart disease is very serious and needs medications to manage. Without these Lily unfortunately will essentially drown in her own lungs, if heart disease is the problem. I suggest a recheck as soon as possible to get this figured out. Best of luck with Lily, I hope she feels better soon.

Poor Rock! The symptoms you're describing could be due to quite a few different things, so it's hard to say what might be wrong without being able to examine him and run some tests. Some possible causes would include heart disease, pneumonia (either bacterial or fungal), chronic bronchitis, or even some type of cancer that is involving his lungs. If the coughing has not resolved after a long course of antibiotics, I would recommend taking him back to the vet for a recheck exam and and further work-up. Chest x-rays, echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), and possibly bronchoalveoloar lavage would all be helpful diagnostic tests to consider, if these have not been done yet.

Older large breed dogs can sometimes get a condition known as laryngeal paralysis. The voice doesn't completely go away, but it can definitely become quieter or more hoarse. She could also have infectious tracheobronchitis, known also as kennel cough, as this can make the voice more hoarse. If she does not stop coughing in the next 1 - 2 days, or gets worse, I would take her right back in. Sometimes x-rays can look normal even when serious problems, such as pneumonia, are brewing.

Poor girl. Collapsing trachea is easily diagnosed with a chest radiograph (x-ray). I would request this test to be done. The vet can also assess Princess's heart to make sure she doesn't have underlying heart disease. If she does have collapsing trachea as the underlying cause, then she should be started on medicaitons (cough suppressants, potential steroids, bronchodilators, etc) to take at home to possibly help with this. However these will only provide some relief. The only way to provide a more effective treatment for this condition is surgical correction of the section of collapsed trachea. Here is more information on tracheal collapse in pets. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1527 I hope that you are able to get Princess some relief soon. Best wishes and take care.