Why is my senior Chihuahua coughing blood, congested, and tired?

These signs could be compatible with a respiratory tract inflammation/infection or potentially could be related to heart disease. Considering the lethargy, a systemic sign, I would recommend a check up as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause and establish appropriate treatment. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I'm sorry Chiquita isn't feeling well. I am worried that she may have a very serious problem going on. I don't see her age noted. If she is an older girl, my first concern would be some type of cancer. Either primary lung cancer or spread of cancer to the lungs (the primary cancer is somewhere else such as in the lymph nodes, liver, etc), could result in heavy breathing and coughing. Other possible causes include pneumonia and heart failure. Sneezing blood could be related, or it could be a separate issue. Sneezing blood could be a sign of a nasal tumor or foreign material such as a grass seed in the nose. You can use a cool mist humidifier nearby where she is resting; this may bring her some relief. Offer her a variety of soft food, as well as plain chicken and or peanut butter to try to entice her to eat if she's not eating-- however DO NOT force feed her as this could result in her aspirating the food (the food going into her lungs rather than into her stomach) which would worsen the problem. Get her to a vet if at all possible. A vet's office may be able to direct you to a low cost clinic in your area. You could also consider applying for Care Credit; which gives you a period of time (usually 6 or 12 months) to pay of the balance interest free. Here is the website: https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/?dtc=Q640&exact=care%20credit%20for%20pets&sitecode=CCDTCSEMQ640&gclid=CjwKCAjwpIjZBRBsEiwA0TN1r_bz-ABB4SjQyGZd2mNjhlCo5ifWA41i0S4BgGmVCGLkICQKIeUN7RoCgTIQAvD_BwE I hope thats helpful for you. Sending best wishes to you and Chiquita!

Tiny Tim is a little old man and just like in people old dogs can get congestive heart failure. Having fluid in his chest, coughing at night while sleeping, exercise intolerance can certainly point towards such a congestive condition. Of course he could also have contracted an upper respiratory infection or inhaled a foreign body that is now stuck somewhere in the upper airways. You should take Tiny Tim to your veterinarian for a geriatric exam. A respiratory infection is usually treated with antibiotics and sometimes anti-inflammatories, A foreign body needs to be found and removed, and if a heart condition is diagnosed, he will be prescribed diuretics and medication to help the heart do its job more effectively. Your vet will want to do blood tests and an x-ray of the chest.

Poor Cherry! I'm sorry to hear that she's having this problem. There are many things that could cause coughing and difficulty breathing along with congestion in the lungs - some common possibilities would include heart disease, pneumonia, or even cancer. It would help to have more information about what your vet found during her physical exam (such as whether she has a heart murmur or not), as well as some additional diagnostic tests such as blood work, an echocardiogram, etc. to help diagnose the problem. Treatment and prognosis will depend on what the underlying problem is, so without this information, it isn't really possible to tell you whether she will be okay or not, or what you can do to help her. I would recommend calling your veterinarian to ask for some additional clarification on what they believe is wrong with her. If they aren't sure, or if they don't have any additional suggestions for how to proceed from here, you can get a second opinion from another local vet or request referral to an internal medicine specialist for further work-up.

Lola is very cute! Her symptoms could be a sign of heart disease, which can be common in older dogs. They could also be caused by allergies or a respiratory disease. The only way to know for sure what is causing her symptoms is to have her seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose what is causing them, and what treatment options are available to her. I recommend calling the vet today to make an appointment for her next week. Best of luck.

I'm sorry Shanelle isn't doing well! Yes, I would take her into to see the vet. At her age, while it could be she has a respiratory infection, it's also possible that she is suffering from heart disease causing the sounds when she breathes. It's best she has a physical exam, geriatric blood tests, urinalysis, and chest x-rays to see what is causing her symptoms so she can be treated. If she did have heart disease, it cannot be cured but the symptoms can be managed with medication. I would have her seen by a vet on Monday or Tuesday. I hope this helps!

These signs are likely to have an infective origin. Viral and bacterial causes are most likely. In my opinion a clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!