My senior dog is coughing and hoarse. Why are her X-rays normal?

This could have various causes, the most common one would be an infection with kennel cough which can cause excessive coughing which in turn can make the dog hoarse and so diminish her bark. There are more serious causes such as laryngeal paralysis, a vocal chord swelling or tumor and other conditions that make it hard for the vocal chords to vibrate and make the correct sound. mechanical interference such as an ingested and stuck foxtail, piece of bone , etc. which can cause an abscess in that region. Trauma and nerve damage, hypothyroidism and autoimmune conditions can also change the bark. So, you can see that this is a complicated subject. Your vet is trained to properly examine your dog and diagnose your dog's condition. Depending on the cause, medications may be indicated, rest, or surgery (in case of a tumor or abscess). An appointment with your vet will be the best.

Hi there! I would recommend having this checked out by your vet when you're able to. A wheezing sound in the throat, hoarseness, and/or a raspy quality to her panting or breathing are all concerning for something interfering with normal air flow in the back of her throat. This could be due to laryngeal paralysis, a growth or tumor, a foreign body, or something simple like a respiratory infection causing some swelling or inflammation in this area. Your vet can do a complete oral exam under sedation if needed to get a better look at her throat, and may also recommend x-rays or other testing to help check for abnormalities.

I am sorry to hear about Hunter. I would strongly recommend an examination by your veterinarian which should include x-rays of his chest. In any older dog that is coughing we definitely want to evaluate for more serious concerns such as heart disease or tumors. We can also have infectious causes of cough including fungal disease, or we can see chronic bronchitis. Your vet can prescribe icough suppressant's and any other medications needed.

There are a few different reasons pets can make the sound. It could be related to a collapsing trachea, fluid in the lungs or laryngeal paralysis. Try to record a video of the coughing and then have your pup examined by the veterinarian. The doctor may recommend radiographs after the physical exam and watching the video. I hope this helps.

He probably has some laryngitis. I suggest you start walking him with a harness instead of a collar. He could be damaging his trachea (windpipe) by too much pulling. The laryngitis should resolve on it's own with no treatment. If it does not, in about a week, then he should see your vet.

Sorry to hear that Bruno's lost his bark. A change in barking sound or a loss of bark can be associated with a few different conditions. While a collapsing trachea or an upper respiratory infection are certain possibilities, they are not the most common cause for this symptom. There is a condition known as laryngeal paralysis that is known to cause this symptom quite frequently. Regardless of what the cause is, it is unlikely to resolve on its own without some treatment. You should take Bruno into the vet for a physical exam and some diagnostic imaging. They will be able to tell you whether or not one of the above mentioned conditions is causing Bruno's current issues. Hope this helps!

If he was kenneled or groomed recently or has been around other dogs, it may be kennel cough. His breed is also predisposed to developing heart disease or a collapsing trachea. Shadow should be examined by your vet if the cough is worsening or if he is developing other symptoms such as lethargy, exercise intolerance or difficulty breathing. Chest xrays can be done to diagnose respiratory or cardiac disease.