Coughing and tough questions

My now senior pug Louie has had coughing bouts on and off for a year. The first one began after an operation. Weeks and weeks of treatments got it under control where the coughing bouts became more intermittent. He had a dental last month though - to remove several abscessed teeth - and now the coughing has returned with a vengeance. Every night he wakes several times coughing. The meds hardly seem to help. And now my fear is he's suffering and we need to consider the Ultimate Question that all of us dread like hell. He's been to the vet and she promises to tell me if she "thinks it's time". He still runs for his food even if he doesn't eat it quite as fast (hyperspeed as opposed to quantum speed). He gets around well, loves treats, greets us at the door and recognizes my car when he sees it in the driveway. Tail is well and curled, first to the crumbs on the kitchen floor.

Here's a video of one of his milder attacks. My questions: how can I tell if he's in distress? Thoughts on causes or remedies? Suggestions? Anything? I need advice - I feel I'm not thinking straight and I want to do the best thing for him, not for me. Thank you in advance.

I'm so sorry he's going through this, Elizabeth, I know how much he means to you and how special he is.

I think you've answered the question yourself because he's let you know he still finds most of his life worth living, he'll let you know when it's not. I would get a referral to a specialist to see if there's any better way of managing this.

I'm on my iPhone so I couldn't watch the video, but I have a good idea of what's going on. A ton of good thoughts for you and your boy.

I have a 9yr old with the same type of cough. Just had her to the vet, did x-rays and discovered that she has a hypoplastic trachea, it is extremely narrow, bronchitis and beginning stage of CHF. She is on Doxycycline and Temaril-P and vet has recommended Vetmedin when the CHF gets worse. The meds are helping, still has the cough but not as frequent or hard.

Have you thought about trying accupuncture with him? Bailey had collapsing airway disease and it helped him tremendously...I got 2 more years out of him when UC Davis said he would be dead in 3 months. Also had the Temaril-P and Theophylline which helped.

It's really hard to think about the "UQ" and the cough does sound horrid.

But try watching the video with the sound off. He doesn't look to me as if he is in huge distress, although he is clearly not comfortable. When mine have a reverse sneeze attack they look much more bothered than that.

Clearly it is different when you see it first hand (and hear the accompanying noise) but from what you say it certainly sounds as though he is on the whole a happy chap. I would never want one of mine to suffer, but there's suffering and there's suffering if you get what I mean. If you asked an old man who had a persistent irritating cough that woke him up in the night he would undoubtedly tell you that if you could make it go away he would be eternally grateful. Harder to say whether he would say it was intolerable unless it was making the rest of his life a misery.

Hugs.

I don't have advice with this, but just want to offer hugs and support as I know how much you love Louie, he's such an awesome pug.

Pugsavers wrote:Have you thought about trying accupuncture with him? Bailey had collapsing airway disease and it helped him tremendously...I got 2 more years out of him when UC Davis said he would be dead in 3 months. Also had the Temaril-P and Theophylline which helped.

He's on the theo and currently doxy as well. I'm curious about trying the acupuncture. Two questions: is it expensive and do you know someone who does it near us (either of us)?

puglouie wrote:

Pugsavers wrote:Have you thought about trying accupuncture with him? Bailey had collapsing airway disease and it helped him tremendously...I got 2 more years out of him when UC Davis said he would be dead in 3 months. Also had the Temaril-P and Theophylline which helped.

He's on the theo and currently doxy as well. I'm curious about trying the acupuncture. Two questions: is it expensive and do you know someone who does it near us (either of us)?

I think it was about $125 a session, which was at least an hour. IMHO, this is cheap for vet services. The vet who I totally LOVE and trust is Dr. Jill Roberts Wilson. She works at various vets office from Elk Grove to West Sacto to Lodi. Email me and I can send you her email address. We have used her or PS pugs and I used her or Bailey and Tiny Tim and have sent other folks to her... I ADORE her!!!