Dog Question

calindi · December 2011

Those of you who have/had dogs, I'd love your advice!

Our little girl has been sneezing a lot, and it started about 4-5 days ago and has gotten worse (lots of snot today). She also will stop while playing once in awhile (like maybe once or twice a day) to wheeze, looks like she's struggling for breath. Once she calms down, it stops. Never more than a few seconds. She has lots of energy still, and eats her food, and doesn't seem to have a fever.

Should I bring her to the vet? I'd really like to see if she gets better on her own since it's so expensive, but I don't want to put her at any kind of risk. I feel like a new Mom who freaks when her baby has a simple cold! But at the same time, I don't want to ignore something serious.

Any suggestions? Really appreciate it!

P.S. I'm getting pet insurance for incidents going forward, but this one won't be covered since we haven't gotten the insurance yet and they usually have a waiting period, from what I understand. Any suggestions on what to look for in pet insurance would be much appreciated, too!!!

divinemsbee · December 2011

It might just be allergies. I know that my friend's Boston used to get like that and she just gave him baby benedryll, her vet recommended it. I might take her this time, but if it's anything like that he may recommend the same thing.

crownsuperstar · December 2011

Roxie has really bad fits in the spring/summer. I typically give her a benedryl. She sneezes and chews at her paws. The vet said benedryl. I don't give her the baby kind because of ther weight but yours is so much small I would do the baby kind.

firemedicrr · December 2011

dogs get 2mg/kg of benadryl, just FYI.... so basically it's just a tad under 1 mg per pound.

I give it to my dog if he's scratching a lot... and I also have given it to him to calm him down when bunches of people come over (haha).

LetsHikeToday · December 2011

My dog has allergies. Geno sneezes a lot. I would probably get her checked out just in case though.

Danidawn20 · December 2011

My dog has allergies. I also "clean" him every day with a baby wipe, that seems to help him. My vet has a call line where you can talk to a vet or a vet assistant and ask them questions. They let you know what you can do, and if you need to go in.
GL, let us know

AmandaSC1988 · December 2011

I was going to say my dogs tend to get "colds" when it is cold outside...but then I realized that is probably isn't cold in Florida like it is other places of the country.

If I use stuff on the carpets or put on a lot of perfume, poor Blaze would break out in a sneezing fit...Beagles noses are like a million times better than ours. Even if it is allergies.... She is still a baby, 12 weeks (I think you said 2 and a half months when you got her?), I personally wouldn't give benadryl at that young of an age...talk to the vet first and foremost before ever giving your pet any medication.

When she wheezes does she sound like this (clicky)? If so, it is called "Reverse Sneezing" and it normally happens when they get super excited, sort of like hyperventilation, but you should cover the nose and make her breathe out her mouth. It really isn't a big deal, it happens to a lot of dogs.

Good luck!

calindi · December 2011

Amanda, I was hoping you'd post as I know you have a lot of experience with dogs.

Yes, I had already read about "reverse sneezing" and some places say it's more dangerous than others. I think that's what it is - it only happens when she's super excited. I'll try that about covering her nose. Usually if I pet her, she calms down and it stops.

I think I'll give her a bath tonight, and see how she's doing tomorrow - she seems to be a bit better today, and she's certainly got a crap ton of energy and eating normally, so hopefully she'll feel better. If not, I'll take her to the vet.

tyleet87 · December 2011

I hope your puppy feels better!

AmandaSC1988 · December 2011

Yeah, a friend of mine is a vet and I asked her about it when my beagles would do it, and said not to worry too much about it..it happened a lot with puppies we were training to walk on a leash because they aren't used to the irritation on the throat of the collar. Also more often in the spring when there were allergies.

TBH, with the whole thing I would not take her to the emergency clinic, or even a rushed visit next week (Unless she stops eating/drinking)...but it never hurts to have a check up with the vet to build a relationship... (ETA that is assuming you don't have a vet yet..)

shan87 · December 2011

I had ASPCA Stage 3 ($30/mo) insurance for the first year I had Missy. There is $100 deductible but it covered her spay and I think I saved about $100 for the year of visits. Now I have level 1 which covers only injuries ($10/month) .

sorry this is a P&R!

SamiJoeB · December 2011

I don't have dogs, but I wanted to mention that some humane societies offer vouchers to get dogs and cats spayed or neutered for a really good discount, that's how I got Theo & Max fixed.. You buy the voucher for $25 and then, in my case, I paid $35, I paid more because I wanted the boys to have the pain medication for a few days afterwards.. You have to get the voucher at like a certain place (Ours was tractor supply on the first Saturday of the month from like 8-Noon), usually have it worked out through a few different vets and you just make an appointment and tell them you have a voucher. Maybe something to look into Miss. Sophie's future!!

calindi · December 2011

She's actually getting spayed for free through the shelter where we adopted her! They have a really great system - costs $75 to adopt a puppy ($65 for a dog over 1 year, and $50 I think for a cat) and that includes all their initial shots, and an annual rabies shot (which you HAVE to bring them in for or else you get fined). They also will spay/neuter, but if they're too young they let you bring them home with a $50 deposit. You can schedule an appointment to bring them back and they'll spay/neuter and then refund your money, or if you prefer, you can get the animal spayed/neutered elsewhere and just provide proof and you get your money back. However if you do NOT spay/neuter your animal within some sort of time frame, they keep the $50 and issue you a $500 fine! They're serious about keeping the animal population down, which is pretty excellent, I think. I like that they do it for free!

calindi · December 2011

Oh, also, she seems to be a bit better today, so thanks for your advice to a nervous doggie parent! Still sneezing a bit, but less. And we took her to Petco last night to get more toys, and the dog trainer was chatting with us and she had one of her wheezing/'reverse sneeze' attacks and he wasn't concerned - said she's got a lot of snot, so it's probably her reaction to having snot drip down her throat.

shan87 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_dog-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:9d4945be-5607-4e8b-9455-24562ebd8b13Post:593153a9-f084-4deb-b149-7f1789582573">Re: Dog Question</a>:
[QUOTE]She's actually getting spayed for free through the shelter where we adopted her! They have a really great system - costs $75 to adopt a puppy ($65 for a dog over 1 year, and $50 I think for a cat) and that includes all their initial shots, and an annual rabies shot (which you HAVE to bring them in for or else you get fined). They also will spay/neuter, but if they're too young they let you bring them home with a $50 deposit. You can schedule an appointment to bring them back and they'll spay/neuter and then refund your money, or if you prefer, you can get the animal spayed/neutered elsewhere and just provide proof and you get your money back. However if you do NOT spay/neuter your animal within some sort of time frame, they keep the $50 and issue you a $500 fine! They're serious about keeping the animal population down, which is pretty excellent, I think. I like that they do it for free!
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

Our breeder required us to spay Missy. NBD to me, but note you shouldn't spay her before 4 months old. (I can't remember how old she is). I think you brought her to the dog park, but I would also advice against bringing her until all her shots are finished and she is at 4 months old.

I do love ASPCA insurance and they covered the most when I was comparing. If you go with them, you can pick a lower level coverage since you wont need the spay covered.

shan87 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_dog-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:9d4945be-5607-4e8b-9455-24562ebd8b13Post:3d2dbbcd-55ad-42a1-be80-ed9ffb108a4a">Re: Dog Question</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh, also, she seems to be a bit better today, so thanks for your advice to a nervous doggie parent! Still sneezing a bit, but less. And we took her to Petco last night to get more toys, and the dog trainer was chatting with us and she had one of her wheezing/'reverse sneeze' attacks and he wasn't concerned - said she's got a lot of snot, so it's probably her reaction to having snot drip down her throat.
Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

In this case I think you are fine w/o taking her to the vet- but remember a Petco trainer is not a Vet. I've had some really bad experience with Petco and PetSmart employees.

ETA: I don't mean to sound like a B. I know you have done your homework but I've had some terrible experiences with them.

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