Does anyone know
Submitted by roanne9145 on April 24, 2010 - 1:32amWhat would make a 5 month old puppy be raspy all the time? We took her to the vet several times because the pup was sounding very raspy but coming from the throat area like wanting to cough something up all the time. When ever she drinks she gets raspy and has a little water coming from the nose. I know with a new born it means be careful they could inhale into the lungs but when they check her her lungs they are clear. Can't figure this out. They put her on simplex (sp) once but still didn't do anything. Any suggestions would be great since the stupid vet can't figure it out.
Thanks
Roanne
It is probably exactly as it sounds--
she needs to cough to clear her upper airway. But since dogs don't have the same cough reflex we do they don't cough as easily. I have found that activity--like play--which increases the respiratory effort encourages them to cough and clear the raspiness. In my experience it has not turned out to be anything to worry about.
Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/
May be allergies
My boy hank was 'raspy' when we brought him home and a friend of ours told us to put him on a wheat/wheat gluten free diet (including treats) .... To me it sounded like he was phlegmy, like he needed to cough or clear his throat. Once we switched him to this diet it took about two weeks and most of the phlegm was gone. He will still occasionally get phlegmy but it is usually after he gets into our other dog's food (not wheat free) or gets a treat with wheat in it by accident. Dairy products also seem to make him slightly phlegmy or raspy. Bulldogs have very sensitive allergies, most of the time undiagnosed so just play around with what he is eating and the types of treats and you may find the right combination to clear up his phlegm. A quick fix to get rid of the phlegm when it does come, especially if it sounds like it is interfering with his breathing is a quick shot of lemon juice ( i water mine down) right in the mouth. Hope this helps. The key to Hank's phlegm was wheat unfortunately but there are lots of foods and treats out there without it, just have to read the labels.