Not kennel cough..heart murmur/tracheal collapse?

[Calvincrowe]

So…vet visit has revealed our little “pig in a poke” Pomeranian shelter dog is one sick little pup. Waiting on blood work and xrays, but I’m a bit pissed off at the shelter for not disclosing their findings to us at the shelter (buried in a report–so bad me for not reading all 90bazillion pieces of paper, but seriously, don’t say he has Kennel cough when he clearly doesn’t!!).
Update from vet:
Mr. Pommy has a grade 4 heart murmur, 2 teeth that must come out (expected that) and a pretty severe case of tracheal collapse based on initial reading of xrays.

He’s on clavamox for the teeth infection, and a cough suppressant. As soon as he’s more stable, we’ll take out the molars.

How do you control the play of a wiggly, happy Pom who loves to fetch but also keep him thin?? What should we feed him? He’s currently getting TOTW dry and a dab of TOTW wet am/pm.

[SquishTheBunny]

Keep him thin and fit and use a harness, not collar. Thats the best thing you can do.

Have a stash of sedation (torbutrol or similar) for episodes where he becomes distressed.

Cardiologist for the heart murmur. Sometimes even a grade 4 is not a big deal, it depends the source of the murmur.

Acute distress will likey happen from the collapsing trachea, not the heart. Just talk to your vet, they will reassure you and help you feel prepared for owning a dog like this Feel free to PM me

[tallyho392]

i adopted a portly toy fox terrier with the same tracheal problem…had never heard of that issue prior to this dog’s diagnosis…seems to be a semi common thing with small dogs, and surgery is an option for youngr dogs…

however, weight loss was my first and primary goal…and WOW! what a difference…no more coughing,hacking and gagging, she is extremely active,and does fine…i too, was instructed to use a halter instead of a collar…and i don’t even have a collar on her,to avoid anyone using it as a handhold…
it’s been a few years since this first happened, and i know as soon as she begins to gain a bit of weight, because the random coughs begin…
i swear, she gets about 15 pieces of dry kibble twice a day…lol…it is a pittiful looking amount…i use verus brand dry dog food…and lots of small carrot treats, cucumber slices, and sweet potato (raw) to satisfy her mooching habit…
good luck with your little one

[RiderInTheRain]

Feeding

A different medical situation (my old dog did have kennel cough), but I would let small amounts of his regular kibble soak in water and/or chicken broth before feeding him. I also fed many smaller meals instead of 2 large ones to make it easier on his throat.