ASK DR. B!

Does coughing dog
have bronchitis or a
heart problem?

My Cocker Spaniel, named "Carlo," is 9 yr. old dog...He coughs.

Doc. says that he has a "small" bronchitis because of extended heart (as seen on Rendtgen pic.), or is it vice versa? He is also...a little bit...FAT.

Any therapy or second diagnostic opinion?

Can YOU HELP HIM, please, tell me...what to do?

Thanks a lot, best wishes and regards,

Margarita
Skopje, Macedonia

Dear Margarita:

A bronchitis is different from heart disease. A bronchitis is usually responsive to antibiotics. If the problem is inadequate pumping of the heart, a cough that is most evident at night or early in the morning is the primary symptom. The enlargement of the heart may just be a result of the heart working harder to make up for a heart murmur. If the cough is related to the heart, it will need to be treated with medicines to remove the fluid that has backed up in the lungs (diuretic like furosamide) and a medicine to improve the pumping action of the heart (enalapril). Hope this information helps.

Dr. B

Back to:

Do you have a question for Dr. B? Submit it here! Dr. Baum will answer as many of your questions as possible!  REMINDER: If you believe your pet's situation is critical, Dr. Baum urges you to contact your vet ASAP.

Back to top

*Privacy information: Please note your permission to post your question allows us to share the information with other pets and their owners who may have the same issues to consider. We also reserve the right to publish questions and answers in other media. We never sell your email address or other information to third parties. Please check our privacy policy for details.