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small dogs with difficulty breathing

13:27:52

Question
I'm watching two small lhasa apso/shih tzu/westie mix brothers for a relative. I've had them for about two weeks. They're getting along fine with my female basenji.

In the last week or so, both of the mixes have started snorting and breathing heavily. It's never serious, but it's a change from the norm. It generally happens when they get excited (going outside, playing in the house, feeding time, etc). My basenji is having no problems, so I'm hesitant to call it an illness. Could it have to do with the weather change recently (it got much warmer all of a sudden)? Allergies?

There's been no change to their diet, they're still active and eating and happy, they just have difficulty breathing occasionally.

Any ideas?

Answer
Hello Ellen -

It is possible for the brothers to have an allergy but there are other factors attributed to pet allergies then just the symptoms you described. You would know for certain if and allergy was present if they were scratching along with snorting.

Dogs really don't get "colds" or nasal allergies they get viruses. They tend to have more skin allergies than anything. Dogs may develop respiratory problems that mimic human colds. The cause of the human cold, the human rhinovirus, is not considered to be a risk for transmission to dogs, but animals are susceptible to other viruses in the picornavirus group to which rhinovirus belongs. Cats however show more human signs of a cold and nasal allergies than other pets. With no change in the brothers diet and them being active, eating and healthy I don't think they are sick.

It is possible that they are excited to be playing with another dog. Our Golden Retriever snorts and coughs when he gets winded from playing with the neighborhood children. Although he is in good shape, he is using more energy is highly excited and can't keep himself calm for a minute. I would say this is similar of the brothers.

Your dog is not showing any of these signs, she is a different breed and built a little different body wise, so I am going to say she's handling play time on a calmer level.

Give the borthers some Chamomile Tea. This will help relax them and if they are coming down with something, it will help them fight off an infection. Also, add Garlic powder to all of their foods. Garlic is an anti-microbial and if any of them are carrying a canine virus this will help ward it and kill it off. Don't be afraid to shake it on the food with a heavy had, dogs love Garlic and they should all eat it up quickly. Anytime you pet shows signs of an illness, add Garlic to their food and it will help decrease the bacteria levels. The only draw back to adding Garlic to the food is flatulence. It may be a little stinky but it is doing its job by pushing the bacteria through the system. Just keep a couple clothes pins handy!

I would honestly not worry about this. Should the dogs vomit, have nasal discharge, change their eating habits, become lethargic and quiet or show any out of the norm symptoms I would see a veterinarian just to be sure its not a canine virus.

I hope this information has helped you, your pet and "pet relatives". If you would like additional information on natural and herbal remedies for human and pet ailments, please contact me at   wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you and send you a catalog of my homemade remedies.

Thank you and best wishes.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist