cocker spaniel hacking

Question
QUESTION: We have adopted the most gregarious, loving cocker in the world!  We know that he has slight allergies (we feed him Enova), but aside from AM sneezing and occasional hacking, it doesn't seem to affect him.  Recently, the hacking has worsened,but Brady's energy level and appetite are very high. The vet can't find anything wrong, saying that his heart and lungs are very strong.  Could he be suffering from hair balls like a cat?  He repeatedly licks his paws which have long fine fur on them. Thank you for your help but

ANSWER: Hi Carol,
It's time for a new vet.  Some of this can indeed be a slight allergy, but a hacking cough needs to be diagnosed
properly and it hasn't been done.

You say you're feeding Innova (excellent food) and I'd switch to Innova Evo Canned instead of kibble.
For the allergies, I'd put him on 10,000 IU of Vitamin A for one month to see if that helps.  Buy a brand that has no "soy - salt - yeast - corn - sugar -milk products.
That's not hard; there are lots at any health food store.

Repeatedly licking paws is a sign of allergy but it's usually not a food allergy.  90% of the time it's inhalant or contact.  My own 3 year old male had the same paw licking symptom and after 3 weeks on Vit A (recommended by two Board Certified Dermatologists) he was fine.  With cockers, this is usually the first approach since they have a recognized condition called "Vitamin A Responsive Dermatosis" and it's almost peculiar to the cocker.

But the hacking cough needs attention and your vet saying his heart & lungs are "fine" is just inadequate.  Please do schedule a visit to another vet who will hopefully offer more help.

And remember...the Vit A is for one month only and I'd like to hear from you after switching to canned Innova EVO
and putting him on Vitamin A.  The EVO is super for cockers because it has high protein and low carbs which is ideal for cockers who do not do well on kibblel.
Best of luck and keep me posted
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your advise Delores; I', on my way now to get the vitamin A and the canned Innova.

Brady did not have a temperature, but the vet did put Brady on anti-biotics for two weeks and if the hacking does not stop, wants to do a chest x-ray.  I didn't give you this information previously.  Do you still think I should try another vet?  Thanks again for your help.  I'll let you know the outcome of the change in food and the vitamins.
Carol

Answer
Carol,
There's Innova and there's Innova EVO.  Get the Evo.

Okay re the vet.  I'm surprised he didn't immediately try a cough suppressant to see if that helps.  Sometimes, as with people, the more you cough, the more you cough, if you get what I mean.  Coughing triggers more coughing.  You could phone him and ask which OTC cough syrup and in what amount he'd recommend.

And do remember..no extras in the Vitamin A (soy - wheat - yeast - sugar, etc).  This can't hurt and may well help his skin.  One month only and then we re-assess.
Delores