puppys health

Question
hi, my 4 mths old puppy has been coughing in the past week, but i only hear it in the morning. Also, i tried feeding some apples to her, she seems to enjoy it, but she vomitted a few hours later. Is this normal?

Answer
If the coughing doesn't clear up in a few days, you should take her to the vet.  

I am not surprised at throwing up after eating apples.  Any sudden change like that can lead to digestive upsets.  Modern dog chows are carefully formulated to give the dogs the complete and balanced diet they need.  The less else you give your dog, the better for it.  You should be feeding a puppy chow now. Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.

Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx