Confused about my Collie

Question
QUESTION: Hi, i wonder if you can help me. i adopted a collie from the local spca centre and collected her yesterday and she seemed to be settling in ok untill last night when she woke up and started acting a bit funny. she was wheezing and chocking but after a minute or so she was ok and her tail was wagging again. this has happened twice since then. also she hasnt eaten a dinner since we collected her even with us feeding her exactly the same as the kennels had and at the same time... please help im a bit worried. she is approx 1 year old and is a border Collie

ANSWER: Does she do this only at night? When sleeping? Or after exercise?
It's not terribly unusual for a dog to go off their food a bit when changed to a new home. While we as humans, might not understand why a dog would be stressed when going from an spca type situation into a loving home where they are cherished and safe, to them it's simply a change. Not speaking English they do not understand where they are how long they're there for, what's going to happen to them from moment to moment. They are creatures of habit and when their schedules change, it takes them awhile to adapt and adjust.  She'll come around on the eating aspect provided she is not ill. Remember also that refusal of food is often the first symptom of illness, most dogs don't show illness any other way until they simply can no longer avoid it. I'm betting her lack of appetite is from stress though and she ill come around with time and love. The cough concerns me, could be nothing more than an allergy or a reverse sneeze, or it could be something along the lines of kennel cough which will need a vets attention. Fill me in on how often the symptoms occur and how long they last etc and I'll try to help more.
blessings,
Cindi

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

QUESTION: since my first message we have given her another meal which was eaten with great pleasure (thankfully). as for the cough, it doesn't seem to happen after any particular event. the first time it happened she was in her bed asleep and woke up coughing and wheezing and her stomach was convulsing. i thought she was going to vomit so rushed her out into the garden and petted her and tried to calm her a bit.. after a minute or two she calmed down and was bouncing about the house like nothing had happened. since then it has happened when she has been playing while out on a walk and when she was just sniffing about the house. i have checked the places she has been for anything chewed or anything that she could have choked on but found nothing. she was given a vaccine for kennel cough when she was taken into the kennels. thank you for all your help

Answer
Ok I really believe your dog is suffering from inspiratory dyspnea. Border collie's are a breed prone to what is commonly called reverse sneezing. Have her checked out by the vet to be sure there are no lesions or any other health issue that could be causing it. Chances are she doesn't. Put her on omega fish oil supplements, nobody nows why this helps , only that it does. It's often allergy related, or allergies worsen it., so make sure her food doesn't contain by products, corn, wheat, or soy. Beef is best left alone as well too.
When it happens, try rubbing her throat gently and blowing in her face. This often will make them take a breath and break the sneeze pattern.Make sure she doesn't eat or drink too quickly. I would probably break her meals into four smaller ones per day rather than two large ones if that's possible. Encourage her to drink water often rather than waiting until she's thirsty and gorging herself.
It won't hurt her, at least I've never heard of any severe complications caused from the disorder. However it is scary for some dogs and uncomfortable. If it doesn't seem to bother her, be sure you are very matter of fact about it so that you don't teach her that it SHOULD bother her,
she'll be fine :)
Cindi