My senior Westie is coughing and struggling to breathe. Is it urgent?

Question

My westie is 10 she has had a cough over the past couple of years and had every type of test they still can't figure out what it is, she had corvental tablets and that sent her cough away till recently when it came back, I took her back to the vets and then was prescribed more corvental but stronger she has now developed serious shortness of breath over night and bad posture, help. Pet's info: Dog | West Highland White Terrier | Female | unspayed | 10 years and 5 months old | 24.2 lbs

David Darvishian · Accepted Answer

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Brooke. Breathing problems are definitely an emergency. I would advise getting Brooke to your veterinarian for a recheck or an emergency vet if your vet is closed. Breathing problems can have many causes including chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, infections (viral, bacterial, etc), heart valve problems, heartworm disease (not sure in UK), inflammation of the respiratory tract, among many other things. Your vet can re-evaluate her and advise some diagnostics based on the exam findings. Blood tests and x-rays would be indicated as an initial attempt to diagnose what is going on. In a smaller breed dog of this age, I would be looking and listening for signs of a heart murmur and congestive heart failure. Older small breed dogs commonly develop problems with their mitral valve leaking which can result in congestive heart failure. Good luck with Brooke.

My senior Westie is coughing and struggling to breathe. Is it urgent?

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