my 12 year old chocolate lab has recently been acting as if is about to throw up except nothing is coming out its like she has a hair ball she needs to give up but she cant do it. i took her to the vet but he has no clue whats going on. im getting pretty worried because she is so old. has this happened to anyone else?
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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my 12 year old chocolate lab has recently been acting as if is about to throw up except nothing is coming out its like she has a hair ball she needs to give up but she cant do it. i took her to the vet but he has no clue whats going on. im getting pretty worried because she is so old. has this happened to anyone else?
If this is recent and sudden, then I would find a different vet, immediately.
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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my 12 year old chocolate lab has recently been acting as if is about to throw up except nothing is coming out its like she has a hair ball she needs to give up but she cant do it. i took her to the vet but he has no clue whats going on. im getting pretty worried because she is so old. has this happened to anyone else?
I'm sorry --- I posted half my reply.
Sudden gagging/coughing/retching can have several causes (Cushing's, congestive heart failure, bloat, and more).
It can also be a sign of aging: weakening esphogas muscles.
The point is that the vet should have found the cause because of the fact that a couple of the reasons are serious, and because congestive heart failure is so common in Labs.
This is my opinion only, and I'm not a health professional.
im guessing my vet must not be very good because he said this isnt fatal... i didnt really believe him and from what you posted im very concerned about what his is telling other people whose dogs have serious health problems.
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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im guessing my vet must not be very good because he said this isnt fatal... i didnt really believe him.....
He may be 100% correct. I had the impression he said he had no idea what it was. If he had no idea what it was, I don't think he could also comment on whether it was serious or not. If it's actually weakening of the muscles of the espohagus or something like that, I believe he should say "This is what it is, and I do not see CHF, Cushing's, bloat, or other serious ailments," and not "I have no idea what it is but don't worry about it." Just my opinion.
I had a very senior Bichon (adopted) years ago who developed congestive heart failure when she was 16 or so, and her symptoms were exactly what you describe. When I read up on it, I remember finding that Labs were very prone to CHF.
My dog was treatable, with diuretics and other meds, and she lived a couple more years, still playing, eating happily, and active (for a very senior dog).
Again, I'm certainly not suggesting that your dog has CHF.......only that I would want a much better answer from my vet than what you got.
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