Advice needed for new dog owner!

[simba1]

We have had the absolutely gorgeous Millie for nearly 7 weeks now and she is such a dream it is unbelievable but as new dog owners, we wanted some advice.
When we have been for a long walk or off lead run, she makes like a cough/clearing of her throat noise for about a further 20minutes or so as we are walking along with her on the lead. It sometimes sounds like her collar is too tight-which it definitely isn't. The vets said it was just because she is out in the cold air, but if anyone else has any ideas/suggestions, we would love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Sara and the boys and Millie.
x

[DianeB]

Congratulations on your Millie, i have a Millie too! I was wondering if she has had kennel cough from kennels before you had her. When i first had my Millie she had had it while she was at Dogs Trust, but after i adopted her, she contitued to cough for a few months afterwards when she had a run. The vet told me it sometimes takes a long time to stop coughing even thought there are no other symptoms. She did eventually stop about 3 months later.

[kris]

when we took Wagger in, our big old grey, he clears his throat like he has a feather stuck. Its not chest - just throat.
We had him checked at the vets, and when he had a good teeth descale - they had a good luck - nothing.
The vets say it could be damage from being janked around when younger. We have had him almost 6 years and he has always done it. It is worse when he has a good bark.
Not ever got better or worse with age.
I think just keep your eye on it - but if your vets gives the all clear - dont stress too much.

[Ali]

Does it sound like she is grunting, as if she is breathing in but not out - as if she is catching her breath? I'm just wondering is she is reverse/backwards sneezing?

Although a bout of reverse sneezing usually only lasts for a short time (seconds/couple of mins), so 20 mins sounds like quite a long time if it is reverse sneezing...

It sounds pretty horrible - a grunting noise as if they cannot breathe.
This link explains it quite well: Click Here

My Lucy does this from time to time for no apparent reason. I can usually ease or stop it by gently and slowly rubbing her throat or by gently pushing her nose down and towards her chest.

Might not be this, of course but worth mentioning.

Glad that Millie has settled well, she sounds as if she's having a great time with you ;D

[vickyb]

When we got Gracie she did lots of reverse sneezing, on one occasion before we knew what it was we almost went to vets now at 1am , then I read on the net that it is a very common reason for out of hours vets visits.
Her bouts lasted quite some time, although each one was short she would do it several times in a row with a minute or longer in between, so it did go on for the sort of time you say. She also did it after running, which was very scary.

Oddly, as she has settled down she did it less and less until she's stopped now. Like Ali I would stroke her throat or hold my hand just in front of her nose to try to get her to open her mouth which would stop it (read the advice on a vets web site).

I did find a video clip somewhere which was very helpful to see a dog doing it, no idea where though so might be worth a search, also does it sound a bit like a snort at times?

[mtbbuxton]

Our lurcher Mayo quite often coughs after running as he has some mild scarring to the inside of his throat (caused by a tablet getting stuck and burning) We make sure he always has access to water as this seems to help him. Obviously I don't know if this is the case with Millie, but just another possibility.
Moira x

[simba1]

Thanks for all advice, Millie is a bit better but it is definitely like she is clearing her throat, as if something is stuck. We will keep an eye on her, but she is so settled it is brilliant and what a cheeky girl she is-we all fall for her beautiful eyes!!!
Sara and the gang.
x