Hi all,
I am new to the forum. We have never had a dog before, and decided to get a cavalier. We got her about 2 months ago. Maggie is now 5 1/2 months old. I have noticed that every time she drinks water, she coughs once or twice immediately after. Is this normal. Upon doing some research, I read that coughing can be a sign of a heart or lung problem? Maggie does not cough when running, playing, panting, etc. It is only after she drinks water. What could it be? Anything serious?
Also, she has had diarreah since we brought her home. Her first fecal exam came back positive for coccidia. She was treated with albon. The next fecal exam came back with giardia. She was treated with metronidazole. Her most recent fecal exam (yesterday) was negative for parasites. However, she has continued to have soft stools. She only goes to the bathroom 2-3 times per day, but her stools are always soft and mushy. I figured it was the parasites causing this, but yet, it continues. What could be the problem here?
Finally, is it bad for her teeth if we mix in a spoonful of canned food in with her kibble? Over the past 2 weeks, we have slowly been weening her off Eukanuba and onto Merricks. She refuses to eat dry food alone, so we continue to mix a slight spoonful of canned pedigree in with her kibble.
Thanks for any responses or advice you can offer!
I am new to the forum. We have never had a dog before, and decided to get a cavalier. We got her about 2 months ago. Maggie is now 5 1/2 months old. I have noticed that every time she drinks water, she coughs once or twice immediately after. Is this normal. Upon doing some research, I read that coughing can be a sign of a heart or lung problem? Maggie does not cough when running, playing, panting, etc. It is only after she drinks water. What could it be? Anything serious?
Also, she has had diarreah since we brought her home. Her first fecal exam came back positive for coccidia. She was treated with albon. The next fecal exam came back with giardia. She was treated with metronidazole. Her most recent fecal exam (yesterday) was negative for parasites. However, she has continued to have soft stools. She only goes to the bathroom 2-3 times per day, but her stools are always soft and mushy. I figured it was the parasites causing this, but yet, it continues. What could be the problem here?
Finally, is it bad for her teeth if we mix in a spoonful of canned food in with her kibble? Over the past 2 weeks, we have slowly been weening her off Eukanuba and onto Merricks. She refuses to eat dry food alone, so we continue to mix a slight spoonful of canned pedigree in with her kibble.
Thanks for any responses or advice you can offer!
