Fagan was operated on for GDV (torsion/bloat) back in April, his stomach was stitched, his spleen removed and he has been fine since - apart from an awful cough

He had fluid on his chest after the op, possibly due to him drinking water whilst his stomach was twisted, he was put on a long course of antibiotics but it didnt work.  He has since been back for x-rays but the vet could find no reason for his coughing on there.  He had also partially lost his bark, the vet put him on steroids to see if this would sort it all out but I had to take him off them after a couple of weeks as they were making him really poorly and hadnt made any difference to his cough. 

His bark has nearly returned but he still has this awful retching cough like he is trying to bring something up.  He doesnt do it at any particular time, he can even be asleep and suddenly wake up coughing.  He is fine in himself has loads of energy and eating normally.  Ive put him on causticum homeopathic tablets to see if they work.  The vet has said that he can be referred to a specialist to see if they can find anything but I just dont really know if I want to put him through more tests meaning anaesthetic and being pulled around some more.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this after surgery ? Im not really sure whether to just leave him be now or take him to the specialist.

Claire

I havnt had any experience of this but if he were mine i would be inclined to see the specialist and have further tests done- it cant be very nice for him to have this cough, and by the sounds of it hes come through a lot worse so the benefits of having this sorted easily outweigh the downside of anaesthetic-...you could always see the specialist and at least see what they have to say.

p.s. could he have a really irritated throat? ive heard honey helps but have never used it :S

Yes honey does help, ive used it with kennel cough, this isnt that kind of cough though - it comes from within !!!  I think we have no choice but to see a specialist, at least see what they think.

When they are under they are tubed, are you sure this isn't a sore throat as a result

Yes Barbara, my first thought too.
As an emergency I imagine they intubated him very quickly and may have scratched his larynx going in or coming out.
Unfortunately looking down with a scope would likely irritate it further.

This was my first thought too. A torsion from the tube might cause this problem.

yes, the reason his vocal cords were damaged was due to the stomach tube being inserted which was why he lost his bark.  But the cough is more of a retching cough like he is trying to bring up phelgm, if it was his throat I would imagine a dryer cough.

If his vocal cords are damaged he may now have laryngeal paralysis. With this dogs suffer from a retching cough when they have been asleep or at rest as the cords collapse. If this is the case tie back surgery may help.

Sue 

He does seem to do it when he is resting, its not something he does after running which I thought was unusual for a cough.  I will speak to the vet, thank you