Help Please: 6 month GSD with runny nose, some labored breathing - Page 1

Hello, seeking assistance with a 6 month GSD pup that for the last week has had a runny nose leaving green mucous drops throughout the house, what appears to be some congestion which results in what sounds like labored breathing.

At night the dog seems to have difficulty sleeping and is generally miserable. We're in the NW where we're finally seeing the weather warm up so we have a moderate pollen count but I'm concerned it could be more than than.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you.

TAKE HER TO THE VET ASAP DO NOT LEAVE THIS TAKE HER NOW

Yes, get the pup to the vet at once; this does not sound like allergies.

Sounds more like distemper. God I hope not. 

I agree with the rest of the posters get this puppy to the vet.  I would say it is either distemper or a very severe upper resp problem.  I have had one litter from a shelter that had distemper, the entire litter was humanely euthanized.  In parts of the US it is being seen on a frequent basis. 

With the economey the way it is so many people are skipping vaccines and in the rescue/shelter community we are seeing a LOT of Parvo even in adults and distemper.

I can't understand why it has been observed for a weeks time....and no one thought that it was "not" normal, and perhaps a vet visit is in order?!...or at least a phone call to one?....I'm sure they would have suggested bringing the puppy in..?!
I understand the economy...it has hurt us also very badly.....but I would not wait a weeks time, seeing such mucus and labored breathing on any dog...especially a puppy....
Please...seek vet attention immediately!...don't waste time asking for advice over the Internet forums!
The advice you will receive from here is the same...."See the vet!"

I agree with see a vet immediately. As a Vet tech, I can say that yes, distemper is a possibility. Or kennel cough, canine influenza, pneumonia or an upper respiratory infection. NONE of these should be "waited" out! As to the increase in diseases, it started before the crash in the economy. I work for a vet who's practice consists mostly of AKC show breeders and handlers. We have seen parvo and distemper cases in some of our best breeders, wiping out whole litters. This started when so many people adopted the new vaccine protocols of every three years on adults and starting puppy shots older and less frequently. Her belief is that the mother's colostrum is not passing on as many antibodies to the puppies...combine that with starting vaccines later on the puppies and you are leaving them wide open to disease. She believes in vaccinating brood bitches annually and recommends puppy vaccines be given at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age.

Whenever you see resperatory symptoms in a dog, discharge from the nose (especially GREEN!) and trouble breathing, go to get professional help immediately.  Don't waste a minute.

It is not like a kid with a runny nose, dogs are different.  It is bound to be serious and the longer you wait, the worse the outcome.

Michele

I can't understand that when a dog is clearly exhibiting "abnormal" symptoms, that the owner would come to a Dog Forum and ask, instead of "putting pedal to the metal" to the Vet.