Dog health question: Anyone had a pet with similar symptoms?
First: I’ve already taken him to the vet twice, and have now been referred to a specialist, who I’ll be seeing tomorrow.
He’s a 60+ pound beagle/blue tick coon hound mix, neutered with all of his shots.
His first episode was in late October. He began swallowing or gulping repeatedly and loudly, and had slight muscle tremors. I do not know if this happened after a lot of exercise, but we had recently gotten a new dog and they were playing in the backyard. On this day there were also a lot of wasps out (which he’s never learned not to bite at despite being stung before, no adverse effects), a few sticks they’d pulled out from beneath the deck, and since she’d had some fleas, he had recently been given a round of a permethrin-based spot on flea medication.
His voice changed over the winter and his whines/growls became very strained and high pitched, though he could still bark normally. In January he had another episode following some intense running around. More swallowing repeatedly, but no muscle tremors. He was pacing urgently and desperate to go outside and eat grass. When he was inside, he tried to eat a cloth comforter tag. He eventually threw up bile. He would also stand there drooling, something he never does, and he was hungry but didn’t want to eat his hard food until I’d moistened it.
His third episode was last Friday, again after some intensive activity. Started with swallowing again, then pacing and desperation to go outside. He was staring at his food, so I gave him some wet food, but he eventually threw up food and bile. He normally doesn’t snore but he did that night.
He also has clear nasal discharge and his gums are usually somewhat pale, though right now they look pink. When the vet checks his throat right under his ears, he starts coughing.
He’s had x-rays taken of his throat and chest, nothing abnormal. He’s going to get an endoscopy tomorrow.
Also: his appetite and thirst are fine. He eats and drinks well and has no problem with hard food when he is not having an episode. At least, if it hurts him, he shows no indication of it. He’s gained five pounds between January and March.
Oh yeah. When he’s not having an episode, which usually lasts for about a day, he seems perfectly fine and happy.
He’s three years old. He had muscle tremors the first time but not since and shows no signs of lethargy or anything. Even in the midst of an episode, he’s alert and energetic.
I have no idea what kind of x-ray they did beyond what areas were done.
He’s been on a different food for a month.
Little curious how it could possibly be an allergy when the only thing that sets it off is exhaustive activity of some kind, and in all three cases he had something very exciting going on.
First time was after new puppy, second after first time to the park in a while due to winter weather, third time was after company was over.
His heart and lungs were fine on x-ray, he has no exercise intolerance, and he’s as energetic and alert as ever.
Also, his voice has since changed back to normal, and the third episode was not as bad as the second, which was not as bad as the first.
Is it at all possible the permethrin is still stored in his body and when he’s super excited/energetic, it’s released and he has another reaction to it?
Permethrin toxicity includes his symptoms, but it seriously has been months since the one time I used it. I disposed of it away after his first episode so he hasn’t gotten into it since.