13-Year-Old Doberman With Wobbler Disease, a Deep Night Cough and Wheezing

Wobbler disease affects the neck and spinal cord and doesn't itself cause a cough or diarrhea, though some medicines used for it can upset the stomach. But a new night-time cough with wheezing in an older Doberman needs a prompt vet visit, because Dobermans are at very high risk of dilated cardiomyopathy, which can cause coughing and breathing problems from fluid in the lungs. Other causes include pneumonia, especially in dogs with mobility problems, and airway disease.

Count his breathing while he's asleep; if it's consistently over 30 a minute, or he struggles to breathe, has pale or blue gums or collapses, go to an emergency vet. Chest X-rays will help tell heart from lung problems. Mention the diarrhea too.

See heart disease in dogs for more on DCM in Dobermans.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.