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A Cough After a Poodle's Collar Got Caught

by A reader

Reader Question
My poodle had a freak accident on yesterday, his colar was caught in my mobility scooter and his head firmly wedged in the boot of the scooter. It took us some minutes to release him and he was bleeding from the mouth. He walked home ok and I gave him TLC. Today he has had a little cough.. He has plenty of energy so I was not unduly worried. I would have no hesitation taking him to his Vet if I thought it necessary. What do you think. I suffered shock afterwards so maybe it is shock.


Answer from Our Team

I'm glad he got free. After strong pressure on the neck, a mild cough can come from bruising of the throat, windpipe or voice box, and bleeding from the mouth may have been a cut on the gums, tongue or lips. Most mild cases settle in a few days.

Please have him checked by your vet within a day or so, because neck injuries can occasionally cause swelling in the throat, a small tear in the windpipe, or bruising of the lungs that gets worse before it gets better. Go right away if you notice noisy or fast breathing, a honking cough, swelling or crackling under the skin of the neck, coughing up blood, pale or blue gums, or trouble swallowing.

Until then, keep him calm, walk him on a harness instead of a collar, and offer soft food. And please take care of yourself, too. It's normal to feel shaken after a scare like that.

See gagging and coughing in dogs.

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

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