My lab/shepherd mix is 12yrs old. For the last six months we have been battling a staph infection that has now stayed dormant while on Baytrel. Since moving to Florida 6yrs ago he has had an occasional battle with this though. His panting is almost non-stop and when not he is breathing through his nose it is very heavy, I can hear him across the room. When this began back in October 2004 I thought it was stress related because I had to put my other dog down. My vet did many tests and the only thing unusual was his alkaline phosphate at 1700, was 1200 recently. For years he has been a heavy water drinker so that has not really changed. He does not have accidents. A few months ago he got Hornus in one eye but w/in a month it cleared itself. He sneezes and shakes/dreams in his sleep-both I have noticed for most of his life. His nose runs with a clear discharge so much that I previosly thought he wasn't holding his bladder. give him a meat bone daily and he can barely finish due to panting/breathing diffuculty. He is on Agility by HealthyPetNet for arthritus which has stopped his hind legs from shaking. I also give him Noni juice. The vet says his blood/organs are all healthy and he is very happy, alert, and active. My only concern is the breathing/panting. His lungs are fine too. Is this Cushings? His hair/coat are fine. Although he has gotten many old age bumps recently. He breaths so hard that you can see his body shaking. Could it be a nasal fungus that is breaking down his nasal passage? He seems to drink so much water because he has dry mouth from panting. Please give me your best advise.
Thank you,

Jennie