Have you heard that urp, urp sound your dog makes in the middle of the night? All pet owners are familiar with random sounds of their furry buddies that may alarm them. While most noises are not to be worried about, you must know which one needs immediate attention. One such pet health problem is gagging which may need a visit to a veterinarian. Know what causes it and why it does not result in vomiting.
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What Is Gagging?
Gagging is sometimes confused with retching, but both are technically different. Retching is an action that precedes vomiting when the pet’s abdominal and esophageal muscles contract. That is why the pet makes urp, urp sound. The purpose of retching is to induce vomit on its trip up the esophagus. Unlike vomiting or regurgitation, where stomach contents are expelled, gagging primarily serves as a defense mechanism against choking hazards.
Why Gagging Occurs Without Vomiting?
Gagging is not the same as vomiting or regurgitating. Gagging in pets is frequently accompanied by coughing, triggered by irritants like mucus or fluids lingering in the throat. While vomiting involves stomach contractions, gagging is a protective response to stimuli detected higher up in the throat, aiming to expel them before they descend further.
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What Conditions Cause Gagging?
From lower respiratory problems to heart problems, or issues in the larynx, such as laryngeal paralysis. Here are some possibilities that cause gagging:
Bloat: While typically associated with retching, persistent attempts at vomiting with no success could signal gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Foreign Object Ingestion: Dogs are notorious for swallowing objects that may obstruct their airways. If choking is suspected, prompt action, such as the canine Heimlich Manoeuvre or veterinary intervention, is crucial.
Respiratory Infections: Conditions like kennel cough or pneumonia can induce gagging and coughing, often indicating underlying respiratory issues.
Laryngeal Disorders: Laryngeal paralysis or inflammation can disrupt normal swallowing and lead to gagging, especially in certain breeds.
Tracheal collapse: In older breeds, the cartilage rings that hold the trachea can weaken and sometimes even collapse causing coughing and gagging.
Other Causes: Various factors can provoke gagging episodes in canines, from sinus infections to intestinal parasites.
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Is Gagging An Emergency And How To Diagnose It?
Generally, gagging is not considered a medical emergency. But, if your dog has choked on a foreign object, or has difficulty breathing, head to the vet at once. Film your dog when gagging, so you can show the video to your vet as the dog may not gag at the clinic. Note when the gagging occurs. Is it after eating or drinking? That could suggest laryngeal paralysis. Is gagging frequent at night? That could be due to congestive heart failure. Did it start while they were chewing? A foreign object can be the prime reason. The veterinarian will listen to the dog’s heart and lungs or do blood work to look for signs of infection and may also take radiographs to look signs of pneumonia.
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How Is Gagging Treated?
Treatment options vary based on the cause of the gagging and depends on the cause. Consult your veterinarian, trust your instinct and get appropriate treatment for gagging. Here are some treatment options:
- If the veterinarian diagnoses gastric dilatation-volvulus surgery may be the best treatment.
- In case of gagging due to a foreign object, the veterinarian may remove it under sedation
- In case of pneumonia, the veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics and humidifiers. In severe pneumonia cases, the pet may be given oxygen
- If It is Laryngeal paralysis, drug therapy can be done and cough suppressants may be treatment options for a tracheal collapse
References:
- Approach to the Coughing and Dyspneic Dog
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=3860833&pid=11242
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/gagging-in-dogs/
