Swallowing Hard

Last night before bed my dog (shes 1 year old) randomly started swallowing really hard like something was stuck in her jaw/throat. We checked and there was nothing that we could see, but she was constantly licking her lips/paws/floor, swallowing hard (u could feel it in her stomach) and her throat seems to almost have a swollen lump in it....it probably lasted 10 minutes, after she had a drink of water everything was fine.
Then the same thing happened again today about 30 mins after she had eaten her food (same dog food shes always eaten) she didn't swallow anything, she was playing with one of her toys (i was watching her) she spit it out and started the same behaviour. I thought she was choking on something from the toy so I immediately checked her air way, her jaw was hard to open but i got it open pulled her tongue (it was jammed against the back so u had to pull it down to see) so we could check her airway and it was clear. I checked her toy and there was no parts off of it. So it seems like it just randomly started this time it lasted about an hour. Obviously I called the vet in this time, he advised me that "she probably has a bad taste in her mouth just to let her drink water, maybe give her a fave treat and make sure to check the house for objects on the floor she might be eating."
I was kinda annoyed with this answer but she had stopped so I got her to drink some more water and gave her a treat like he said. About 20 mins later, it starts again, she was sitting on my lap when it started, I know she didn't eat anything.  This time her breathing seemed harder. It seems to have stopped now, but obviously I'm pretty worried.
So any suggestions? Am I over-worrying?

[sojka123]

sure seems like something is not right.  Could be something lodged anywhere in back of her mouth or throat or even esophagus.  Could be an area of irritated tissue or ulceration.  Water helps sooth it temporarily.  

I'd suggest only canned food and in small amounts until you can get her to vet on Monday.  Plenty of cool water.  

Vet's will want to tranquilize her and probably do an endoscopic exam of track all the way to the stomach.  also may do both a plain x-ray as well as a contrast (barium swallow type) film.  this should find what is going on.  

[help_my_pup]

My dog, who is 10 months, just started having very similar symptoms yesterday.  He is swallowing hard, licking the ground a lot, it seems almost like he is dry heaving.  It starts up every few hours and last 10 - 30 mins.  I'm wondering if you ever found out what was happening with your dog?  I took our dog to the vet today and got xRay's done, but we need to go back tomorrow to do more testing.

Any feedback would be helpful.

[GeneOH2]

My dog is doing the same thing.  I took her to the vet before and they claimed it was an infection and i got antibiotics.  well that worked for a while but shes had this problem 3 or 4 more times since then so i feel like my 200 dollars was wasted.  Vets are like highway robbery over 100 dollars just to get them seen.  Its freaking ridiculous.   I search google to see if i can find whats wrong with my dog so i dont have to spend an enormous amount of money.... and what do you all say?  Take them to the vet.  DUH!!  i didnt need to search anything to find that answer.  Im looking for a different answer besides that because the vet doesnt work.  Why cant we get someone who really knows whats going on to answer this question.  From searching different sites it seems like a common problem yet the best answer i can get is to go to the vet. Come on people ANSWER the damn question i sure someone knows!

[Misfits4Me]

Hello & welcome......I found this article for you...Hope it helps give you some ideas....

Canine Post-Nasal Drip: A Miserable Situation for Any Species
Filed under Dogs

Canine post nasal drip is a condition in which your dog's sinuses produce a vast excess of mucus, which then drains down the back of his or her throat instead of being passed into the nasal cavity where it can later be expelled. It's a frustrating condition that causes an almost constant sense of irritation in the back of the throat and in addition to increasing the likelihood of infections and sore throats, it can add a lot of stress to your dog's life that could cause him or her to act out in unusual and unwanted ways.

The number of potential causes of canine post nasal drip is vast. It can be instigated by basic respiratory diseases such as rhinitis and sinusitis, or it could develop as the result of trauma to the throat and sinuses such as acid reflux disease or a particularly bad instance of airway blockage. It's even possible for allergic reactions to food, medication, or something in the environment to cause canine post nasal drip to occur.

No matter the cause, the disease is rather easy to diagnose. There are certain clinical signs which you should be on the lookout for in your dog. These include constant swallowing in an attempt to get rid of the tickling sensation in the throat, congested airways that might lead to wheezing or a reduced tolerance to exercise. He or she might not eat with the same zest that he or she typically does because of a chronic sore throat that is often accompanied by uncontrollable fits of coughing. Lastly, persistent bad breath is a very good indicator that your dog is suffering from canine post nasal drip.

Treatment depends largely on the underlying cause of the condition. During the early stages of diagnosis, it's important to give plenty of fluids to your dog to help relieve congestion and dehydration. During this time, a large number of cultures and swabs will probably be taken from your dog's throat and nose in an attempt to more accurately understand what's causing his or her suffering.

If the cause is found to be a persistent infection of the sinus, then antibiotics are the usual course of action and are often very effective. Occasionally, a physical defect will result in the persistence of a post nasal drip and in these instances, regular nasal irrigation must be employed. Certain minor surgeries to re-route the flow of the excessive mucus might also be useful to your dog. If the cause is found to be allergic in nature, then the above steps might still be taken to relieve your dog's suffering while the allergy part of the disorder is treated independently with medications such as antihistamines and strong decongestants. Steroids have been used effectively in the past, but they are not recommended for anything more than short term usage.

While there is no real cure for canine post nasal drip, the disease can be very effectively managed by paying attention to your dog's environment and helping to isolate the central cause of the disorder. It may be that a simple lifestyle or diet change is all that's necessary to relieve his or her suffering.

See if any of this info. rings a bell.....Let us know...Karla

[Keldar52]

Re POST NASAL DRIP In DOGS,,,I live in Canada.My beagle has suffered with this for 2 yrs.  1 trip to vet & my questions were answered,,an allergy to ??,,,Anyways prednisone was given,,just a small dose which decreases the inflammation,,however when done prednisone about 4 months later we are back at square 1...Benadryl allergy works (child dose) & cool rooms..treat your dog as you would yourself,,try things that will help,,when they get this they get anxious because they don't understand what is wrong,,so have patience.They seem to try to eat anything that isn't tied down & i think this is because they think there is something stuck in their throat,,but there isn't its the drip down the throat that is irritating to them,,good luck all & if i discover any good remedy i will post,,,

[Maryameyk]

THANK YOU FOR THE ARTICLE.  FINALLY A REAL ANSWER.  I do not use drugs on my dog unless critical, and no invasive activities either.   For me, This may  very well be the case for my Peekapoo, who because of the small nose may have this issue.  It has happened before but not as bad as tonight.  It freaked me out and she got even more nervous.  So she had some grass from the garden and without throwing up is now relaxed.  
As for the allergies, she sneezes and wheezes and can cough out stuff when i tap her on the back or side of her lungs.    I think it is time to get the air cleaners out , in Minnesota an early spring (by 2 months) is probably not helping her.  I will probably wash all her bedding and toys too and make sure the house is really clean just to be safe for her and us too.    

[Misfits4Me]

Hello Mary & welcome.......If you can give more details about your girl, we may can help you farther......My first reaction to your post is what is called a "Reverse Sneeze".......But, with no description, it could be a number of things......Let us know & your welcome for the article.......Karla

[biglake]

What's the source of this article on post nasal drip

[Misfits4Me]

TerrificPets(Dot)com......Listed in the Learning Center Articles....

[Toyotagreg]

Thanks so much!
I think you may be correct, as many other posts, we have take our dog Roxy to two different vets, with no clear diagnosis. She was on cyclocillin?  its a strong antibiotic, as she had what sounded like fluid around her heart and lungs. this helped with the excess fluid but the symtoms (symptoms) persist. One other thing she began having runny eyes at the same time, which follows your diagnosis.  Again thanks!  now off to find a solution!

[Iscbohowit]

Many things can be the cause and breed and age of dog can help as some breeds are more likely to suffer from post nasal drip.  Acid reflux will cause nose or air licking and licking the ground, tooth/gum disease or mouth problems like a splinter can as well.  

Bacterial infections can cause the same symptom.  If there are other symptoms like joint pain eye discharge, rapid breathing I would look at tick induced problems like ehrlichsiosis, lyme disease and anaplasmosis.  

[Jenoro]

My dog has bad reverse sneezez,and  hard swallowing, it makes me think there is a hair stuck in his throat. But then, he will lick up and eat anything he can find. Hair, fuzzies, cardboard, he will try to swallow blankets, rip and swallow sheet strips whole. Last nite i pulled a foot long strip out of his throat, still attached to the sheet, he was ripping n swallowing as much as he could, he also puked up two very big hair  balls. He only does this once in a while. Maybe once in 2 or 3 months. I just dont understand why. I put him in his kennel with nothing else. No fuzzies, not one hair if i can. Then i give him  1 tums,  and wait till he is done. 30 min to 1 hr.   This happens even after he has eaten. Anyone know why this happens to him?

[patandoz]

My Berneese Mountian Dog has had this same problem since he was a pup. First we thought he was ingesting bugs, frogs, or plants and seed pods from the yard, "We live in a forest". I have asked and asked my Vet, he checks my Oz out but never finds anything except maybe wax in his ears,
I have always thought it may be stomach irritation due to post nasal drip. "My dog has a long snout". But wasn't sure dogs got PND. The vet never verified this when questioning him. I now clean his ears out with a vet approved ear cleaning solution follow by Mometamax to help with dryness and itching I use one adult Benadral tab followed by an over the counter antacid like Tums It seems to clear it up after a few days. I also noticed when he has these symptoms my dog starts scratching his neck often. "He doesn't have fleas".
I do make sure he has a bit of food in his stomach before starting this program. During the winter and fall these symptoms seem more prevalent, Allergy Season for humans. My dog eats a high end dog food. We have tried many kinds he is on Blue, others caused him to have more symptoms and to throw up constantly

[HarleyRose1]

My dog is going through this for the 1st time right now & I am FREAKING out but remaining calm for her. I too called my vet & he was asleep as it was 1:30 am, now is 2:50 am & it is still going on. She is so restless & licking everything, especially under the couches, dressers, tables & anywhere there is dust & crap. I have been trying everything to sooth her, excessively, but nothing works longer than a few minutes & then she needs to get up & pace & lick again. The vet said she is just irritated & likely got into something while out side for her bed time pee & that she is just going to puke. She has puked before but NEVER had behavior like this EVER!! She is licking the air too & when I looked on line, after my frustrations with the call to the vet, all I can see for very fitting answers is that she is having a seizure!!!! All the symptoms match & so do most al of yours & yet none of you seem to have mentioned that as something you found on line too? When I typed in excessive dog licking every link I had come up was about seizures!! I am so scared & I am praying this will soon stop...and never happen again & she is my sweet sweet girl, like my daughter & it is killing me seeing her go through this & I feel so helpless. The vet didn't seem like I was welcome to call back if it didn't stop or if she didn't puke & so I am torn as he is the only one on call for tonight, now 3 am & my vet doesn't open until 8 am. I hope you all found the answers you are looking for as too do I hope I do as well. All the best to you all & your sweet babies. My sweet Harley is so tired right now but she can't stop pacing & licking, almost 2 straight hours now.
Harley's Concerned Mommy...XOX My Sweet Girl

[poppieoosthuizen]

I cannot thank you enough for this posting and all the others up to April 2013.  My bullterrier aged 1 year started with this symptoms last night and I was petrified - she off course more. Sincerely, Poppie and bully girl Bianca ♥