Excessive salivation and swallowing

[sarahgurl928]

My dog started licking everything today- the couch, the carpet, the tile, the concrete, etc. At first I just thought he was being neurotic, but then he started salivating a lot- my whole lap was wet- and he is just a mini dachshund. He has been eating grass all day and trying to puke but can't. Other than this, he is acting totally fine- playing, barking, eating/drinking, urinating, etc. I have already tried to find a vet who would accept payments ( I am a med student and currently really broke)- that isn't going to happen. I cannot believe these vets take an oath to care for animals, but literally told me that he will die if I cannot produce cash. When I take my oath as a doctor, I would lose my license and go to prison for murder if I refused to treat someone who was very ill. I applied for the care card, etc- it isn't happening. I have no money, so I am trying to find ways to help him. Is there a natural laxative to give him? How about an emetic? Any suggestions as to what may have caused this? He does not seem to be in pain, and I hear bowel sounds in his belly. He is sleeping now, but everytime he gets up he starts swallowing, licking, salivating- and when he goes outside he eats dirt and then retches. Also, these symptoms have been occurring for about 15 hours without excessive worsening, so I can only hope it is not life threatening. The only thing I can think to do is to hand him to the cold hearted vet when I am sure he is really sick and leave it in her hands. I am in no means cold hearted or cruel to my animal- I am simply at wits end. He is my best friend and my whole life - I have been crying and worried sick all day. Any help would be very greatly appreciated- I have a feeling I won't be sleeping for awhile.

[Ghilly]

Licking at things and profuse salivating sound to me like he could have a bad tooth.  Either that or he could have something stuck between the tooth and the gum that's causing him discomfort, and the licking is an attempt to finding something to relieve it.

Do you have a debit card or a credit card?  Sometimes, even if you just give the vet the card number and all the other information, they will agree to see the pet because they know that if you don't pay, they can just keep trying to hit the card and eventually get their money.  It's worth a try.  Some will take a post-dated check.  

Because of the excessive salivation, it really does sound like it could be a tooth problem to me.  Keep an eye on him and maybe just get a pile of phone books and call every vet in them, explain the situation, and hopefully one of them will agree to see him and allow you to pay them as soon as you can.  If you find one that will, as soon as you get a few dollars, send it their way.  As long as they know you are sincere about making an effort to pay it off, they won't bother you and harass you for the money, but you have to show them you are honstly making an effort.

Ghilly