gagging and wheezing

Question
Simone is a 12 year old poodle.  She has been health and active with few issues.  The last six months or so she will have a gagging or clearing of her throat (like a cat with a hair ball) then she is off and playing or whatever. She also licks the carpet and the bedding pretty regularly, if that is important.  Three days ago she had her grooming done and was razored burned on the bottom and between her back legs.  She started dragging herself across the carpet and making it worse.  I tried to keep her clamed down but at night she was like "a cat on a hot tin roof". She was jumping,scooting,flipping and whining, like I've never seen before. I called the vet and they said to use medicine I had for hot spots and some Benedryl. I didn't have the Benedryl but after a pretty calm day she started this gagging and labored breathing when we went to bed.  It reminds me of of a person with allergies. Could this issue have aggrivated the gagging, she already was doing before she got into such a frenzy?  Would Benedryl help and if so should I continue it for the gagging?

Answer
Hello Sue,
The Benedryl would be a good idea to start Simone on.  We also have a Std Poodle that sniffs and makes a noise like she is trying to clear her throat from time to time and I think that its due to allergens in the house.  Benedryl has helped her some, and it wouldn't hurt to try it with Simone.  We also have a Poodle that will lick the carpet and kitchen chairs.  I don't know what causes her to do this.  I have heard that they start the behavior, then continue it because it gives them pleasure (that they like the feeling on their tongue).  You might get on to her when she does this to discourage her from doing it.  There are bacteria and germs on the carpet and bedding that could worsen her allergy symptoms.  If getting on to her doesn't help, you can either buy an over-the-counter product to help her stop, such as Bitter Apple spray or you can make up a spray using water and Japaleno juice that you can spray on the places that she likes to lick.  You have to watch the Japaleno juice though because sometimes the dogs actually like it.  Its a 1/2-1/2 mixture.  
For the jumping, scooting, and flipping, that is a reaction to being razor burned.  It itches her and causes her to rub trying to scratch the itchy places.  When she itches them they get irritated and that causes them to itch more.  It can be a vicious cycle.  You can apply Benedryl cream to the irritated spots or an antibacterial cream with a pain reliever.  Neo Sporin makes a triple antibiotic with pain reliever.  

When you give her a Benedryl tablet, you can give her a whole tablet, but give it to her in the evening.  They tend to make the dog drowsy, so giving it to her about 2 hours before she goes to bed will help her sleep during the night with less activity.  

I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim