My Shar Pei

Question
QUESTION: My 4-5 mths old shar pei has been having some vomiting symptoms. She does not get to vomit but it seems like if she's about to, but as soon as she feels that she is going to vomit she swallows it so nothing really gets to come out. Right after she swallows it she get hiccops, another thing is that she doesn't want to eat her dog food. What do you think about about that? I know you're not a vet but have 2 yrs of vet school...


ANSWER: Bethzy-

Its possible that she is having some digestion issues. How long has this been going on? Does she drink ok? Is she drooling/licking her lips/eating grass as well?

I'd recomend a vet check if this has been going on for more then a day or so. Some dogs will get a bit of an upset stomach for a day or two, but if it doesn't clear up on its own its time to go to the vet.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This has been going on about a week. She drinks ok... But sometimes she can be beside me & she starts swallowing like if she actually has something in her mouth when she really don't. Another thing is whe she is asleep she makes a lot of noise w/ her throught like if she is going to vomit. But after she swallows she gets hiccops but the hiccops she gets are back to back, but then minutes after they stop. Do you think it may be the food i'm feeding her or is it worms???

Answer
Bethzy-

That sounds more like inspiratory paroxysmal respiration instead of actually trying to vomit. Does it sound sort of like gagging with short rapid breaths through her nose? The swallowing when she has nothing in her mouth is most likely her swallowing the nasal drip.

inspiratory paroxysmal respiration is also known as reverse sneezing. It's a fairly common occurance, but in your dogs case I would think it might indicate a sinus infection or clogged sinuses, since she has been doing it so much. She may be trying to clear her nose so she can breath easier. Next time you hear her doing it, lift her nose and cup her muzzle, and breath a short, quick burst of air into her nose. (Like if you were blowing dust off of something) See if that stops her from snorting, since that will clear her nose.

Again, I recomend a vet trip, to see if this is true and also to find out what may be causing the sinus infection if she does have one. It might be a chemical in your carpet, or dust, or maybe she's allergic to one of the ingredients in her food. Either way, a vet will be able to help you out.