gagging, coughing, vomit only when excited

[Cindy]

HI!

My friend has a 4 year old female mostly black Lab, has some Chessie is her. She looks like a black lab only slighter build.

Her problem is, when she gets very excited (playing and running, going to a new place) she begins to gag and throws up little spots of foam and phlegm (sp?).

She never does this when she is calm.

She is a "service dog" but not really. Her owner is in a wheelchair and has taught her to pick things up off the floor but mostly she is used as a calming influence in public when the owner gets anxiety.

She attaches the dog to her chair with a choke chain. The dog constantly is pulling or being pulled around by the choke chain. However the gagging happens off the chain as well as on. Getting her excited seems to be the trigger.

Any insights? I am trying to get her to bring dog to vet---previously vet has said nothing is wrong, but that was awhile ago.

[Marty]

How often does she get fed? If it's only once a day, she could try dividing it up into 2 meals. Some dogs do better with this.

Another thing I would suggest doing is switching to a martingale collar instead of the choke chain. They are made to tighten up, but only to a certain point, so as not to choke the dog.

[davet]

agree with Mary...more often feedings...I think what happens is that the dog gets excited and poroduces excess mucs..like a post nasal drip... and then it gets stuck on the back of the throat and causes the gagging...Another 100'000 years and dogs will earn to spit to avoid this problem.....again just a guess

[Cindy]

She gets fed twice a day, morning and evening BUT she is pretty picky and often will not touch her breakfast all day! I suggested to her owner that she spice up the kibble with a bit of cheese or meat, or even change foods, but owner is often reluctant.

I work as an aide to this girl. This morning she asked me to mix a bit of shredded cheese into the dog's food, which was supposed to be yesterday's evening kibble. She ate it right up.

I will suggest more consistent eating patterns, thanks!

[Marty]

She could also try a little yogurt or cottage cheese mixed in. Those are actually good for the digestion.

[Tambrey]

be careful with cheese as it can cause constipation issues!!

she may want to talk wiht her vet about a different food or something safe to add in to encourage her to eat it

[lmd]

The choke chain can cause some damage if it is used for pulling. The damage can cause such throat issues. How about a lesson in using a buckle collar?

[mamaof4soon]

I agree with everyone as well. You might have to take your time in trying to have her change the food. What kind of food is it?

There can be damage from those chokers so the collar that was said is defanitely something I would recomend. Also come to think of it....Is the choker used so the dog doesnt pull? If so then how about some training so she has a well trained dog that doesnt pull therefore a choker wonthave to be use.

She seems like the type of dog that does need the two meals and if she doesnt eat then the owner really should think of changing it. Is she on a fixed income and that is why she wont change it. Or is she like me and doesnt like change? Is there a way to maybe give her a "gift" like buy a new collar for her and say wow here ya go or a birthday coming up for doggy. Or maybe say that the petstore didnt have the food and I had to get this if you are the one who goes shopping for her. I know it's a lie and I had to lie but when someone is stubborn as most of my family sometimes you have to let them think they thought of it or agreed to a gift so they think it was them and not someone 'telling' them they had to do it.

If she is stubborn and wont change food then i would definatly doctor up the food when doggy doesnt want to eat it. Make sure she gets fed two times a day and drinks well. Change the collar and that shoudl help with her throat.