are an undoubtedly annoying natural occurrence we must deal with from time to time. While some people suffer from more than others – we’ve all been there. And whether you’re aware of it or not, are very much a thing – and they are every bit as annoying to them as they are to us. Of course, because are a natural part of life – included – it can be helpful to understand what they are, where they come from, and when to consider them problematic.
, while an annoying and uncomfortable occurrence to your pup, is completely normal much like it is with . Whether it be a or an , this disruption in their can come out of nowhere, and for seemingly no reason. And much like a , a is not necessarily indicative of poor . But what are ? What causes a and what can be done to prevent it on the behalf of a ? are involuntary contractions of a – the muscle that separates the chest and abdomen. And from too much air to a simple case of diaphragm irritation – many things can cause a in your pup.
While Pawlicy says are almost always non-threatening, or can be a sign of something deeper. For example, might be symbolic of an underlying medical condition. While rare, everything from parasites and heatstroke to respiratory issues, Pericarditis, and hypothermia can cause . So, as a , if you suspect your dogs’ might be the sign of something serious, a quick trip to the veterinarian never hurts. in the meantime, here is so you might put your mind at ease the next time your furbaby has a .
Here’s
– it’s as simple as that. And while a might be scary if you’re new to pet ownership, are nothing to stress about. However, as a , it is natural for you to worry about their health, no matter if it’s a younger or . The thin, strong muscle known as the diaphragm is primarily responsible for , and its movements are usually smooth and regular. But when you hear your , that means the diaphragm is experiencing a spasm. Naturally, this reflex in the is quite bothersome for them. In the spirit of being a caring and supportive – here’s what you can do for your , what they mean, and when you should start to worry.
Do Not Hurt Your
According to PetMD, do not pose any threat to your in terms of pain or long-term stress. Although they might not be able to speak to us, you can tell from a dogs’ behavior that a is little more than simply uncomfortable for them. And if they were in pain at any point of their , you can trust in the fact that they would let you know. While most of the time, any occurrences of only last a few seconds to a couple of minutes, bouts of can be a big source of annoyance for your – and might even be indicative of something bigger.
Ultimately, taking the time to comfort your when they are in the midst of a can make a big difference, and it’s the best thing you can do. And while your mere presence may not get rid of their , letting them know you’re by their side is always a good idea no matter what issue they might be facing. As a , unfortunately, there isn’t much else you can do when it comes to – unless there’s a larger issue at play. In which case, it’s always best to seek guidance from your local veterinarian.
Puppies are More Prone To Getting
Whether you’re already a parent to a young pup or you’re looking to adopt your first , beware that are not just normal and commonplace – Daily Paws says they are more likely to occur, and more often as well. Again, this is true for both dogs and human babies. But why? What is it exactly that causes a to hiccup so often? Because pet owners are often vigilant in tracking the behavior of a new furry family member, it can be helpful to understand so you don’t find yourself panicking the next time your ‘s starts to spasm.
Simply put, a is more prone to getting due to high levels of excitement. Moreover, from eating and drinking too quickly to gas occurring in the form of , there are many reasons a experiences more often than an . Some experts even believe these are leftover from when your pup was in utero! So, the next time your finds itself dealing with the known as a hiccup, you can rest at ease knowing this is a common occurrence that doesn’t warrant further monitoring or a trip to the dreaded vet.
What Are Common Symptoms of ?
As a , it’s important you are aware of how your pup is doing, both physically and mentally. And while it’s not necessary for you to monitor their every move, when , it’s not always obvious that that’s what is happening. Because while human have that signature ‘hic’ sound when they occur, this is not always the case for dogs. In fact, The Labrador Site says while they might make this sound or something similar, they might not make a sound at all. Alternatively, their might include this sound accompanied by a burp and spasm.
As mentioned previously, are not unlike human . But in case you were wondering about a symptoms, the following are what to look for: a sharp contraction or spasm of the diaphragm felt below the breastbone, the instance of air being involuntarily sucked into the throat, a closing epiglottis that makes the signature ‘hic’ sound, and their conclusion after just a few short minutes. If this doesn’t describe your ‘s , you might be dealing with something else entirely. But in the end, knowing what to look for can save you a lot of time and money.
You Can Help Get Rid of
As a human being, you are likely aware that stopping this of the diaphragm is not an easy task. However, there are many methods for stopping – although the ones we’re familiar with are not all applicable to dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, however, there are various methods out there for stopping . And adding a few of these methods to your arsenal gives you, the , the tools you need to help calm your in times of discomfort or confusion. So, what are some ways to stop or prevent ?
One of the first methods for putting a stop to a ‘s is to try and calm . In fact, by helping your pup’s become more steady and rhythmic, their become a thing of the past. You can do this by laying them on their back and giving them a tummy rub. This can ultimately help their subside. Otherwise, providing them with plenty of water is an excellent method – much like it is for . Finally, because hurried eating can often influence , slowing down their eating makes a big difference. While this sounds less than easy, a food puzzle is a great tool for doing just that.
A Can Be Interrupted By Various Factors
According to TPLOinfo, As your inhales, it is the job of the diaphragm to contract and relocate downward in order to make room for the lungs to expand within the . The diaphragm then relaxes and moves back upward into the as the air is exhaled. When the diaphragm suffers an , however, this regular becomes interrupted. But what causes this to happen? What are some common factors that cause dogs to have ?
Rover lists a bounty of reasons a might incur . Some of these causes include drinking water or consuming their too quickly. And while many are aware of these causes, there are lesser-known reasons a can get the including increased levels of excitement and stress, , or anything else that causes excess air to get trapped in the lungs. And while there’s not much you can do as a to stop altogether – there are definitely methods for reducing the frequency of , including monitoring their eating and drinking, and keeping them from too much stress.
When Should You Be Concerned About ?
As we shared earlier on, and it’s entirely normal. However, sometimes, can be symptomatic of a larger medical issue. But how can you know? And when is it time to get a second opinion about this seemingly normal occurrence? After all, knowing what to look for in normal and can save you a lot of time and worry, as well as tell you when to get them checked out in case there is a larger problem involved.
For starters, a typical in dogs is only going to last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. So, if your is hiccupping for more than an hour or so, you might want to contact a vet. Otherwise, if their becomes further interrupted and the turn from the usual ‘hic’ to a wheezing sound, it might be time to sound the alarm. Finally, when a dog’s are accompanied by other symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, or discharge from the nose – this could mean they’re suffering more than just and you’ll want to get them seen by a professional as soon as possible.
Can Occur for Several Different Reasons
While we touched on this topic earlier on in this article, there are many influencing factors behind and in general. And when you understand and can identify these different causes, it becomes easier to both monitor and take the necessary actions toward keeping them happy, healthy, and comfortable – as well as hiccup-free as much as possible. While you will never be able to prevent from occurring entirely, there are certainly ways to lessen their frequency as we discussed prior. So, what are the reasons why a might get ?
Outward Hound outlines several different reasons why your gets – take a look. First, the more common causes behind include them eating or drinking too fast. And while most dogs are fast eaters, this causes air to get trapped in the diaphragm, ultimately causing that dreaded . AKC Pet Insurance states that by incorporating something like a slow feeder or food puzzle and watching their water intake, this cause can be eliminated. Furthermore, gas and gastrointestinal, , increased levels of stress and excitement, and over-exertion during play are also contributing factors that can result in .
What Do Normal Look Like?
Just as it’s important to recognize , being able to identify your ‘s can be incredibly useful and ultimately reduce any unnecessary stress or worry. So, what do normal look like? Do they sound just like a ? The short answer is yes and no. While are often easy to recognize, sharing the same qualities as our , other times they can look and sound quite different.
As you know, normal have that signature sound or ‘hic’ that gets triggered when too much air. While almost always make this sound – dogs do not. So, their might be rather quiet or even accompanied by a burp-like sound instead. But what do they look like? If you suspect your might have the but they are relatively silent, you can be sure by watching their movements. For example, a with will often appear to jerk or shift, most noticeably their chest might ‘jump’ or shake each time a occurs. Again, the Veterinarians site says as long as they aren’t exerting more of a wheeze along with coughing, sneezing, or producing discharge – you’ve got nothing to worry about.
What if Your Experiences or ?
We know what you’re thinking – we’re talking about here, so what does have to do with anything? Furthermore, what the heck is ? Chances are, while you may have experienced them, you might not be aware they are occurring. For starters, is another term for , and it can be quite an uncomfortable thing for your to deal with. Cascade Hospital for Animals explains a reverse sneeze or hiccup as something that can happen when a inhales air rapidly, rather than exhaling as they would with a normal sneeze. And it typically happens when their nose or throat is irritated, causing another sort of spasm to happen. But what can be done when this happens?
Unlike regular , or can actually be stopped in their tracks with a little help from you, the . So, the next time your pup shows signs of reverse hiccupping, you’ll be prepared. These signs can include loud snorting noises, coughing or choking, and the usual hiccup indicators you normally see in your . To help your if you think they might be suffering , simply plug their nostrils gently and lightly massage their throat. Common factors that might trigger instances of or include pollen, smoke, dust mites, and the like.
Now that you’ve read , you hopefully understand them a bit better. From what they are to where they come from and what they mean – the issue really isn’t so complicated. However, taking the time to learn more about and specifically, gives you and your the best chance at a long healthy life. Because not only do you now know what to look for, but you also understand what causes and when you should be concerned. In the end, your furbaby will thank you for your love and concern.
