Why Does My Dog Have Hiccups & How Do I Treat Them?
Just like us, dogs can experience hiccups! These hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the muscle that helps with breathing. When it suddenly contracts, it causes a quick inhalation of air, leading to that familiar “hic” sound. While hiccups might seem harmless and even funny, they can sometimes be uncomfortable for our furry friends, causing a little jerk of the body or persistent irritation.
What Causes Hiccups in Dogs?
Hiccups in dogs can happen for various reasons, some more common than others. Here are a few key triggers you might encounter:
- Eating or Drinking Too Quickly: Dogs, especially excited puppies, can gulp down their food or water too fast, often swallowing air along with it.
- Excitement or Stress: Like humans, dogs can hiccup when feeling particularly emotional. Exciting moments, like playtime or greeting you after a long day, can trigger this reaction.
- Gastric Issues: Sometimes, hiccups signal underlying digestive problems, such as gastritis or bloating.
- Respiratory Conditions: Conditions like kennel cough or allergies can irritate the diaphragm, leading to hiccups.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, especially pain relievers or sedatives, may cause hiccups as a side effect.
- Injury or Trauma: Rarely, hiccups can stem from trauma to the chest or abdomen, affecting the diaphragm’s function.
Do Puppies Get Hiccups More Often?
Yes, puppies are often more prone to hiccups than adult dogs. Their rapid growth and playful nature can contribute to this. Puppies are naturally enthusiastic eaters and tend to gulp down food, which can lead to hiccups. While hiccups are usually nothing to worry about in puppies, it’s good to watch how often they occur. If they seem persistent or cause discomfort, consider consulting your veterinarian.
Understanding the Sound of Dog Hiccups
Dog hiccups can sound a bit different from ours. Here’s what you might hear:
- A short, sharp “hic” or “hup” sound that often comes in a rhythmic pattern.
- Occasionally, you might notice a slight jerk or twitch in your dog’s abdomen during hiccups.
- Sometimes, the sound may be softer or less noticeable.
How to Help Your Dog with Hiccups
As Katie Grzyb, DVM, described in her article: “Most hiccup episodes last only a few minutes. If they last longer, or your dog seems agitated by them, you can offer them room temperature water or water with a small amount of honey, maple syrup, or Karo® syrup. Adding these forms of sugar can be a happy distraction that will hopefully help calm your dog’s breathing.
Sometimes the swallowing reflex can interrupt the hiccups. You can try to massage your dog’s chest and throat to stimulate swallowing.
Encourage walking or light exercise to help change your dog’s breathing patterns. If your dog likes tummy rubs, you can place them on their back and give a loving belly rub to try to stop the hiccups.
Do not offer your dog food or water when they are lying on their back, as this can lead to aspiration of unwanted material into the lungs.
Do not give your dog large meals or solid meals during violent hiccups, as this can lead to choking and aspiration pneumonia.
If you have a puppy that’s prone to getting hiccups because they eat or drink too quickly, try to slow them down. Offer small amounts of water in frequent sessions. Also, offer small amounts of food and then wait a couple of minutes before offering more food so they swallow less air while eating. You can also try one of the many slow feeder options that are designed to slow down fast eaters.”
When to Consult a Veterinarian
Veterinarian Katie Grzyb, DVM, also stated: “Dog hiccups usually go away on their own. In rare cases, they can be a sign of a more serious medical problem such as:
- Asthma/respiratory issues
- Pneumonia
- Heart problems
- Heatstroke
- Foreign body ingestion
- Nausea and upset stomach
Take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible if:
- The hiccups last more than a few hours
- Your dog seems to be in pain
- Your dog is not eating or drinking
- Your dog is drooling excessively
- Your dog starts to vomit
- The hiccups change to a wheezing sound
- Your dog is having difficulty breathing”
How Can Pet Insurance Help You if Your Dog Needs a Treatment?
Pet insurance can be a valuable tool in managing the costs of treating a dog’s veterinary expenses. By having a pet insurance policy in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can provide medical care for your furry companion without worrying about the financial burden. Pet insurance can help cover the costs of veterinary consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, and even specialized treatments if required.
Reimbursement
This method is the most common for pet insurance companies. You pay out of pocket for the veterinarian bill, and then the insurance company reimburses you for what’s covered under the insurance plan. The steps look like this.
- You pay the vet bill after your dog’s visit.
- You fill out the pet insurance claim form.
- Submit the claim form and other required documentation to the insurer.
- After the claim is approved, you will be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
What Does Odie Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance covers various veterinary expenses, providing financial protection and peace of mind for pet owners. Here are the details of the coverage options offered by Odie Pet Insurance:
Illness & Injury Plan
The Illness & Injury Plan is an all-inclusive insurance plan designed to cover a wide range of medical needs for your pet. This plan includes comprehensive coverage for various illnesses, injuries, and veterinary services. Some of the covered items include:
- 24/7 Televet Chat
- Emergency vet visits
- Overnight hospital stays
- IV Fluids & Medications
- Medical Supplies
- Surgeries
- MRI/CAT Scans
- Rehabilitative Care
- Prescription Medications
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Laboratory Tests
Accident-Only Plan
The Accident-Only Plan is designed for pet owners seeking coverage specifically for accidents. This plan provides financial protection for emergency veterinary care resulting from accidental injuries. It includes 90% reimbursement up to $10,000 each year, with a $250 annual deductible.
Here’s an overview of the Accident-Only Plan:
- Coverage for broken bones, sprains, eye injuries, and traumatic dental fractures.
- Coverage for wounds, including bite wounds, lacerations, snake bites, and bee stings.
- Veterinary treatments covered for accidental injuries include X-rays & ultrasounds, laboratory tests, emergency care, hospitalization, CT scan & MRI, and surgery.
The Wellness Add-on Plan
The Wellness Plan is an add-on for routine care coverage you can purchase with an insurance policy. It focuses on preventive care and covers routine veterinary services. Odie has two wellness plan options available:
Basic Plan:
- Covers services such as spay/neuter and teeth cleaning, rabies vaccination, flea & tick prevention, heartworm prevention, vaccination/titer, wellness exam, heartworm test or FELV screen, blood, fecal, parasite exam, microchip, urinalysis or ERD, and deworming.
- Reimbursement up to $305 per year.
Plus Plan:
- Ideal for puppies and kittens.
- Covers services such as spay/neuter and teeth cleaning, rabies vaccination, flea & tick prevention, heartworm prevention, vaccination/titer, wellness exam, heartworm test or FELV screen, blood, fecal, parasite exam, microchip, urinalysis or ERD, and deworming.
- Reimbursement up to $535 per year.
