Why does my dog sound like she has hiccups only when falling asleep?

Hello. Hiccups are the result of a spasm in the diaphragm. It can occur from various maladies including heartworm disease, stimulation of the phrenic nerve & cancer ( very unlikely in such a young dog ). This may also be a case of Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter, also known as Thumps. I would talk with your veterinarian to see if an EKG & blood work is needed. Otherwise, some of these dogs will respond to a tapering dose of Prednisone, &/or an oral calcium tablet. Sometimes, it just eventually goes away by itself. Just to make sure, have your vet take a look at things. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm and can occur from excitement, eating or drinking too fast (swallows air), stress or fatigue. If Axie is eating and drinking and NOT retching or vomiting I would think he should be fine. Also be sure he can rest comfortably and his belly isn't swollen. If he won't eat or is vomiting or retching you should contact the owners and take him to a Vet. If all else is fine maybe check in on him an lunch. Good luck!

There are some very rare disease that can cause difficulty swallowing that might also cause a hiccup noise, and they can be very difficult to diagnose. If the abnormal swallowing gets worse you may want to ask about referral to a specialist. There is not any specific treatment for hiccups.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This sounds very strange and I wouldn't say it is normal. Possible causes are extreme tiredness, but at almost 12 weeks of age that is strange too. The fact you had to pour water on her face to wake her up isn't normal. I would worry about a seizure, a liver shunt or low blood sugar. If she isn't eating well and/or is having vomit or diarrhea and isn't as active as she has been she should be seen by a Vet. If this occurs again try to video tape it and take her the vet. I wish Peach the best!

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about this event with Cooper. A couple of thoughts come to mind about what this may be, but it's going to be difficult to give you a very specific answer on something like this. My first thought is an acid reflux event causing hiccups or hiccuping like motions, and this self resolved for now. Acid reflux can also be associated with lip smacking, obsessive licking, teeth grinding, or vomiting. I believe a seizure is another possibility. Seizures can range from quite dramatic to very mild in regards to muscle spasming and consciousness. Sometimes seizures occur only once in life. Seizures can occur secondary to internal disease, such as kidney or liver dysfunction, or due to brain disease, such as epilepsy or a brain tumor. A soft tissue injury or muscle spasming due to playing hard earlier in the day may cause this type of behavior. Almost any type of pain could present in a similar manner. I would recommend keeping a close eye on Cooper for the next several days. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have him get a physical exam and baseline bloodwork to ensure he doesn't have any major problems. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck to you and Cooper.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am not very concerned about hiccups in general. Even though she may swallow some air, it is not likely to be enough- and to last long enough, to cause problems. Of course, if you see any signs that concern you, (vomiting or dry heaving, lethargy, etc) head straight back to your emergency vet. Best wishes to you and Emma and I hope she is on he way to recovery soon!

Hi there. What you're describing sounds like it might be hiccups, which are common and normal in puppies. But I can't say for sure without seeing him. I would recommend getting some video of him doing it, and showing it to your regular veterinarian at his next visit - he/she should be able to tell you if it's normal, or something to be concerned about.