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My German Shepherd is yelping in pain when swallowing. What can I do?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 65 lbs
my German Shepard is having trouble swallowing anything(even her own saliva), she yelps with each swallow, she has had arthritis before in her hind legs so for a few days now she hasn't gotten up to eat, I've been bringing her the food to her bed but today she just has pain swallowing... the vet around me is closed until next week. I don't know what to do, Help???
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 25th, 2017
So sorry that Babe is not feeling well. There is nothing we can tell you to do at home to help this situation. You need to get her to a vet ASAP for an exam. Are there no emergency vets in your area?
You need to have a diagnosis of why she is having problems swallowing before we can give you any information on how to help her.
Some options are:
1. myasthenia gravis
2. hypothyroidism
3. megaesophagus
4. autoimmune disorder
5. foreign body
Of course there are many other rule-outs too.
My suggestion for right now is to NOT offer her any food as if she can't swallow properly she may end up aspirating some food into her trachea and down into her lungs. That can cause pneumonia which would be very serious. Dogs can go days without eating so I don't think that will harm her that much.
She does need water though so offer her only small sips of water at a time, again, so she doesn't aspirate. Get her to a vet ASAP. She sounds very sick and since she is in pain it would be best to get her some relief. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
You need to have a diagnosis of why she is having problems swallowing before we can give you any information on how to help her.
Some options are:
1. myasthenia gravis
2. hypothyroidism
3. megaesophagus
4. autoimmune disorder
5. foreign body
Of course there are many other rule-outs too.
My suggestion for right now is to NOT offer her any food as if she can't swallow properly she may end up aspirating some food into her trachea and down into her lungs. That can cause pneumonia which would be very serious. Dogs can go days without eating so I don't think that will harm her that much.
She does need water though so offer her only small sips of water at a time, again, so she doesn't aspirate. Get her to a vet ASAP. She sounds very sick and since she is in pain it would be best to get her some relief. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful