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Puppy scooting, hiccuping, retching: What's wrong after vet check?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | 3 months and 15 days old | 3 lbs

Puppy experiencing scooting after stooling, hiccups, had retching in previous days (possibly due to empty stomach, unknown) fecal came back negative when given first check up and negative again yesterday. Vet said he felt and looked normal other than those symptoms. In your opinion, what’s you best guess as to what he could have? (Vet can’t be reached for more questions because she is a relief vet)

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Stephanie Echols, DVM

Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 8th, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Scooting can be a sign of a few things. The first would be tapeworms. I know the stool check was negative but these parasites are hard to pick up during that test. When they try to come out of the colon they can be itchy and cause the pup to scoot. The second problem is full or impacted anal glands. Not common in puppies, but the sacs inside the rectum will fill and it express normally when the puppy defecates. The last possibility is just using the scoot as a means to wipe the but if it's dirty after defecating. For all of these I would recommend a dewormer from the vet for tapeworms, have the vet check the anal glands for issues, and have a groomer trim the hairs around the rectum if the pup has long fur.

As for hiccups, all puppies have hiccups and as long as there are no medical problems, it is not concerning and will go away when Oliver gets older.

The retching is not normal. An empty stomach could cause this. But it could also eat too fast, be sensitive to the dog food, have an esophagus problem, or have a foreign body. For now I would feed Oliver 3 times a day. If the retching continues, I recommend an X-ray of his chest and abdomen to rule out esophagus or GI problems.

I hope this clarifies things! Good luck and kisses to Oliver!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 8th, 2017

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The scooting could be due to tapeworms. These parasites are hard to find in a stool check and causes itching/scooting when they try to come out. Hiccuping is very common in puppies. They ingest a lot of air- no treatment required and it will get better as he ages. The retching could be due to the parasites, the hiccups or something else. I would recommend splitting his meals into 3 meals a day and see if that helps. Pick up a tapeworm dewormer from your vet and if the retching continues I would recommend an X-ray of his chest to look at the size of his esophagus and an X-ray of his belly to look for foreign bodies. Good luck and kisses to Oliver!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Vet Q & A
Why is my dog retching like a hairball but acting completely normal?
Hi and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is good to hear Oliver has been normal otherwise despite this new cough/retch you describe. Sometimes in smaller breed dogs, they can have a collapsing trachea that sounds that retching and may mimic a goose honk. I would have Oliver checked out by his veterinarian soon to determine if this is a collapsing trachea or another something else (such as kennel cough). If it is a collapsing trachea, it can be managed medically or if severe enough, surgical correction is also possible I hope this helps and I wish you and Oliver the best!
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Why is my puppy crying, scooting, and having painful liquid poop?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Teddy! First I recommend checking the skin and hair around his anus. See if there is fur and poop matted there and see if the skin is red and inflammed. If there is matted fur wash him. If he isn't matted or the skin is red I recommend he see your Vet today. They can address the skin and check to see if his anal glands need to be emptied. Full or impacted anal glands can cause scooting. Causesof diarrhea in puppies: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, food sensitivity or toxin ingestion. Bring a stool sample to your appointment. After the exam they may prescribe an antibiotic and/or a probiotic. If his skin is irriated they may prescribe a topical to apply. I hope this helps. Good luck and I hope Teddy is back to himself soon!
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My dog is scooting, puking, and foaming. What's wrong with her now?
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Why is my dog's stomach gurgling, not eating, and butt scooting?
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My puppy scoots, has tear stains, and paws his face. Is he healthy?
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