my female 7 year old has something that has baffled the vets. She nods her head up and down slowly (it's not involuntary action) and will stop if I call her but then go back to it. It happens after eating and sometime at night. She licks her lips at the same time. Vet put her on Zantac (it is the same for humans) as thought it might be acid reflux. Didn't help. Then had her bloods tested and absolutely fine. Shes now got some sickness tabs that I'm picking up on Monday. Has anyone else ever had this? I don't think it bothers her and is eating and drinking as totally normal. Would like others opinions Thank you!
Hello , and welcome . Has she always done this or is it a recent development ? Lick smacking can be a sign of anxiety in dog , so has something recently changed in the household, or her routine altered at all ? If your Vet isn't worried , and as her bloods are fine , maybe its just a habit she has gotten into , sorry I cant be more help
Strange. I wonder if it's what they call a 'tick' in humans? My son had one aged 10, he'd stretch his mouth in a funny grimace. The doctor told us to tell him every time he did it. It worked, the tick went away. So maybe distracting her is the right thing? But, yes, lip smaking is usually a sign of anxiety. Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's three years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab and she's nineteen weeks old.
You mention this happens after eating, you might want to try feeding from a height the same level as her chin, and see if this helps at all. Casper had some trauma around his throat, he is prone to reflux and has had some gut inflammation, so my husband made a special table for him.
I'm sorry I can't help you with any advice re the lip smacking,I just wanted to say hi and welcome and your avatar pic is very cute x
Did your Vet check her teeth? My old cat does something like that. She had two teeth out and then four more but she still does it sometimes and we think she still has some sore teeth and/or food is getting caught where teeth used to be. LOVE your avatar. Who is that on top?
When our previous lab got a bit older, he had difficulty swallowing his grub from a dish on the ground. He did make some odd head movements in an attempt to force food down. We devised a system where his dish was just below his neck height, so he could eat without his head/neck being aimed at the ground. The vet explained that as they get older the oesophagus (sp?) becomes more flexible (flabby) and swallowing can be a struggle from the 'head down' position. Raising the feeding bowl to almost head height makes things easier. It certainly worked for BJ. I can't remember exactly but I think he was around 8 when we changed his feed position. Your girl's problem may be something entirely different, as others have suggested, but just a thought. Best wishes for her.
Thank you for all your advice! I am going to try feeding her higher and see if that helps and also try the new tabs from the vet. I cannot really think of anything that has made her more stressful. She's such a lovely girl. Maybe it's me!
Welcome from Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. I just wanted to say Hi and that's the best avatar yet Hope you get something sorted out for your girl. xx
Just a suggestion but could she have got neck pain? My Pointer did some peculiar things when he had spinal problems in his neck.
Hello Well Dilly is now on Cerenia tabs for 3 days for sickness/motion sickness as normally used for. There is no change and she continues to bobb her head after eating and at night if she wakes up. The vet said we can try her on some other tabs for indegestion and then maybe a referal if all else fails. It is very confusing and she is very tired today so wonder if its the drugs. I hope she isnt in pain but think I would know if she was?
I feel your frustration , we don't like grey areas , we like answers , and I`m sorry you don't have any right now . Different medications can cause side effects which can differ dog to dog , maybe ask your Vet if its a common side effect of the Cerenia, for Dilly to be so tired ? Pain is a very difficult thing to gauge in dogs , some can be very stoical ,hiding it well whilst others are incredibly intolerant to pain , if in doubt, ask your Vet and I really hope you can soon get to the bottom of Dillys behaviour x
T I wonder if it's focal or absence seizures, otherwise known as petit mal epilepsy. Our daughter was diagnosed with this condition as a young child and had the same type of symptoms you describe. She "grew out" of this as she matured, which I believe is common. I don't know if the same symptoms in dogs suggests epilepsy, but it's just a thought.
Hi, Did you ever find out what was wrong with your dog, mine is doing the exact same thing. Nodding head, and sticking tongue out at the same time (not lip smacking and not seizures.) Vet checked his mouth under anaesthetic, removed 1 loose tooth, however he’s still doing it. Just like your dog, after food, nighttime etc. Much appreciate some insight, would be helpful. Thanks.
I have a spaniel that does this after eating. He will sometimes do it after every meal for up to a month, then not do it for ages. The vets have no idea.
Thanks for your post. My dog has not been himself, so with him doing this, I’m trying to get some insight into it, to relay ideas to vet. It’s obviously linked to him feeling unwell.
