MY PUP EVERY SINGLE NIGHT AT 3:30AM STARTS HACKING AND COUGHING UP PHELGM. ITS LIKE CLOCKWORK. I DONT KNOW WHY HE DOES IT - WE BROUGHT HIM TO THE VET B/C HE WAS THROWING UP HIS FOOD ALOT - THEY KEPT HIM AND THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE MEGAESPHOGAUS. WE TOOK HIM TO ANOTHER VET WHO SAID THE REASON HIS ESOPHOGAUS LOOKS ENLARGED IS PROBABLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE THROWING UP AND HACKING. SHE SAYS HE HAS AN UPPER RESPITORY INFECTION. HE IS ON ANTIBIOTICS - BUT STILL IS HACKING AT NIGHT. HE IS OKAY DURING THE DAY BUT ONCE HE GETS EXCITED HE STARTS HACKING - WE HAND FEED HIM BECAUSE HE EATS TOO FAST. I TRIED THE LEMON JUICE ONCE - I SHOULD TRY PUTTING IT IN HIS WATER - HOW MUCH DO YOU PUT IN THE WATER?

Not an expert by any means. But, lemon juice to avoid throwing up just water seems excessive to me. Although, I am not as infrequent as Jerry I bring lemon juice with me to the dog park and usually I give Winston some when we get home if he is still panting super super super hard. I usually fill his bowl with ice then squirt some lemon juice over it. I do this as more of a precaution because he gets himself so worked up at the dog park-hot and excited etc.

I did take him to the vet this past Friday. He had started vomiting on Wednesday evening through Friday, but only after drinking water. It came on pretty sudden and surprised me. But it also did coincide with nicer weather here in Chicago... humidity and temp was up.

The vet said that he does have an elongated soft palate and that he had a buildup of phlegm in the back of his throat that caused him to gag on the water. Food seems to make it down fine. His vomit also had phlegm in it.

The vet suggested lemon juice to clear it up and if it persists then we will explore surgery. The lemon juice works. He hasn't vomited after drinking when I give him a shot of lemon. But then last night...he drank regular water (no lemon squirt in throat - or lemon in water)...after his walk and vomited.

I guess my question is whether the lemon juice is a once in a while thing...or in some cases do people use it regularly?

I plan on calling my vet back tomorrow...just was wondering if anyone else has the same issue.

Thanks

Hi Tara,

You and I would appear to be on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as frequency of using Lemon Juice to cut through phlegm.

I've had Bulldogs for just under 25 years and have duitfully had a Real Lemon Squeeze bottle available either in my ice box at home or in the cooler when on the road with the dogs.

I have NEVER use it. It is/was my understanding that it was for an emergency - I have never reached that point, and mine are out in heat and cold year 'round.

Again, I'm not suggesting that you are wrong, but I am suggesting that I have a different understanding.

In any event, have you discussed this with your Vet? I've never heard of a situation where a dog can't routinely drink without vomiting....

Jerry Sheldon

I have a golden that when she was a pup would throw up after drinking water. I didn't catch your bully's age, but it was a stage she went through. She would get excited and drink A LOT and then puke. The vet said to give 1/4 cup at a time. That worked. She grew out of it. She doesn't do it anymore...unless the water is really cold or if she comes in from playing and drinks a ton...I have to stop her and say that's enough..and allow her to go back later to have some more after it's settled. Try giving him room temp water and try 1/4 cup at a time. Just a suggestion that worked for my dog.

Rachel