Dog Has Something Stuck in Throat: Signs and Remedies

If your dog has something stuck in the throat, it can become an emergency very quickly.

Some dogs will cough when something is stuck in their throat, others may vomit, and some can even have less obvious signs.

Knowing what to look for and how to help can save your beloved pup’s life.

What Is Esophageal Obstruction or Blockage in Dogs?

The esophagus is a long, narrow, muscular tube that connects the mouth and the stomach, and is the passage through which food travels. Problems can occur when pets eat things they shouldn’t.

Anything a dog swallows can become stuck in the esophagus, but typically items that get stuck are rough, irregularly shaped objects or things too large to pass through.

If you suspect your dog has something stuck in their throat, he should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately—especially if he appears short of breath, weak, has blue-gray gums, or is struggling to breath or breathing rapidly.

When an obstruction occurs, it can be full or partial.

• A full obstruction occurs when food or water cannot pass around the object to reach the stomach. Signs and symptoms are more obvious when the esophagus is completely blocked, as compared to a partial obstruction.

  • Dogs with a full obstruction will spit up food or water, but this may not occur until several hours after they have ingested the object.

• A partial obstruction occurs when a smaller object gets lodged in the esophagus, and some food and water is still able to pass the object and get to the stomach. 

  • Partial obstructions are still an emergency and can sometimes be more difficult to recognize. That’s because symptoms may not be as obvious as they are in dogs with a full or complete esophageal obstruction.

Signs Your Dog Has Something Stuck in Their Throat

Signs that your dog has something stuck in the throat include:

• Gulping or repeated attempts to swallow

• Gagging, retching, coughing

• Repeated attempts to vomit without being able to bring anything up 

• Decreased interest in eating and/or drinking 

• Smacking/licking the lips 

• Drooling (there may or may not be blood in the drool) 

• Pawing at the mouth or face 

• Vomiting or regurgitation (may be delayed several hours after eating) 

• Pacing/restlessness 

• Lethargy 

• Pain with movement, especially when moving the head and neck  

How Veterinarians Diagnose Esophageal Obstruction

Diagnosing esophageal obstructions in dogs usually involves taking X-rays of the entire chest/neck to look for the object in the throat. Some objects show up well on X-rays, while others can be more difficult to see.

If your veterinarian suspects an object is stuck in the esophagus but can’t see it on an X-ray, they may:

• Recommend using contrast dye and retake X-rays

• Snaking an endoscope down the esophagus

• Perform a CT scan of the neck/chest to evaluate the esophagus  

These tests will be used to determine the object’s location and whether there’s damage to the esophageal tissue in the surrounding area. 

It also allows your vet to determine if there are any defects in the esophagus that may allow air, fluid, and/or infection to build up in local tissues or to leak into the space around the lungs. 

Your veterinarian may also recommend additional diagnostics—like blood work—to evaluate your dog’s health.

Treatment of Esophageal Obstruction in Dogs

Treating esophageal obstructions in dogs depends on the type of object, its location, and how long the object has been stuck. Regardless of the method, general anesthesia is required.

There are a few different procedures your veterinarian might preform to help your dog.

For most esophageal obstructions, veterinarians typically prefer endoscopy, which uses a tube with a camera and other tools to maneuver a foreign object. It’s especially useful for sharp objects as well as helping the vet assess damage to plan further treatment.

A vet may try to use long forceps to grab the object or to gently push the object through the esophagus to the stomach in hopes it will pass in the stool.

If there are concerns it will not pass on its own safely, surgery may be performed to remove the object from the digestive system. Even with the object’s removal, the esophagus may need time and treatment to heal.

Damage can lead to inflammation (esophagitis). The longer an object is left stuck in the esophagus, the higher the chances of esophagitis developing.

In mild cases, a dog may be treated with antacids, gastrointestinal protectants, and pain medication for a few weeks, along with a bland, softened diet.

In more severe cases, scar tissue can form, resulting in a stricture, or narrowing of the esophagus.

If a stricture forms, a dog may experience future issues with difficulty swallowing and it may lead to a condition called megaesophagus. In some cases, a feeding tube may be used for two to three weeks.  

The cost to treat an esophageal foreign body varies greatly based on your location, the object that is stuck, how long the object has been stuck, and the method used to retrieve it:

• For objects that have been stuck for a short period and can be retrieved using forceps, cost can range between $500–$1,000.

• For objects that have been stuck for a short period of time and are retrieved using endoscopy, cost can range between $750–$1,500.

• For objects that have been stuck for a longer period, complicated cases, or cases that require surgery, cost can range between $1,500–$3,000.

Preventing Objects From Getting Stuck in Your Dog's Throat

To prevent objects from getting stuck in your dog’s throat, it’s important to consider the toys you buy for them. Additionally, think about objects around your home your pup might be inquisitive about and try to consume or chew. Place these items away and out of reach of your furry companion.

If your dog enjoys playing fetch with a ball, ensure the ball is large enough not to accidentally slide into the throat and get stuck.

Another prevention tip would be to look at all new toys to make sure there are no loose or easily removable parts that could accidentally (or purposely) be swallowed.

Most veterinarians agree that rawhide chews and those made from animal parts (such as bully sticks and bones) should never be fed to dogs. These chews are highly likely to cause a serious problem.

It’s important to always monitor your dog when they have chews and/or toys to avoid ingestion of something they shouldn’t. If there are children in your home, it’s important that they are taught what should not be left unattended to keep your pup safe.