Pup Hiccups
By Dr. Rob Spooner
Q: I’ve recently adopted a 12-week-old puppy from the local shelter. I’ve noticed he gets the hiccups a lot. Is this something to be worried about?
–Concerned New Parent
A: In four years of veterinary school, none of my professors ever mentioned hiccups in puppies. In fifteen years of practice, I can safely state that puppies get hiccups. Period. They happen spontaneously. They happen when the puppy is awake, asleep, eating, playing, and pooping; and they normally go away as quickly.
Reviewing information I found in my texts and on the Internet, I came up with very little as far as an explanation goes. Your puppy may have several episodes daily. As long as they go away quickly and don’t cause your puppy any concern, they should not concern you. If they persist, it could be an indication of stomach irritation. Checking a fecal sample for parasites or changing the diet might be advisable. Contact your veterinarian for more information.
In the meantime, if the hiccups don’t upset your puppy, enjoy them for their entertainment value. They usually grow out of them as they mature.