Hi All, My dog has had episodes of The Gulps over the last 3 years. The one, the only, thing that has work consistently to stop a gulping session for the boy is lactium.
If you haven't bumped into lactium, it's a milk protein that has strong stress-reducing properties without any side effects. From what I've read because it's strictly a milk product is extremely safe and can be given frequently. It's being used very successfully for dogs with anxiety problems and in people too for stress.
My guy gets two capsules at the start of an episode. Usually within 15 minutes he can relax and sleep - the episode is over. A couple of times I've given him a second dose an hour or so later if the gulps started up again. On one occasion - ok, I was very tired and it was 3 in the morning so forgive me if this seems extreme - a second dose hadn't been enough and I popped the boy 4 more. In 10 minutes he was completely relaxed and asleep.
Hope it's ok to mention a specific product on this discussion board 'cause here goes. You can get lactium from your vet. It's kinda expensive. However, it sells as Swanson's Women's Anti-Stress Formula for only a few dollars.
I've used the Swanson product for the past year and it's worked every time. Of course that doesn't mean it'll work for every dog every time or even my boy next time for sure but it may be worth looking into.View Thread