Food stuck in throat?

[Shanon001]

Nurkit, our 10 month old pet Grey Squirrel choked while eating a flower 2 nights ago. What concerns me is even though he is acting completely normal, he is having an occasional issue while eating. In general, he is eating normally but 1 out of every 10 bites or so, he stops eating and continues to chew and swallow over and over again. This is usually followed by a hacking/gagging type yawn (it seems like he is trying to dislodge something). His breathing is normal and he continues to eat.

Has anyone had the same kind of thing happen? I am debating a vet trip but would like to avoid it if possible as the poor little guy gets pretty traumatized by vet visits.

I appreciate any insight. Thanks!

[island rehabber]

Squirrels do hack a lot while they're eating, I've noticed :shakehead. Check his teeth. Sometimes uneven or overgrown teeth (malocclusion) will cause choking, head-rearing and odd motions while eating. If his teeth check out ok, he is probably fine unless he stops eating or really seems distressed.

[jbtartell]

Have you tried to hold him and gve him some water or maybe some watered down juice from the surenge just to try to flush what ever it is down? try apple juice but just a little.. or water it down but leave the taste..

[SammysMom]

Take a flashlight and open his mouth and look into the back to see if there is anything obviously stuck there.
Has the vet seen him before?

[Shanon001]

Thank you for all of the advice, I will give each option a try and see if anything changes.

Nurkit has been to see the vet in the past and wasn't a big fan of the experience. I can't say that I blame him. :)

[jbtartell]

PM me and let me know if the juice trick works..

[Shanon001]

Well, here we are 5 days since it started and hes still hacking.

He will start eating something like a Squirrel Block. and 30 seconds or so into it, he will stop eating, chew (with nothing in his mouth) and then hack/Yawn. occasionally he makes a squeaking sound with open mouth and tongue out.

other than that he is his normal happy healthy self.

I couldnt see anything with a flashlight in his throat. teeth are fine, juice-flush didnt work.

Am i being over paranoid?

[Nancy in New York]

Well, here we are 5 days since it started and hes still hacking.

He will start eating something like a Squirrel Block. and 30 seconds or so into it, he will stop eating, chew (with nothing in his mouth) and then hack/Yawn. occasionally he makes a squeaking sound with open mouth and tongue out.

other than that he is his normal happy healthy self.

I couldnt see anything with a flashlight in his throat. teeth are fine, juice-flush didnt work.

Am i being over paranoid?

Can you post a short video of this when it is occurring?
Did you look on the roof of his mouth?
How are his teeth?

[Jackie in Tampa]

I have seen this reaction a zillion times and then one day noticed it has stopped..
I worry too...
I suspect it is a splinter or similar and eventually it gets unstuck..
:dono
keep us in the loop...

[Shanon001]

http://youtu.be/DfV2gHPUL1g


here is a short video

[jbtartell]

its almost like he has is gag reflux going.. but seems to be eating and breathing well.. I would not worry unless it gets worse or just go to the vet to be safe.. may be a air or just a slither of something that will break loose.. but for now it is not afecting nutrition or breathing. so if you want to try to wit and see what happens he should be fine.. but if you are really worried go on to the vet.. and you saw nothing in his mouth?

[sage4dylan]

When Flip first started eating rodent block a week or so ago, he would do that. I think it is a gag. I am not sure why yours is doing it but it looks the way Flip does when he is gagging. Maybe he has a very sensitive gag reflex. If it only just started, did u change his block to a different kind recently or something? maybe it's something in it. Idk just suggestions.