One of the reasons I created this blog is to discuss a condition known as the "Gulpies." When Grace first started having these attacks, I had no idea what they were. When she was younger, she maybe had them a couple of times a year. However, when she turned eight, she started having them at least once a month, sometimes as many as three times a week. Some episodes lasted all through the night, leaving us distressed, exhausted, and feeling helpless.

I took her to two different veterinarians, but neither seemed to know what I was talking about when I described her symptoms. I spent hours researching online, trying to understand what was happening and how to help her. I am incredibly grateful to the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America, as it was their website that finally provided me with a name for these horrible attacks and some strategies to deal with them.

What Are the Gulpies?

The term "Gulpies" describes a distressing condition in which a dog repeatedly swallows and gulps. They may appear to be retching, coughing, or choking. It may be accompanied by lip licking and drooling. Affected dogs are typically restless, pacing, and appear uncomfortable. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with some dogs shaking all over and appearing panicked. Sometimes when Grace experiences an attack, she gets a wild-eyed look and trembles forcefully. She then tries to eat anything in sight, seemingly in an attempt to soothe herself or stop the attack.

Unfortunately, the Gulpies are common among Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.

Potential Causes

The exact cause of the Gulpies is not fully understood. Possible contributing factors include:

· Gastrointestinal issues or inflammatory bowel disease

· Food allergies

· Esophageal disorders (such as megaesophagus, where the esophagus becomes enlarged and loses its ability to move food efficiently to the stomach)

· Anxiety and stress

· Neurological conditions or seizures

When my girl Grace has an attack, I often feel as though something in her throat is stuck in the wrong position. Her frantic desire to eat whatever is available seems like an attempt to fix whatever is wrong with her esophagus or whatever internal part is not sitting correctly. Dr. Meryl P. Littman, VMD, DACVIM, suggests that "the signs are suggestive of a possible association with a transient abnormal positioning of the pharyngeal and laryngeal structures (soft palate and epiglottis)." The link to her full article is provided below.

Below is a list of treatment options. Please discuss these with your veterinarian before implementing any of them.

Treatment for Gulpies

Trying to solve the Gulpies dilemma has been more than challenging. After numerous tests, diet changes, medications, and other strategies, Grace and I are making some progress. I think switching to 4 meals a day is what made the biggest difference.

Here are the main interventions that seem to help:

1. Several, smaller meals: Increasing the number of times per day that you feed your dog can make a tremendous difference. I used to feed Grace once or twice a day, but now I feed her four times daily. This step alone has made a huge difference. I tried three times a day but she was still having the attacks. They would regularly last all night long.  Now we are down to occasional attacks that last minutes.

2. Low-fat diet: Reducing dietary fat also helps. I cook ground beef for her, thoroughly rinsing it with hot water after cooking to remove excess fat. I also boil chicken breasts after trimming off all fat.

3. Slow feeder bowls: Slowing her eating reduces air ingestion, which may reduce attacks.

4. Raised food stand: This prevents her from straining her neck downward while eating.

5. Mesh muzzle: Since Grace tries to eat anything in sight during an episode, I immediately put a mesh muzzle on her to prevent her from eating things she shouldn’t. She wears a medium-sized CILKUS Nylon Dog Muzzle Air Mesh, available on Amazon.

6. Antacids: Many Wheaten owners give their dogs famotidine (Pepcid) or omeprazole (Prilosec) in a spoonful of cottage cheese every morning.

7. Prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes: These support gut health, balance stomach acid, and improve digestion. They can make a big difference.

8. Bailey Chairs can be used to keep your dog in an upright position for 10 to 30 minutes after eating. This helps prevent most of the food and liquid from accumulating in the esophagus. They look like highchairs for dogs.

9. Avoid late-night feeding or add a later night feeding: Feeding too close to bedtime can increase the risk of acid reflux. Serving the last meal a few hours before sleep makes a difference for some dogs. Others find having some food in their stomachs at bed time reduces late night Gulpie attacks. Play with this and see which works better for your dog. I’m currently giving Grace about half a cup of kibble right before bed. This seems to work for her.

10. Managing anxiety: If stress is a factor, maintaining a calm environment can make a difference. Providing regular exercise, mental stimulation, and using calming supplements (such as CBD oil, chamomile, or sedating medication) can be beneficial.

Tips for Managing an Episode

Here is a list of things that some owners find helpful when a Wheaten is experiencing an attack:

· Give half to a whole organic rice cake, well crumbled, with honey and CBD oil or some sedating medication on it.

· Offer ice cubes or half a cup of frozen diced green beans.

· Give a large piece of iceberg lettuce.

· Massage their throat.

· Gently place your fingers over their nose for a moment.

· Carefully put your hand down their throat a little and try to help them burp up any air.

· Administer an antacid, gas reducer, or Benadryl (see list below).

· Muzzle or crate your dog (in an empty crate) to prevent them from eating inappropriate items.

Additional Strategies

· Try a hypoallergenic or elimination diet to rule out food sensitivities.

· Eliminate chew toys.

· Feed a whole-food diet and avoid processed foods.

·Consider antihistamines (Benadryl), anti-anxiety medications, or anticonvulsants.

·Use antacids and gas-reducing medications, such as Tums, Maalox, Pepto Bismol, Gas-X (simethicone), Gaviscon, or sucralfate.

· Slippery elm may help reduce throat irritation.

· Deglycyrrhized licorice is used to treat ulcers and reflux.

· Add apple cider vinegar to food to promote gut health.

· Increase insoluble fiber intake (e.g., broccoli) to aid digestion.

Diagnosing the Gulpies

Since the Gulpies is not a formal medical diagnosis, veterinarians typically conduct a series of tests to identify underlying causes, including:

1. Physical Examination: The vet will check for discomfort, bloating, or abnormalities in the throat and abdomen.

2. X-rays or Ultrasounds: Imaging can help detect issues like megaesophagus, bloat, or foreign objects in the digestive tract.

3. Barium Swallow Study: This involves feeding the dog a barium solution and taking X-rays to observe how it moves through the esophagus and stomach.

4. Endoscopy: A small camera is used to examine the esophagus and stomach for inflammation, blockages, or other abnormalities.

5. Blood Tests: These can help rule out infections, allergies, or metabolic disorders.

Final Thoughts

If your dog is suffering from the Gulpies, don’t try to manage it alone. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan tailored to your dog’s needs. Early intervention is key to preventing complications and improving your dog's quality of life.

Additional Resources

· The Gulpies – Dr. Meryl P. Littman, VMD, DACVIM: Read the article

· Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America – Gulpies, IBD, and Food Allergies: View the webinar

The Gulpies