staffy gagging and fainting

hi all,
Firstly im going to take my dog to the vet to get checked out but just wanted to ask if anyone has had this problem with there staffy. My staffy is a very well socialized dog and when is playing around with other dogs turns into a energizer and runs like crazey. She gets that excited she gags and throws up so i dont feed her if i know shes going out to play otherwise she will throw up. Because theres no food it normally is just white stuff,i figured she only does it when playing just gets over excited.Well today she was out playing and gaged a few times and when i seen her gag she fainted backwards on the ground her legs moved abit not sure if it was a seizure but came out of it ok, she is ok now.is this common in staffies being over excited and over doing it?

It's always advisable not to feed too close to exercise anyway but no this isn't something I've seen happen, like you say best to take her to the vets, hope it goes ok, let us know x

Not something I have experienced, though Vinnie does get vey excited and pants very heavily, never had the fainting.
Definitely a professional opinion to be on the safe side. 

Not something ive seen or heard of either, definitely best to get it checked out. Hope she is okay, let us know how it goes xx

Not something I've heard of either, hopefully the vet can shed some light on it, let us know how you get on

Does your staffy have a particularly short muzzle or upper jaw? Staffies are brachycephalic, meaning that their airways are short compared to something like a labrador or spaniel.

Cases can range from very mild to severe, but very often cause things like coughing, shortness or breath and vomiting after exercise. It could be that the shortness or breath is causing him to become light headed, though mild cases often lly only create these symptoms when it's hot or humid.

A vet will be able to tell you if that's the problem. If it turns out that this is what's wrong it can be fixed, so try not to worry too much!

thanks guys,,i have been reading up on this and the closest fitting description sounds like collapsing trachea .because when i think about it that's when she seems to pull on her collar the most to get to the dogs because being so excited,and other times when walking she doesn't pull so shes not feeling the pressure in her througt.But the vet will oviously tell me if she has.

Would be best to get her checked over by the vet for a professional opinion anyway. I would not like to surmise what the cause is here.

Please let us know how you get on with the vet and the outcome.

I think if it was a collapsing trachea it wouldn't just be when she pulls. She'd have trouble with swallowing while eating/drinking.

My first thought, due to the coughing & the link with exercise, would be a slight heart problem. If that's the case then it can probably be contained with carefull exercise control & maybe medication if it gets problematic.

I would think that the vet will first of all listen to his heart & if he detects a murmur he'll give you advice on how to deal with it. It isn't the end of the world, and many, many dogs live long & happy lives with heart problems! Having said that, it may be nothing at all, and just a one-off due to the heat. 

Glad to hear that you are taking Marlee to get checked over by the vet.

Do let us know what the vet advises - big  s to you both

i went to the vets today and thank god she is ok no heart problems......   . the vet said because of the way staffy trachea is being why thye snore etc, shes getting to excited and and get short of breath and in this case fainted.so managing this we have to either stop her from playing with other dogs or stop her and make her rest and calm her down more often while playing,which is what i am going to try and see what happens.thanks everyone for your opinions and kindness.

That's great news that its nothing serious, and it sounds manageable glad everything is well

Fab news that its not too serious a problem, at least you know now to control it. I must admit I worry about Vin when he plays with other dogs as his breathing becomes quite worrying. Am going to do some calming times with him so to avoid potential fainting. xx

Glad it isn't too serious. Lots of trainign to be done on your part now!

Glad to hear it isn't anything serious!

That's such good news Carmen - thank you for letting us know.

although Kuchar hasn't fainted (thank heavens, it must be so frightening) he does get short of breath when he gets excited, like playing with other dogs, and pants like an old man (other dog owners have remarked it, they say he sounds like a steam train) and often has to have a little lie down in the middle of a play. And it has worried me because he is only young.

I never thought that Staffie's noses were particularly short, yes shorter than my previous Dobermanns', but in proportion to their size and certainly not as short as a Cavalier or Pug, for example.

Eleanor points out "Staffies are brachycephalic, meaning that their airways are short compared to something like a labrador or spaniel " which is something that I had overlooked previously. But it does make sense when you remember why the breed was developed in the early days - to hang onto their target (whatever it was) and a shorter nose would help them to hang on longer without running out of breath.

Really glad it's nothing serious  

Really good to hear she's just fine without any serious illness, hope she just outgrow it and wouldn't happen soon so she would able to play and get socialized.

Pleased you know what it is now and how to manage it , thanks for keeping us updated

 Glad its nothing serious

yes i am so glad nothing serious,always a learning curve when owning a dog.

marlee staff wrote:yes i am so glad nothing serious,always a learning curve when owning a dog.

It most definitely is, we as mummy's & daddy's love then so much it's hard not to panic, glad things have worked out marlee is beautiful.