Dogs gag on small rubber balls and other objects that can lodge in the back of the throat. Bones that lodge sideways in the throat are another cause of gagging. The signs of a foreign body in the throat are sudden anxiety, pawing furiously at the mouth, drooling, gagging, and attempting to vomit.
Foreign bodies in the throat should be distinguished from objects in the larynx. Objects in the larynx cause coughing, choking, and respiratory distress.
Treatment: Soothe and quiet the dog. Proceed directly to the nearest veterinary clinic. If the dog is coughing and choking (or has fainted) the object has moved from the throat into the larynx and is blocking the airway. Administer emergency treatment for Choking.