Popping Sound when puppy uses voicebox? - Page 1

I know that I am a worry wart......If I am being overly concerned, let me know.

I noticed today that one of the puppies has an odd "popping"sound from his chest in front when he uses his voice box (barking, whining, any noise coming from the chest).  The sound was loud enough that I heard it from about 12 - 14 " away and I heard it over the puppy crying (we are starting on crate and separation training this week).  It sounds like someone popping their knuckles, only it is in the puppy's chest area.

Is this somewhat normal or could there be something wrong? 
Is it worth the time and expense to go to the vet that will likely want to do Xrays?
The near by vet that we see is ok.  I get the feeling though that "everything requires vet check and expensive exams."  Vet's specialty is pet surgery.

When he made the odd sound today, he threw up a couple of times; mostly undigested food (he just eat).  Problem is that the sound did not go away after he threw up.

When I watch the chest from the front, it seems to be moving very rapidly during breathing.  When watching from the side, there is no indications of labored breathing.

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Medical background on puppy (for the whole story):

Puppy is 5 weeks old.
He has been eating solid foods since 3 weeks.
I have started making the solid food more firm; as goal is to get them to eat dry food.
He is the smallest of the litter, but weight gain is good.
He has frequently had what the vet calls "acid reflux."  There has been no formal vet check though.  The puppy just some times throws up any thing he eats (including mom's milk).  This started during 2nd week.
1st puppy exam, the vet ran her finger along the roof of the puppy's mouth, looking for cleft pallet I guess and did not find anything wrong.

I'd get him checked for megaesophagus.

 Could he have been injured somehow? I've seen some come in who have injured their chest wall and it pops. I hope you figure it out.

I second AmiiGSD

Yes, I agree. You should have your puppy checked for megaesophagus. There is a simple x-ray that can be done at the vet (feed the puppy and meatball of canned food mixed with barium)- and take the picture IMMEDIATELY after eating!!! (before it hits the stomach). This will give you an accurate picture of the esophagus.
I hope that that is not what you are dealing with, but dogs with megaesophagus can go on to live rather normal lives, with just a few adjustments (elevated dishes, smaller meals instead of large ones, no consuming large amounts of water at a time, etc).
Good luck.

While I agree this could be mega, it could also be http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_multi_pneumonia_aspiration

get him into a vet for a through evaluation. Does he have any of these other symptoms listed in the link?

This is most likely Megaesophagus or whats called a right aortic arch (where the aorta of the heart grows over the esaphagus closing it off creating Meg-E type symptoms).  The popping you are hearing is most likely undigested food and water "gurggling" as the puppy breathes.  take him to the vet and ask for a barium Xray.  they will be able to see if food and water is making it through the esaphagus to the stomach. 

  Megaesophagus

Yr

 smaller pup idicates first red flag. I will pm you.

Thank you all...

No to the pneumonia.  I have already been that round with another puppy a few weeks ago. 
I do not think he has been injured.  He is showing no other signs.  There are 9 puppies though and they recently became little heathens (yes, you all warned me they would.  I still treasure each and every one [except when one really chomps down on my foot, the choice words come to mind]).

I will get him to the vet for the Xray.   I looked up Megaesophagus.  I so hope the puppy does not have this. 


Questions to breeders: 
If the puppy does have this, how do you recommend I approach any new owners? 
This is one of the puppies that is on the top 3 list for handicap service dogs from this litter.  Should I even consider him for this work  or  just present him as a pet only?
Do I need to be concerned that other puppies in the litter may have this?

 
Usually only one pup out of litter.. I pmed you .  I had one in 21 years of breeding.


yr