I know exactly what you are talking about. My golden retriever has had these episodes for years now. After three surgeries my vet advised me to crate him when I am not home. He still has the gulping and incessant licking occasionally but he is in a crate, without a pad, when he is alone. He won’t ingest anything (clothing, carpets, leashes etc.) when I am there.
He is on medications and has been for , at least, 5 years. It hasn’t gone away.
He has had every test and none of my vets can figure it out.
If you want to know the medications he is on, let me know.
Good luck!
