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Reverse Sneezing In Dogs
Reverse sneezing in dogs
Ever caught your dog making honking noises or gasping for air? It can be pretty worrying at first, but the good news is that it’s often just something called a reverse sneeze, or, to give its medical name, ‘pharyngeal gag reflex’.
We know that it mainly affects certain kinds of dogs and those of a certain age. But is it dangerous for dogs? In most cases, no – but it’s good to know what it is and why it’s happening. So let’s break it down and explore what reverse sneezing is, why dogs do it, and when you might need to get some help.
What is reverse sneezing?
If you’ve noticed your dog occasionally making honking noises or gasping for air, it’s usually because something like dust or pollen has irritated the back of their throat or soft palate. These spasms typically go away quickly and are harmless.
Although seeing your dog reverse sneezing can be distressing when it’s happening, it’s generally harmless and passes within just a minute or two.
That said, if you do spot other symptoms at the same time, like nasal discharge or additional coughing, or it starts occurring regularly in an older dog, you should contact your vet. And if your dog seems genuinely unable to breathe, reach out to your vet sooner rather than later.
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Symptoms of reverse sneezing in dogs
When dogs get a viral infection, their immune system may struggle, and secondary bacterial infections can worsen the symptoms. Besides reverse sneezing and coughing, you might spot other signs like nasal discharge, decreased appetite, or lethargy.
You may also notice your dog displaying one or more of the following characteristics:
- Excessive sneezing
- Bad breath
- Honking noises
- Rubbing or pawing at the face
- Facial pain or swelling
- Lack of smelling ability
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Restlessness
- Bilateral nasal discharge
- Unilateral nasal discharge
- Open mouth breathing
- Labored breathing
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Loss of appetite
- Nose bleed
Causes of reverse sneezing in dogs
There are several reasons why you may be seeing your dog gasping for air. It can actually affect any type of dog, but it’s more common among smaller dogs, and those with long narrow nasal passages.
Dogs with flat faces, such as Boxers and Pugs are also prone to reverse sneezing, thanks to their anatomy. Meanwhile, dogs like Collies, Australian Shepherds and Greyhounds have elongated soft palates that occasionally get irritated, especially when they’re excited, which can then cause spasms.
If you’re wondering why your furry friend is suddenly showing signs of reverse sneezing, here are the top reasons:
Allergies
Dogs can experience allergies just like we do! These can happen to any breed at any age, and the symptoms are surprisingly familiar – think runny noses, watery eyes, coughing, or hacking.
The reverse sneezing might be triggered by irritants like dust, pollen, perfumes, smoke, or other airborne particles getting stuck in your dog’s nasal passages. If your pup has an allergic intolerance, their immune system may overreact, causing respiratory symptoms such as reverse sneezing, coughing, and sneezing.
You might also notice watery, itchy eyes, a runny nose, itchy skin, or excessive licking.
Rhinitis and Sinusitis
Rhinitis and sinusitis are closely related conditions that occur due to viral infections. Both refer to swelling; sinusitis of nasal passages, while rhinitis refers to swelling of the nose.
They are particularly common in dogs with long noses and skulls, like Collies, Australian Shepherds, Bulldogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Greyhounds, and others.
The most common culprits that cause rhinitis in your dog are canine distemper, adenovirus type 1 and 2, and parainfluenza.
Nasal Mites
Did you know that nasal mites – microscopic little creatures – can get into your dog’s nasal passages? While they don’t typically cause obvious symptoms, they might be behind reverse sneezing, coughing, or other respiratory issues every now and then.
And these pesky mites affect dogs of any breed, age, or sex. Unfortunately, they’re also highly contagious and can spread easily when dogs touch noses with an infected buddy.
Whether your pooch is prone to allergies or not, it’s good to be careful with their diet. There are so many choices on the market right now, so we’ve tried to help out. Check out our guide on choosing the best food for your dog, and pep up your pup’s diet!
Diagnosing and treating reverse sneezing in dogs
If your dog’s symptoms seem serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet, several tests might be needed to make sure there aren’t any hidden causes behind the behavior.
During the usual physical exam, the vet will carefully check your dog’s nasal passages, mouth, and throat to look for anything unusual.
Tests to determine the underlying cause
To get to the root of the issue, your vet might recommend a few tests. They’ll want to know how long the symptoms have been happening, how often they occur, and if your dog is on any medications.
One common test is a rhinoscopy. This involves using a speculum to take a closer look inside your dog’s nasal passages. It helps the vet spot things like mites, polyps, or tumors.
Sometimes, your vet may need to collect a sample from your dog’s nasal passages for a biopsy to rule out nasal cancer. Keep in mind, biopsies don’t always require full sedation – it depends on where the sample is taken, the procedure, and, of course, your dog’s temperament.
And don’t be surprised if your vet asks for a video of your dog’s reverse sneezing episodes. This can be super helpful in making an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of reverse sneezing in dogs
When it comes to treating reverse sneezing, it really depends on what’s causing it. Once your vet identifies the underlying issue, they’ll give you advice on how to manage your dog’s episodes at home.
If the sneezing is due to allergies or mites, your vet will focus on treating that condition to help reduce how often and how intensely the episodes happen. Allergies might be managed with antihistamines, and if your dog has polyps or growths, those may need to be removed to make it easier for them to breathe.
In cases where the reverse sneezing is idiopathic — meaning there’s no clear cause — treatment might not be necessary at all.
During an episode, you can help your dog out by redirecting the airflow through their mouth instead of the nasal passages, which are spasming. To do this, you need to gently cover your dog’s nostrils for a few seconds. This encourages them to breathe through their mouth and can help shorten the attack.
Preventing reverse sneezing
Even though reserve sneezing can be common in some dogs, and your dog may be perfectly healthy before and after his episode, there are some things you can do to prevent some of the health conditions that may be causing the problems.
Avoid allergens
If allergies are the culprit, your vet might recommend an antihistamine to alleviate symptoms. At home, you can give your dog a bath using hypoallergenic shampoos and do what you can to reduce airborne irritants, like dust, pollen, or smoke, to make their environment more comfortable.
Antihistamines and decongestants
If your dog’s reverse sneezing is linked to inflammation caused by a viral or bacterial infection, your vet might prescribe antihistamines or decongestants. These can help reduce swelling in the nasal passages, easing your pup’s symptoms and preventing chronic or acute inflammation.
Fresh air and exercise
Fresh air and regular exercise are always great for your dog’s overall health! However, to avoid nasal mites, try to prevent your pup from interacting too closely with stray or unknown dogs, as mites spread through nose-to-nose contact.Also, keep in mind that outdoor excitement, like pulling on the leash or heavy panting, can sometimes trigger a soft palate spasm, leading to those honking noises or gasps for air. If that happens, gently rub your dog’s throat and calm them down to help them recover quickly.
Finally, don’t panic! Reverse sneezing in dogs is unpleasant and discomforting for your dog, but is it dangerous? Most likely not.
Recovery of reverse sneezing in dogs
If your dog’s had surgery, your vet will give you detailed post-op care instructions. These might include medications or antibiotics to help them heal and prevent any infections after the operation.
Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to experience reverse sneezing than others. So if you have, for example, Boxers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, Collies, Australian Shepherds and Greyhounds, you should be particularly vigilant.
When you bring your furry friend home, there are a few simple things you can do to make their recovery smoother:
- Invest in a bowl designed to slow down their eating speed.
- Keep your home calm and relaxed to prevent them from getting too excited.
- Use a harness or halter lead during walks instead of a traditional collar to avoid putting strain on their throat.
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Gasping for Air/Reverse Sneezing Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Australian Shepherd
One Year
91 found this helpful
91 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
My dog had a few episodes of wheezing tonight. She was okay all night until she just started honking and having a hard time breathing. I tried to get her to gag to see if there was something blocking her passageway, but nothing happened. So i just held her to calm her down until she stopped wheezing a few moments later. Then this happened again, she would wheeze, i would hold her and pet her to calm her and she'd stop. Happened one more time, and this time i gave her some honey and she hasnt wheezed the rest of the night. Is this something i should be worried about?
Thank you for reading
Jan. 10, 2021
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
91 Recommendations
If the behaviour does not continue and she is acting normal with normal breathing, this may have been a reverse sneeze or it could be that e.g. dust irritated her airway.
If it recurs, she should see a vet to check her heart and lungs and establish what is going on.
Jan. 10, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labrador Retriever
One Year
25 found this helpful
25 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
My dog got neutered on 12/29 and had to stay overnight at the vet per their policy...they gave him a bordetella vaccine while he was there. On 1/1 his nose started running a lot (clear) and he started sneezing a lot and periodically reverse sneezing...it is still happening and it's been 6 days
Jan. 7, 2021
Answered by Dr. Maureen M. DVM
25 Recommendations
Hi,
Sorry about that.
Neutering can put a dog under some stress for a few days which can have an impact on their immunity. That said your dog may be exhibiting some mild symptoms from the vaccine that was adminstered which sometimes happens.
It could also be possible that he may have contracted a respiratory infection while at the kennels while boarding which also common.
I would advise you visit your vet for a better diagnosis and also possible treatment.
Good luck
Jan. 7, 2021
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