Why Gasping for Air/Reverse Sneezing Occurs in Dogs
There are a few reasons why your dog may be experiencing episodes of gasping for air. Allergens can affect your dog causing respiratory gasps and honks as the mouth and throat go into a spasm. More severe cases may be from viral infections that cause rhinitis. Nasal mites, which are a microscopic mite may irritate your dog’s nasal passage and also cause the spasms that lead to gasping for air.
Reverse sneezing can affect any type of dog but is more commonly seen in smaller dogs and dogs with long narrow nasal passages. Dogs with flat faces, such as Boxer and Pugs are also prone to reverse sneezing. Flat-faced dogs have elongated soft palates that occasionally get irritated, especially when excited, causing spasms.
Allergies
Dust, pollen, perfumes, smoke, and other airborne particles may settle in your dog’s nasal passages and cause irritation and possibly inflammation. Intolerance to an allergen can cause your dog’s immune system to overreact and manifest respiratory symptoms such as reverse sneezing, coughing, and sneezing in addition to having watery, itchy eyes, a runny nose, itchy skin, and excessive licking. Allergies can affect any breed and any age.
Rhinitis and Sinusitis
Rhinitis and sinusitis can occur when the mucous membranes of your dog’s nose and sinuses become inflamed due to a viral infection. The most common culprits causing rhinitis in your dog are canine distemper, adenovirus type 1 and 2, and parainfluenza. A viral infection will lower your dog’s ability to fight disease, and a secondary bacterial infection most often accompanies the viral infection, further aggravating your dog’s symptoms. In addition to reverse sneezing and coughing, you may notice your dog has bad breath, opens his mouth to breathe or has labored panting, and rubs or paws at his face.
Nasal Mites
Nasal mites are microscopic mites that can live in a dog’s nasal passage. The infection does not usually cause any noticeable symptoms, but occasionally your dog may experience coughing, reverse sneezing, or other respiratory symptoms. Nasal mites are easily transmitted by touching nose to nose with an infected dog. A nasal mite infection can affect any type of dog at any age.
What to do if your Dog is Gasping for Air/Reverse Sneezing
If your dog starts breathing rapidly through the nose followed by a snorting or gasping sound, he is possibly experiencing a reverse sneeze. Once the reverse sneeze spasm subsides, your dog will be back to normal; however, if your dog is experiencing multiple episodes, you will want to observe any accompanying signs and consult with your veterinarian.
In most cases, reverse sneezing does not require medical treatment. If your dog is experiencing an episode, you can raise his head slightly and gently stroke his throat to help calm the spasms. If your dog’s reverse sneezing is allergy-related, your veterinarian may suggest administering an antihistamine. You should also bathe your dog with hypoallergenic shampoos and try to keep the dust down inside your home. Though plants can also be the cause of allergy-related reverse sneezing, fresh, cool air is also recommended when your dog is experiencing an episode.
When gasping for air is accompanied by other symptoms or behaviors or becomes chronic, you will want to consult with your veterinarian to determine the cause of the issue. Your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination and determine the cause, be it a viral or bacterial infection or possibly nasal mites.
If your dog is diagnosed with nasal mites, you will need to keep him away from other dogs and follow strict instructions provided by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will also administer medications to help rid your dog of nasal mites.
· Usually, dogs extend their neck as they gasp with loud and strong grunting sound. They are likely to turn their elbows out and their eyes may even stick out during the occurrence. · Since the trachea becomes narrow, it’s even harder for dogs to get a sufficient amount of air into their lungs. As a result, their chest might expand as they try to inhale. · During the episode, most owners would think their pooch is suffocating, choking, or even suffering from a seizure. · Each occurrence of reverse sneezing only lasts for just a couple of minutes or less. The episode normally ends on its own without posing any threat to your dog’s health.
· Others. You can also try to cover your pooch’s nostrils to help him swallow; clearing out whatever trigger is setting off the episode. In addition, if the occurrence doesn’t windup quickly, try depressing Fido’s tongue to open his mouth and help air to move through his nasal passages.
· Massage. Another way to treat reverse sneezing is through massage. To help stop the spams, just rub Fido’s throat gently.
If episodes of reverse sneezing become more frequent or severe, or are accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to have your vet examine your dog’s throat and nasal passages. Whenever possible, try to record a video of your dog during a reverse sneezing episode to show to your veterinarian. This will help him/her determine if the event is truly a “reverse sneeze” or if it is something that needs attention.
While reverse sneezing is harmless in and of itself, it will probably be scary for your dog. Comfort and soothe him during the event and remain calm, knowing that it will soon be over.
What is a canine reverse sneeze?
Reverse sneezing (Pharyngeal Gag Reflex) is a sudden, rapid and extreme forceful inhalation of air through the nose causing the dog to make repeated snorting noises, which may sound like he is choking.
It sounds like the dog is trying to inhale a sneeze, and it is therefore known as reverse sneezing.
Reverse sneezing is often caused by irritation of the palate/laryngeal area. It causes a spasm in the muscles of the pharynx. Reverse sneezing is characterized by honking, hacking or snorting sounds (gasping inwards). It primarily occurs when the dog is excited, but it can also happen after drinking, eating, running, or pulling on the leash.
A typical episode lasts only a few seconds, but some dogs may experience this for a few minutes and usually several times a day. Most of the time you can stop the spasm by gently massaging the throat of your dog, or briefly closing its nostrils until the dog swallows.
In some cases reverse sneezing is caused by foreign bodies in the nasal passage (grass blades), irritation from allergies or irritants (pollens, smoke, perfumes), or even tooth root infections. In those cases you should always consult a vet.
If the dog is having repeated attacks of reverse sneezing, your vet may prescribe antihistamines to see if that helps stop the sneezing.
When reverse sneezing occurs right after the nose-inoculation against kennel-cough, it would be advisable to give the dog some antibiotics.
Most dogs that have infrequent episodes of reverse sneezing, can lead a perfectly normal life, cause reverse sneezing is a harmless condition and medical treatment is not necessary.
Although, it is important not to confuse reverse sneezing with a collapsing trachea or a heart problem. In case of doubt, it is important to have the dog examined by your veterinarian.