Reverse sneezing in Chihuahuas. Reverse sneezing, or paroxysmal breathing

If dogs could speak, it would be much easier for us, their owners, to take care of them, promptly recognize the symptoms of their diseases and treat them correctly. But dogs cannot speak, so we can only rely on our own intelligence and knowledge, which you can draw from our publications. So, if you got a dog (that is), take care of your self-education in the field of dog breeding.

Today we will talk about one frightening symptom that is very alarming to dog owners. About reverse sneezing (it’s hard to believe) and we’ll try to understand the causes of this phenomenon, the symptoms and how to help your pet during such an attack...

What is reverse sneezing

Reverse sneezing is known in veterinary medicine as reverse type of cough or paroxysmal breathing. It is difficult to describe in words what such an attack looks like, but we will still try. The dog begins to sneeze, but instead of the usual sneezing, it emits a quick series of convulsive breaths, which are accompanied by snoring and grunting. At the same time, the dog’s body tenses, it can stretch its neck, muscles in the area chest tense, the animal lies on its stomach or crouches to the ground with its front paws. She can also be observed profuse drooling. Many pet owners are afraid that during such an attack their dog will stop breathing. The attack itself can last from several seconds to several minutes, but on average it lasts a minute.

The owners do not observe any symptoms that could have preceded the attack, nor do they observe any residual effects after it - the dog’s breathing is restored as suddenly as it was disrupted.

Causes of reverse sneezing in dogs

Some veterinarians say that reverse sneezing in dogs develops as a result of overexcitement. nervous system or inhalation of strong aromas, exposure to Airways foreign objects However, there is no experimental evidence to support these theories. But there is a list of dog breeds in which such attacks are recorded most often.

It can also be assumed that attacks of reverse sneezing can be observed in dogs with anatomical defects in the structure of the nasopharynx and hypertrophy soft palate suffering from allergies and viral infections...

Breed predisposition to reverse sneezing in dogs

Beagles are one of the breeds prone to such attacks.

Despite the fact that representatives of any dog ​​breed, gender and age can suffer from attacks of reverse sneezing, experts still identify separate group those breeds whose representatives suffer from seizures most often. These are dogs of the Beagle, Pug, Chihuahua, and...

Should you contact a veterinarian if your dog has reverse sneezing?

One of the main questions is Should you contact a veterinarian if your dog is experiencing reverse sneezing attacks?. He gives no rest caring owners. And we will try to answer it as fully as possible. If the reverse sneezing attack is a one-time occurrence and does not recur, you can consult a veterinarian to evaluate general state your pet's health. Be sure to tell him about the isolated incident of seizure. If you don’t go to the veterinary clinic, nothing bad will happen, but there is always a risk of missing the beginning dangerous disease– for example, brachiocephalic syndrome. Therefore, you shouldn’t turn a blind eye.

IN mandatory, and not at will, you should contact a specialist if the frequency of attacks is several times a day, they become longer and are repeated more often, while all your attempts to help the dog (how - we will tell you a little later) do not give results. Most likely, in this case the dog already has concomitant disease, which, as a complication, causes reverse sneezing.

A reverse sneeze in dogs is a short, severe, and noisy breath, caused by a sudden spasm of the soft palate, as well as the larynx. Such attacks often bother animals after waking up or during walks.

Dog owners often turn to veterinary cardiologists because their pets are breathing abnormally, sometimes coughing strangely, and sneezing just as strangely. At such moments, as the owners explain, it seems as if the dog is choking or suffocating. When the attack passes, breathing is restored.

Doctors consider the reverse method of sneezing to be a reverse type of cough and also call it paroxysmal breathing. It's more like a dog gagging. She wants to sneeze, but instead takes several short and convulsive breaths, with grunts and sniffles. If during a normal sneeze the air is suddenly and sharply exhaled through the nostrils, then during the reverse sneezing it is instantly drawn in through the nasal passages. The spasm causes a narrowing of the airways, making it difficult for air to enter the lungs.

Reverse sneezing can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• the dog's head is thrown back (and not forward and down, as with normal sneezing);
• The mouth is open and, swallowing saliva, the dog wheezes and gags.

Everything happens noisily and lasts up to 60 seconds.

Causes of reverse sneezing

The causes of reverse sneezing as a physiological phenomenon have not been fully established, but episodes of paroxysmal breathing are believed to occur due to the following factors:

• sticking of the epiglottis and larynx;
• specific anatomy of the nasopharynx;
• the presence of hypertrophied tissues of the soft palate.

The following are identified as provoking factors:

• strong odors and dust, as well as cigarette smoke and pairs of household chemicals;
• allergenic substances;
• nervous excitement;
• haste while eating and drinking;
• tight collar.

Attention! In some cases, reverse sneezing can occur from a sudden temperature change, for example, when a dog enters a house from the street in winter.

Risk group

There are dog breeds with a predisposition to respiratory problems, including reverse sneezing. We are talking about animals with a brachycephalic head structure:

• Griffons and Pekingese;
• pugs and bulldogs;
• other breeds with characteristic shape skulls

These animals suffer from what is called brachiocephalic syndrome, a set of symptoms that are caused by physiologically significant narrowing of the nostrils and nasal passages, as well as an overly long or thick soft palate, coupled with irregular shape larynx and/or trachea.

On a note! The narrower the airways, the more the dog suffers. Against the background of reverse sneezing, wheezing, grunting and other breathing problems that occur constantly, hypoxia develops, which confirms the cyanosis of the oral mucosa. Brachiocephalic manifestations intensify with emotional stress, heat, significant physical activity, pain.

Contacting a veterinarian

Consultation with a doctor is required if your dog frequently sneezes in this manner. The reasons for this behavior may be the following diseases:

• hypertrophic growth of palatal tissue, which can be caused by tumor processes. This is especially true for older animals;
• , it is important to find out what causes it. Veterinarians believe that antihistamines are vital for such dogs. Increased sensitivity to allergens is manifested not only by sneezing, but also by other signs. This means that the whole body suffers. In addition, dogs with such a problem constitute a risk group for anaphylactic shock– a condition that develops suddenly and can cause sudden death. About allergic manifestations in dogs you can read below.

It happens that in addition to the opposite, regular sneezing and coughing are also observed. If this is accompanied heavy discharge from the nose, we can talk about an infectious lesion.

On a note! If during a sneezing attack the mucous membranes oral cavity turn blue or pale, and the animal faints; respiratory or heart failure is possible. Both are symptoms of dangerous diseases.

Visit to veterinary clinic will help you understand the causes of reverse sneezing and the accompanying symptoms. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics aims to find out the causes of paroxysmal breathing in an animal and differentiate (distinguish) the condition from ordinary coughing and sneezing. In some cases, the study reveals pet pathologies that the owner was not aware of. In the doctor's office, one can only guess how exactly a dog sneezes at home - classically or vice versa. Not every owner can describe the details correctly.

The doctor will first check to see if foreign body in the dog’s respiratory tract, and then, given that ordinary sneezing can be a sign of pathologies, will suggest examining the dog for certain ailments, such as:

A situation in which:

• Episodes of reverse sneezing occur in puppies or young animals. This may indicate the onset of bronchial asthma;
• The dog sneezes this way often. Especially if this happens repeatedly during the day, despite the fact that the surrounding air is no different pungent odor and does not contain mechanical particles that, after entering the respiratory tract, could cause spasm.

The likelihood of health problems in such pets is high, so it is recommended that they be fully examined.

Treatment Options

Depending on the dog's condition and the context in which the sneezing occurs, two types of treatment may be prescribed to the animal:

• conservative;
• surgical.

Conservative

Animals prone to allergies must be protected from contact with the source of problems. For example, when a pet reacts by sneezing (reverse and not only) to spraying hairspray, it is better to make the bathroom beautiful. In addition, the dog will need a course antihistamines. The name, dosage and duration of treatment are determined by the doctor.

At infectious pathologies The following medications are indicated:

• medications that help strengthen the immune system;
• antibacterial drugs, which are ideally selected depending on the type of pathogen. Alternatively, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed;
• antifungal medications;
• means of general strengthening action.

After eliminating the pathology-cause, attacks of reverse sneezing stop bothering the dog.

Animals with anatomical features skulls are most at risk respiratory disorders, which develop suddenly and can be very dangerous.

Table 1. Drugs for dogs with brachiocephalic syndrome

It is important to know! The listed drugs should be on hand in the form of ampoules with solutions for injection, since in in case of emergency It is important that the medicine enters the bloodstream as quickly as possible. In addition, a dog suffering from a choking attack is unlikely to be able to swallow the pill.

Surgical

If the problem is in the anatomy of the respiratory tract, it is solved surgically. Indications for surgery are usually manifestations of brachiocephalic syndrome, which contribute to hypoxia and therefore are life-threatening. In such cases, plastic surgery of the nostrils is performed, and, if necessary, velum, as well as laryngeal sacs. Everything happens as planned, after the swelling has been eliminated and the condition has stabilized. The intervention itself is not considered complex, but postoperative period dangerous respiratory failure if the swelling returns. To minimize risks, the animal is given a tracheostomy through which it will breathe for the first time after surgery.

How to relieve your pet's seizure

If an animal suffers from frequent attacks, he can be helped. This is done like this:

1. the dog is stroked on the neck in the larynx area. This stimulates swallowing movements, relaxes the throat muscles, and also allows you to restore normal breathing pet;
2. Gently cover the dog’s nostrils with your palm so that he begins to breathe through his mouth. After a deep breath, the attack will stop. If this does not happen, it is recommended to try again, while stroking the dog’s throat with the other hand.

As alternative options assistance, the following actions are also considered:

• grab the dog's nose and blow into the nostrils;
• give the animal water.

This is usually enough for the dog to calm down and breathe evenly.

You can see what happens to an animal during an attack of reverse sneezing and how to help it here:

Video - How to help a dog with reverse sneezing

Conclusion

Reverse sneezing occurs in healthy dogs, but rarely. When the problem bothers you periodically, the cause may be illness. To save the life and restore the health of your animal, it is necessary to examine and treat it.

Reverse sneezing syndrome, which occurs in dogs, is quite frightening for owners at first. Some people immediately turn to veterinarian, others, not seeing the dog’s condition worsening, simply observe and calm down. This phenomenon occurs in any dog, but more often in Chihuahua breeds, beagle, french bulldog, pug, toy terrier, yorkie.

Reverse sneezing looks like a series of quick, convulsive breaths accompanied by grunting sounds (such sounds can be made by a person when laughing). The dog may stretch its neck, tense its chest muscles, fall on its front paws, or lie down on its stomach. Such an attack does not last long (usually no more than a minute), and before and after it the dog behaves as usual. Reverse sneezing occurs without apparent reason, but can be provoked emotional excitement or strong odors.

The opinions of veterinarians are mixed. It was previously thought to be a disease of unknown cause. Now most experts consider reverse sneezing as paroxysmal breathing, which is not a pathology. This may be due to the structural features of the nasopharynx.

What to do if your dog has reverse sneezing

First, make sure that this is it. You can find a video of a dog with a reverse sneezing attack on the Internet and compare. You can record your video and show it to a veterinarian (here it is important to find a competent specialist). Please note: reverse sneezing has nothing to do with tracheal collapse, in which the main symptom is coughing.

Secondly, assess the intensity and impact on the general condition of the animal. If these episodes are not frequent, do not last long, and the dog feels normal before and after, then there is nothing to worry about. Increased attention require french bulldogs, Pekingese, pugs - their reverse sneezing can be confused with brachiocephalic syndrome.

When to consult a veterinarian

If you have any doubts that this is reverse sneezing.

If the attacks become noticeably more frequent over a period of time.

If, in addition to reverse sneezing, regular sneezing or coughing is also observed, there is more than normal nasal discharge.

If during an attack the dog turns blue, or pales, or loses consciousness, this may indicate respiratory or vascular insufficiency and it's dangerous.

How to stop a reverse sneezing attack

• Blow sharply into the dog's nose.
• Pinch the nostrils for a few seconds, then release so that the dog takes a deep breath.
• Pat your hand on your throat to stimulate the act of swallowing.
• Open your dog's mouth so he can breathe.

But even without any intervention, reverse sneezing quickly passes and does not harm the dog.

Reverse sneezing or "reverse sneezing syndrome"- this is a short-term (usually up to 1 minute), difficult, repeated noisy inhalation caused by a spasm of the soft palate and larynx as a result of their irritation.

With normal sneezing, air is quickly expelled through the nostrils; in the case of reverse sneezing, air is quickly inhaled through the nostrils, while making sounds similar to “snorting” or “grunting”; the problem is that at the time of spasm, the airways are narrowed , which causes difficulty in entering the lungs normal amount air.

Predisposition to reverse sneezing. This phenomenon is observed in dogs, very rarely in cats. Most often it affects brachiocephalic breeds (that is, with a short flat muzzle, for example, pugs, bulldogs, Brussels Griffons, Pekingese, etc.), since in anatomical structure they have excessive hyperplasia (overgrowth) and elongation of the soft palate and abnormal stenosis (narrowing) of the nostrils. It can also be observed in other breeds at any age. Reverse sneezing can occur periodically throughout the animal's life or be a one-time occurrence.

Clinical manifestation . During a spasm, the animal is usually motionless, often stretches its neck, is in a forced position with limbs widely spaced, with its mouth closed, intensively trying to inhale air, while emitting a characteristic “grunting” sound from the nasal sinuses, sharply raising the ribs.

Causes of reverse sneezing.

- Allergic reaction: may be caused by irritating odors, such as perfumes, aerosols, household chemicals and cleaning products, paints and varnishes, cigarette smoke.
- Inhalation of small foreign objects: dust, pollen, fungi, dust mites.
- Pathologies in the anatomical structure of organs involved in breathing, such as hyperplasia of the soft palate, stenosis of the nostrils, collapse of the trachea, the presence of a cleft palate.
- Sharp drop temperature environment
- Quick swallowing of food or water
- Emotional arousal, active physical exercise, the pressure exerted by the collar when pulling on the leash while walking, etc..

Diagnosis of reverse sneezing. To diagnose reverse sneezing, it is necessary differentiate it against coughs and sneezes caused by pathological processes in organism. Typically, attacks last a short time and go away on their own, without in any way affecting the deterioration of the animal’s general condition.

When necessary, contact a specialist. If reverse sneezing becomes chronic problem, then you need to contact a veterinarian to find out the cause of the occurrence. this phenomenon and, if possible, eliminating the causes of reverse sneezing.

Treatment of reverse sneezing in dogs. If attacks occur rarely and do not affect the general condition of the animal, then treatment for this phenomenon is not required. If attacks become more frequent, then it is necessary, if possible, to eliminate the cause that causes them. In case of an allergic reaction, the allergen is eliminated if possible and a course of antihistamines is prescribed. In case of infectious etiology, they provide specific treatment courses of immunomodulators and antibacterial drugs. Changes in organ structure may require surgery.

How to stop a reverse sneezing attack. Usually the attacks stop on their own, without any outside influences. To reduce the time of spasm, the following manipulations may be effective:

Lightly stroking the dog's throat.
-Close the nostrils, thereby forcing the animal to inhale through the mouth.
-Offer to drink water.

If attacks of reverse sneezing in a dog cause you concern, then the surgeons at the veterinary city clinic "VetState" will conduct full examination They will help you take control of reverse sneezing syndrome 7 days a week, 365 days a year, without holidays or weekends.
We are glad to see you from 10.00 to 21.00.
For more detailed information You can contact by multi-line phone

Reverse sneezing syndrome, which occurs in dogs, is quite frightening for owners at first. Some immediately contact a veterinarian, others, not seeing the dog’s condition worsening, simply observe and calm down. This phenomenon occurs in any dog, but more often in the Chihuahua, Beagle, French Bulldog, Pug, Toy Terrier, and Yorkie breeds.

Reverse sneezing looks like a series of quick, convulsive breaths accompanied by grunting sounds (such sounds can be made by a person when laughing). The dog may stretch its neck, tense its chest muscles, fall on its front paws, or lie down on its stomach. Such an attack does not last long (usually no more than a minute), and before and after it the dog behaves as usual. Reverse sneezing occurs for no apparent reason, but can be triggered by emotional excitement or strong odors.

The opinions of veterinarians are mixed. It was previously thought to be a disease of unknown cause. Now most experts consider reverse sneezing as paroxysmal breathing, which is not a pathology. This may be due to the structural features of the nasopharynx.

What to do if your dog has reverse sneezing

First, make sure that this is it. You can find a video of a dog with a reverse sneezing attack on the Internet and compare. You can record your video and show it to a veterinarian (here it is important to find a competent specialist). Please note: reverse sneezing has nothing to do with tracheal collapse, in which the main symptom is coughing.

Secondly, assess the intensity and impact on the general condition of the animal. If these episodes are not frequent, do not last long, and the dog feels normal before and after, then there is nothing to worry about. French bulldogs, Pekingese, and pugs require increased attention - their reverse sneezing can be confused with brachiocephalic syndrome.

When to consult a veterinarian

If you have any doubts that this is reverse sneezing.

If the attacks become noticeably more frequent over a period of time.

If, in addition to reverse sneezing, regular sneezing or coughing is also observed, there is more than normal nasal discharge.

If during an attack the dog turns blue, or turns pale, or loses consciousness, this may indicate respiratory or vascular failure and this is dangerous.

How to stop a reverse sneezing attack

• Blow sharply into the dog's nose.
• Pinch the nostrils for a few seconds, then release so that the dog takes a deep breath.
• Pat your hand on your throat to stimulate the act of swallowing.
• Open your dog's mouth so he can breathe.

But even without any intervention, reverse sneezing quickly passes and does not harm the dog.