The reverse sneeze in dogs

This phenomenon, as curious as it may seem to you, is quite common in dogs and even sometimes in cats. In fact, many dog owners have observed it in their four-legged companions without knowing what it was. For a person who does not know that the reverse sneeze exists, its manifestation can be frightening because he does not understand very well what is happening to his dog and could even think that he is drowning. Is reverse sneezing dangerous in dogs? How and why does it manifest? How can I help my dog if he suffers from reverse sneezing? All this, we tell you in this Gublog post.

How and why does the reverse sneeze manifest itself?

Although the "classic" sneeze consists of a strong exhalation of air (passes from the inside to the outside of the body) through the respiratory tract, the reverse sneeze, as its name suggests, is the opposite process. Instead of going out, the air enters the body with force through large inhalations, followed and in many cases compulsive. Reverse sneezing can occur in all dogs, but certain breeds are more prone to it, as is the case with brachycephalics (boxers, pugs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, etc.). Among these breeds, the smaller ones are more affected, as they have a smaller trachea and throat.

As a picture is worth a thousand words, so that you can see with your own eyes what a reverse sneeze looks like and thus know if your dog has also manifested it at some time , we leave you here a video of a French bulldog in full attack.

When a reverse sneeze occurs, it is because the dog has a spasm in the throat and soft palate and begins to suck in air. Aside from the noise, the physical posture dogs adopt when they have reverse sneezes is pretty amazing. They tend to stand with elbows apart, head down, and back extended. Reverse sneezes can be caused by many very different reasons , from an allergen such as pollen, dust or mites, to a strong emotion, a sudden awakening, excessive physical exercise or a necklace that is too tight. If our dog suffers many reverse sneezes, it is convenient to identify what is the element that causes it to avoid it as much as possible.

Is reverse sneezing dangerous in dogs?

As impressive as it may be, we have to remember that barring complications, the reverse sneeze is not dangerous. It is something natural in dogs and we have to leave them alone, not overwhelm us (much less overwhelm them) and stay close in case they need our help. But normally everything should be fine.

How to help my dog suffering from reverse sneezing?

The classic reaction to a reverse sneezing attack in our dog is to think that he is choking, has an asthma attack or something more serious and we become very alert . Dogs are used to having reverse sneezes, it is something intrinsic to their species, like classic sneezes or yawning for us. Can you imagine if every time you give a simple sneeze or yawn, all the people around you looked at you with a concerned face or pounced on you to try to help you? Surely it would be even more overwhelming than the sneezing or yawning itself. So the best course of action may be to ignore our dog right now ., so as not to communicate our nervousness to him (as much as they tell us that it is the most normal thing in the world, it always impresses) and to watch from afar that things do not get worse.

It is perfectly understandable that some people cannot resist and feel the need to approach their dog to try to help him. In this case, you can try to gently massage the throat from the outside to help the dog relax. Another option is to place a hand on the snout and gently plug the nose to close the air intake. It will trigger a saliva swallowing reflex that can stop the spasm.

In which cases should I consult a veterinarian?

It is a great classic in emergency veterinary consultations. Owners in full panic attack take their dog for a reverse sneeze because he's so bulky and they don't really know what's going on. In reality, episodes of reverse sneezing are very short, usually lasting between a few seconds and a few minutes. So short that when they arrive at the consultation it is already over. If you suspect that your dog has unusual reverse sneezing , what you can do is record a video when it is happening and show it to your vet at the next visit, to make sure everything is going well.

What could be worrying is if your dog has reverse sneezes so often or frequently that they affect their quality of life . In this case, you can go to the vet to help you find the trigger and thus a solution. What may sometimes seem like a simple reverse sneeze could be caused by a foreign body in the airway, infection, polyps, or tumors, and it's best to check with your vet to rule out these causes.

Does the reverse sneeze occur in other species?

Although the reverse sneeze is found mostly in dogs, some cats can have it . Less common and harmless in cats, if it occurs in very close episodes, it can be a justified cause for a visit to the veterinarian.