Reverse Sneezing
What is it and why do dogs do it?
Dogs are full of sounds. Some make us giggle while others fill us with concern, and today we are going to discuss one of the latter. Pet parents tend to find reverse sneezing odd and worrisome since it isn’t something humans or cats commonly do.
This odd occurrence can happen to any dog, though some may be more prone to reverse sneezing than others. So what is this noisy condition, and is it something you should be worried about? Let’s dive in and find out!
What is reverse sneezing?
Reverse sneezing goes by the scientific name paroxysmal respiration. This roughly translates to a sudden attack or spasm associated with breathing. While this may sound frightening, it is very similar to sneezing.
When you sneeze, you can hardly control it. This is especially true if you have a sneezing attack that is brought on by allergies or other irritants. Your body rapidly expels air through your nails passages as an automatic response to certain stimuli. The same thing happens with paroxysmal respiration in dogs, but it happens in reverse.
Instead of experiencing rapid forceful exhales, dogs can experience rapid forceful inhales. Much like sneezing, reverse sneezing can come on suddenly, it is an involuntary reflex, and it should last for less than a minute.
What does reverse sneezing sound like?
It is important to differentiate a reverse sneeze from respiratory distress because each pet may sound different. Since reverse sneezing sounds are generated by sucking air inward through the nasal cavities, it almost always produces a sound.
These sounds can be influenced by your dog’s nasal cavity shape, the intensity of their reverse sneezing, and a few other factors. With that in mind, a reverse sneeze can sound like anything from a snorting sound to a honk-like noise. This can also make it seem as if your dog has something caught in its throat or nasal passages.
You can differentiate reverse sneezing from other respiratory sounds because dogs often extend their neck and front legs while reverse sneezing. The episode will also be short, with a maximum sneezing time of around one minute. This also includes a rather rapid movement of the chest as air is forcefully inhaled.
You will also notice that your dog appears completely normal both before and after these reverse sneezing episodes. It is not uncommon for owners to be more shaken by this experience than their pets.
Why do dogs reverse sneeze?
Reverse sneezing is believed to be caused by a muscle spasm where the dog’s mouth meets its throat. The spasming of this muscle results in a narrowing of the dog’s trachea which makes it more difficult to inhale. As a result, inhaling requires more force and rapid breaths.
This can happen at any point in a dog’s life, and it can be a regular occurrence or a single event. The triggers of reverse sneezing are thought to be nasal irritants, like congestion, mites, smoke, intense scents, and allergens. It is also possible that this condition can be caused by or enhanced by an elongated soft pallet in some dogs.
Is reverse sneezing bad for my dog?
The action of reverse sneezing is not bad for your dog, it also should not be a painful experience for them. However, the triggers of reverse sneezing can be harmful to your pet.
Dog’s that experience reverse sneezing frequently are normally seen by a veterinarian to ensure there are no serious issues with their respiratory tract. This could lead to a reverse sneezing diagnosis and also uncover other issues, like seasonal allergies. Some dogs are treated with anti-inflammatory or decongestants if the veterinarian believes the trigger of their reverse sneezing to be impacting their quality of life.
Reverse sneezing may not be bad for your dog, but other conditions with similar sounds can be more concerning. Collapsing trachea is a condition where a dog’s windpipe collapses making it difficult for them to breathe. This condition can sound like a honk and somewhat like reverse sneezing, however, the dog will clearly be out of breath and in distress for a longer period of time.
Knowing the difference between your dog’s noisy breathing conditions is an important part of keeping them healthy and happy.
What dogs are most prone to reverse sneezing?
The truth is, any dog can experience reverse sneezing and it can be a single event or make a regular appearance. Most professionals believe that this condition is more commonly seen in brachycephalic dogs. Their super short snouts may be more sensitive to irritants than dogs with normal-length snouts.
Dogs that are prone to seasonal allergies may also be more prone to reverse sneezing since their bodies are more responsive to allergens. Regardless of why your dog reverse sneezes, you can rest easy knowing it is more of a canine quirk than a medical concern.