Reverse Sneezing in Dogs

The jerky pulling-in of air often looks like an asthma attack or choking: but it's usually completely harmless. It's gone as fast as it came.

What is reverse sneezing?

Reverse sneezing (also called reverse coughing) is not a disease but a reflex: similar to a normal sneeze. With a normal sneeze, air is pushed out of the nose in a burst. Reverse sneezing is exactly the opposite: the dog noisily pulls air in through its nose.

It sounds like a brief snore or rattle. The dog takes on a tense posture and slightly raises its head. In rare cases, a short bout of vomiting follows. After that, everything is back to normal.

Which dogs are affected?

In principle, reverse sneezing can occur in any dog. It happens more often in smaller dogs: probably because of the shape and size of the windpipe and larynx. Short-headed breeds like Pugs or Bulldogs are especially prone to it.

Causes and triggers

Reverse sneezing occurs when the mucous membrane in the nose-and-throat area is irritated and contracts reflexively. Common triggers:

• Excitement during play, romping or greeting
• Eating or drinking too fast
• Pollen, dust or other allergens
• Strong smells or smoke
• Pulling on the collar

The reflex is harmless. But if it occurs constantly, a condition in the throat area can be behind it in rare cases.

What to do during an episode?

The most important rule: stay calm. Panic transfers to your dog and prolongs the episode. Reverse sneezing usually ends on its own after a few seconds, as soon as a swallowing reflex is triggered.

The following can help shorten the episode:

• Gently stroke the throat and larynx
• Briefly cover the nose: this triggers a swallowing reflex
• Offer a treat
• Carefully tap the front of the chest
• Lift the dog slightly by the front of its body

Reverse sneezing vs. choking fit

Telling them apart is crucial. With reverse sneezing, the dog stands still, stretches its neck and noisily pulls air in. The episode lasts 10 to 30 seconds, after which the dog behaves completely normally.

In a genuine choking fit (a foreign object in the windpipe), the dog rattles, becomes panicked, the gums turn bluish and it tries to cough frantically. That is an emergency: go to the vet immediately. With reverse sneezing, the gums stay pink and the dog seems unaffected after the episode.

When to see a vet?

Occasional reverse sneezing (a few times a week) does not require a vet visit. The threshold is daily or several-times-daily episodes. The vet then examines the nose-and-throat area for polyps, foreign objects or anatomical narrowings.

In short-headed breeds (Pug, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier), frequent reverse sneezing can be part of brachycephalic syndrome. In that case, it's worth checking whether the soft palate should be surgically shortened.

Prevention

Reverse sneezing can't be completely prevented, but you can reduce how often it happens:

• Use a harness instead of a collar: prevents pressure on the neck and larynx
• Avoid dusty rooms or air them out regularly
• During pollen season, wipe the paws and muzzle with a damp cloth after walks
• Serve food in a slow-feeder bowl so the dog eats more slowly

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