Reverse Sneezing in Dogs
Reverse sneezing is a fairly common event in dogs. It is also known as backwards sneezing or inspiratory paroxysmal respiration.
During a normal sneeze, air is pushed rapidly out through the nose. During a reverse sneeze, the dog repeatedly and rapidly pulls air in through the nose, producing a loud snorting or gasping sound.
An episode can look and sound alarming, but an occasional, short-lived reverse sneeze is usually harmless when the dog is completely normal before and afterwards.
What Happens During an Episode?
During a reverse-sneezing episode, a dog may:
- Stand still with the legs braced
- Extend the head and neck
- Make repeated rapid inhalations through the nose
- Produce loud snorting, gagging or honking sounds
- Appear temporarily distressed or startled
Most episodes last only a few seconds, although some may continue for up to approximately one minute. The dog generally returns to normal immediately afterwards.
What Causes Reverse Sneezing?
The precise cause cannot always be identified. An episode is usually thought to be triggered by irritation around the nose, sinuses, back of the throat or soft palate.
Possible Triggers
- Pollen, grass or dust
- Smoke, perfume, aerosols or strong cleaning products
- Nasal or throat secretions
- Allergies or inflammation
- Excitement
- Eating or drinking quickly
- Pulling against a collar
- Sudden changes in temperature
- A grass seed or other foreign material
- Nasal mites
- A mass within the nose or throat
- An elongated soft palate
In many dogs no underlying cause is discovered, and the episodes are described as idiopathic.
Which Dogs Are Affected?
Reverse sneezing can occur in dogs of any breed or size. Some short-faced dogs may be affected because of their upper-airway conformation or an elongated soft palate.
It has also been reported frequently in smaller dogs and in dogs with narrow or elongated nasal passages.
What Should You Do During an Episode?
Remain calm and move the dog away from any obvious irritant, such as smoke, perfume, cleaning spray or dust.
Allow the dog to stand quietly and breathe. Many episodes end without any intervention.
You may also try:
- Speaking calmly and reassuringly
- Gently stroking or massaging the throat
- Encouraging the dog to swallow by offering a small drink after the episode begins to settle
- Loosening pressure from a collar and using a harness in future if pulling triggers episodes
Do not place your fingers inside the dog’s mouth or throat. Do not force the dog to drink while it is struggling to breathe.
If possible, record a short video to show your veterinary surgeon. This can help distinguish reverse sneezing from coughing, choking or another respiratory problem.
When Should You Contact Your Vet?
Mention occasional episodes to your veterinary surgeon, especially if you are uncertain that the sound is reverse sneezing.
Arrange a veterinary examination if:
- The episodes are becoming more frequent or severe
- An episode lasts longer than usual
- The problem has started suddenly and repeatedly
- The dog has nasal discharge or a nosebleed
- The dog coughs between episodes
- The dog has difficulty eating or swallowing
- The dog appears lethargic or generally unwell
- The dog is losing weight
- The dog does not return completely to normal afterwards
Seek Urgent Veterinary Help If:
- The dog has continuing difficulty breathing
- The gums or tongue appear blue, grey or very pale
- The dog collapses, becomes weak or loses consciousness
- The dog appears to be choking
- There may be a grass seed or another object lodged in the nose or throat
- The dog is repeatedly gagging, distressed or unable to settle
Do not assume that every episode of snorting, gagging or noisy breathing is a harmless reverse sneeze.
Other Conditions Can Look Similar
Reverse sneezing may be confused with other respiratory or cardiac problems, including:
- Choking or a foreign body
- Tracheal collapse
- Kennel cough or another respiratory infection
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
- Asthma-like lower-airway disease
- Heart disease
- Fainting or seizure activity
A veterinary surgeon can listen to the heart and lungs and examine the mouth, throat and nose. If episodes are frequent or severe, further investigations may include X-rays, examination under sedation or rhinoscopy.
Treatment
Most dogs with occasional reverse sneezing do not require treatment.
If an underlying cause is suspected, treatment will depend upon the diagnosis. This might involve managing allergies, treating nasal mites, removing a foreign object or investigating a nasal mass. Dogs with a significantly elongated soft palate and other breathing problems may require specialist assessment and, in some cases, surgery.
What Is the Outlook?
The outlook is excellent for most dogs with occasional reverse sneezing. Many dogs experience repeat episodes throughout their lives without suffering any ill effects.
A change in frequency, severity or accompanying symptoms should always be discussed with a veterinary surgeon because it may indicate an underlying cause that requires treatment.
Further Information
Cornell University: Reverse Sneezing
This information is not intended to replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinary surgeon if episodes are frequent, worsening or accompanied by other symptoms. Continuing breathing difficulty, blue or pale gums, choking or collapse requires urgent veterinary attention.