Reverse Sneezing? Asthma? Help please

[bmorr]

Our pug Walter once every month or so has a breathing attack that can best be described as a sound you would make if you were trying to make a 'pig noise' with your mouth shut.

He cowers down or hides under a table and it's apparant it is rather uncomfortable as he goes through this 10 minute breathing attack.

I thought this might be a 'pug' thing but others have said their dog gets this too (some described a prolonged reverse sneeze).

Does anyone know what I am trying to describe here? I don't know what to do as he is going through it and feel helpless. I wonder what it is too.

Any comments on this would be greatly appreciated.

[lordgoliath]

Reverse sneezing....Bulldogs do this alot. I think since pugs have the same squashed face it may be common to them too.

The general consenus among Bullie owners is that it is much scarier sounding than it really is.

Goliath does this occasionally. We usually try two things:

1. Hard to explain but I use my thumb and forefinger to hold his nostrils open wider than normal. This will often stop the attack almost immeidately (I still hold for afew seconds after to make sure)>

2. Sit with him and talk soothingly to him unitl he calms down on his own.

After the attack is over, he is none the worse for wear.

I hope that helps!

James

[robinh]

I have a dachshund who does it too. Our vet told us to gently rub his throat chin to chest and very slightly side to side while talking to him gently to calm him. He still has the attacks, but if we can get to him in the beginning and do the stroking/talking, it seems to shorten the attacks considerably.

And I know that look the poor things get on their faces - total panic and helplessness.

[micki76]

My Toy Fox Terrier does this, too. I usually just soothe him and it goes away pretty quickly. Scary for me and him. :(

[KYS]

Rocky our male AKita, and Pepper our current Terrier
also reverse sneeze. Many years ago, we had a terrier
who reversed sneezed, and I was terrified the first
time I heard it. Took her to the vet,
and that's when I learned about reverse sneezing.
I believe Reverse Sneezing is a temporary spasm of the
throat muscles.
So as long as our dogs are perfectly normal before and after
their attacks I do not worry about it. :)

(Asthma/allergy is different, and a vet can give you medication to
treat if necessary.)