Breathing Changes in Dogs: Daisy’s Strange Breathing
When your dog looks like they’re having difficulty breathing or even choking, It’s a scary sight. In fact, actual difficulty breathing or choking is an emergency.
Daisy’s story
Daisy was a 7-year-old Bichon Frise. She’s been happy and healthy except for strange breathing episodes now and then. These episodes were short-lasting with no lasting effects. Daisy’s dad figured that something was irritating Daisy’s throat, an equivalent of a hair ball.
Yet, when they were visiting a veterinarian for Daisy’s regular wellness exam, he did think to mention it.
The veterinarian recommended capturing the episode on a video—it’s hard to diagnose something the patient didn’t demonstrate during the exam. There are many things that you cannot recreate at the veterinary office, and showing the veterinarian a video is always helpful. A video is much more effective than trying to describe or mimic the problem.
Whether it’s coughing, sneezing, minor fits, lameness or anything at all, a video often captures what’s going on in the clearest way possible.
Pete the Vet
Reverse sneezing
As soon as the veterinarian reviewed the video, it became clear that Daisy was reverse sneezing. As upsetting as it is to observe, reverse sneezing is typically a benign reaction to an irritation of the dog’s soft palate.
Daisy’s episodes happened several times a week, usually in the middle of the night.
Reverse sneezing is what it sounds like—a process that is reversed version of sneezing. While a sneeze involves explosive breathing out, reverse sneezing is explosively breathing in.
The problem is more common in small and brachycephalic breeds due to their shorter and narrower respiratory passages.
The most common triggers are environmental or household irritants. However, even a temperature change can trigger an episode.
However, respiratory infections can contribute and make the episodes worse.
Fortunately, Daisy didn’t have an infection.
Gentle rubbing her throat and keeping her calm was all she needed. Making a dog swallow can also be helpful.
More importantly, it is a good idea to take a closer look at what might be causing the irritation in the first place.
Source story:
Daisy, a 7-year-old Bichon Frise reverse sneezes
Related articles:
Reverse Sneezing in Dogs: Is My Dog Choking?
Further reading:
Reverse Sneeze in Dogs