paroxysmal respiration (aka “reverse sneezing”)
Inspiratory paroxysmal respiration is a rapid and forceful inhalation of air through the nose (hence a ‘reverse sneeze’). The loud and repeated snorting sounds made by the dog during one of these episodes can often startle the uninitiated (including the dog). But despite appearances, reverse sneezing is usually harmless.
Please note:
During a reverse sneeze, the dog should NOT look like he’s choking. Please read the ‘Symptoms’ section carefully so that you can easily recognize an episode of paroxysmal respiration. If you’re worried that your dog may be suffering from a respiratory ailment, or if you feel that something’s wrong, please refer to the ‘When to worry’ section for further details.
Symptoms:
Paroxysmal respiration is common in smaller dogs, and certain breeds (like Bostons) are predisposed to it.
Here is Tyson demonstrating a reverse sneeze:
These episodes (also referred to as “pharyngeal spasms”) usually start at an early age and persist throughout the life of the dog. They tend to occur on a sporadic and random basis, and their frequency can vary greatly from one individual to another. Nonetheless, it’s rare for these episodes to occur more than twice a day.
Each episode can last anywhere from several seconds to almost 2 minutes! During this time, it might seem like the dog is struggling to breathe. He tends to stand still and repeatedly extends his neck forward, as he labouriously inhales air through his nostrils. In the process, he makes a series of loud snorts, gasps and honks.
The loud snorts, coupled with the dog’s appearance, can make these episodes seem quite scary. Fortunately however, reverse sneezing is a lot less stressful for the dog, than for the panicked-stricken human watching him.
These “attacks,” typically stop on their own within 20 seconds, but even when they last longer, there’s no risk of collapse or loss of consciousness. Furthermore, once the episode is over, the dog will appear completely normal.
Cause:
Some believe that reverse sneezing primarily occurs when the dog is excited, or when he’s drinking, eating, running, playing or pulling on the leash. But these episodes can occur almost at anytime the dog is awake.
It’s often difficult to find an exact cause for paroxysmal respiration. There are a number of theories involving abnormalities or deformities in the soft palate. It’s also believed that the condition can be exasperated by allergies, post-nasal drip or anything else that could irritate the soft palate/laryngeal area.
It’s possible that a reverse sneeze is simply a reflexive response or spasm triggered when some debris, pollen or other irritant gets caught under the palate. Others however, believe that a reverse sneeze is a dog’s attempt to consciously remove mucus form his nasal passages. In fact, it’s been noted that dogs often swallow at the end of an episode (it’s also been noted that a dog can use swallowing to purposely end a reverse sneezing episode).
Short-nosed breeds (Brachycephalic breeds) like Boston Terriers tend to have an elongated palate (among other conditions grouped under ‘brachycephalic respiratory syndrome’). It’s possible that this abnormality could make them prone to reverse sneezing, but it doesn’t explain why some dogs exhibit paroxysmal respiration even when no identifiable cause can be found.
Despite a lack consensus among experts regarding the exact cause of paroxysmal respiration, it’s been observed that certain factors can exasperate, trigger or increase the frequency of reverse sneezing “attacks.” For example:
• stress (caused by being in a new environment, the arrival of a new dog, separation, etc.)
• allergies (dust, pollen, weed, etc.)
• irritants (smoke, cleaning products, perfumes, etc.)
• sinus infections
• tooth infections
• polyps
• nasal mites
• excessive soft palate tissue
• and presence of other respiratory disorders
Remedies:
Reverse sneezing is a harmless condition. As long as the episodes occur infrequently and randomly, then medical treatment is not necessary. If a dog is suffering from frequent attacks however, antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce the symptoms.
A reverse sneezing episode will end fairly quickly on its own, but if you wish to help your dog recover more quickly, then you may want to try one of the home remedies cited by veterinarians and breeders.
• Gently rubbing and massaging the upper neck / throat / pharyngeal region is a common suggestion. This has a calming effect and it may also encourage the dog to swallow (getting a dog to swallow is itself an effective way to cut short a reverse sneezing episode).
• Talking to them in a calm and reassuring tone is helpful and recommended.
• Some people have reported some success with gently blowing on the dog’s nose. This seems to startle the dog, but in some cases, it could encourage him to lick his nose and swallow.
• Placing a finger or palm over the dog's nostrils for a few seconds, in order to force him to inhale through his mouth as opposed to his nose, could also work. It is recommended however, that you ask your vet to demonstrate this technique for you before you perform it on your own.
When to worry
Paroxysmal respiration is usually harmless, and as long as the episodes occur infrequently and randomly, then there’s no cause for concern. So when should you worry?
• If the condition appears suddenly in an older dog
• If the episodes become more severe (louder, more intense, longer) or more frequent
• If a pattern starts to emerge. For example: the dog has an episode almost every time he goes for a walk
• If a nasal discharge or a cough is present.
• If the episode produces more of a ‘honking’ sound as opposed to a snorting sound, or if the dog coughs before or after an episode (could be a collapsing trachea)
• If a reverse sneezing episode occurs shortly after a kennel cough inoculation (could be an infection)
• If a there’s an increase in salivation, inflammation around the mouth or a nasal discharge is present (could be a tooth infection).
Conditions that you may wish to discuss with your veterinarian:
• Allergies (episodes become more frequent, or a pattern starts to emerge)
• Infection (nasal discharge, cough)
• Heart problem (coughing, presence of a heart murmur, increased frequency of episodes)
• Collapsing Trachea (produces a honking cough, symptoms resemble a reverse sneeze, tends to get worse with time)
• Elongated soft-palate or more generally, Brachycephalic Respiratory Syndrome
• Epiglottal entrapment (symptoms may resemble a reverse sneeze)
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This is an article I wrote in my spare time over the past 2 weeks. Hope it helps!
I'd like to thank Jennifer and Tyson for providing the video.
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PS. Tyson has no had one sense then YAY!
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