Sneezing refers to the normal behavior of expelling air to remove matter through the nasal cavity. Reverse sneezing refers to the reflex of bringing air into the body to remove irritants in the upper area that lies behind the nose. Dogs may gag to remove irritants from the larynx; this is commonly misinterpreted as vomiting.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Sneezing is often accompanied by a sudden movement of the head downwards, with a closed mouth, and may cause the dog's nose to hit the ground. Reverse sneezing is often characterized by a backwards head motion, a closed mouth and lips sucking in. Gagging usually causes the dog to swallow after extending its neck and opening its mouth.

 

Causes

 

Any breed of dog can be affected by these medical behaviors. The most common causes for younger dogs include infections, the existence of a cleft palate, or bronchial infections. Another primary cause is the involuntary movement of the hairlike cilia that line the respiratory tract and act to remove foreign matter from the air before it reaches the lungs. This involuntary movement of the hair is medically termed ciliary dyskinesis. The most common causes for older dogs include nasal tumors and dental diseases. Other causes can be mucus irritation, inflammation, excess nasal dripping or secretion, pneumonia, chronic vomiting, and gastrointestinal disease. Under vaccinated or unvaccinated dogs are at a higher risk of developing infections, which may lead to consistent sneezing. Chronic dental disease can lead to both chronic sneezing and reverse sneezing. Mites found in the nasal cavities can also be a cause for any of these physical reflexes.

 

Diagnosis

 

The first method of diagnosis is to distinguish between sneezing and reverse sneezing in the dog. Next, if the condition is serious, more in depth testing may be performed to see if there is a more serious underlying medical condition.

 

Treatment

 

In most cases, if the mucus or foreign matter in the nasal passages is removed, these reflexes will stop. There are no particular drugs that will stop these reflexes. However, if these reflexes are the result of another medical condition, that particular medical condition can be treated. In many cases an antihistamine or a decongestant will effectively reduce the dog's involuntary reflexes.

 

Living and Management

 

Close contact with other animals should be avoided while your dog is being treated. For best results it is important to follow the entire course of treatment prescribed by your veterinarian.

stent

A device that can be implanted into a blood vessel to keep it from collapsing

bronc

A horse who has not been broken; a wild horse.

lung

The organ involved with respiration

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

nag

A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed

tumor

A mass of tissue with no real function; may be malignant or benign

kine

A term used to refer to cows or some type of cattle

mucus

A type of slime that is made up of certain salts, cells, or leukocytes

pneumonia

A condition of the lungs involving inflammation and congestion

inflammation

A type of swelling or pain that is the body’s way of warding off injury, pain, or illness

secretion

The oozing or liberation of oil or liquid from cells or glands of living things

larynx

The voice box; this is one part of the respiratory system

infect

To cause disease by introducing germs or fungus

gastrointestinal

The digestive tract containing the stomach and intestine

Related ArticlesHole in the Trachea in DogsPoisoning by Petroleum Products in DogsStertor and Stridor in DogsPus in the Chest Cavity of DogsDog FluBack to top

 

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Sneezing refers to the normal behavior of expelling air to remove matter through the nasal cavity. Reverse sneezing refers to the reflex of bringing air into the body to remove irritants in the upper area that lies behind the nose. Dogs may gag to remove irritants from the larynx; this is commonly misinterpreted as vomiting.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

Sneezing is often accompanied by a sudden movement of the head downwards, with a closed mouth, and may cause the dog's nose to hit the ground. Reverse sneezing is often characterized by a backwards head motion, a closed mouth and lips sucking in. Gagging usually causes the dog to swallow after extending its neck and opening its mouth.

 

Causes

 

Any breed of dog can be affected by these medical behaviors. The most common causes for younger dogs include infections, the existence of a cleft palate, or bronchial infections. Another primary cause is the involuntary movement of the hairlike cilia that line the respiratory tract and act to remove foreign matter from the air before it reaches the lungs. This involuntary movement of the hair is medically termed ciliary dyskinesis. The most common causes for older dogs include nasal tumors and dental diseases. Other causes can be mucus irritation, inflammation, excess nasal dripping or secretion, pneumonia, chronic vomiting, and gastrointestinal disease. Under vaccinated or unvaccinated dogs are at a higher risk of developing infections, which may lead to consistent sneezing. Chronic dental disease can lead to both chronic sneezing and reverse sneezing. Mites found in the nasal cavities can also be a cause for any of these physical reflexes.

 

Diagnosis

 

The first method of diagnosis is to distinguish between sneezing and reverse sneezing in the dog. Next, if the condition is serious, more in depth testing may be performed to see if there is a more serious underlying medical condition.

 

Treatment

 

In most cases, if the mucus or foreign matter in the nasal passages is removed, these reflexes will stop. There are no particular drugs that will stop these reflexes. However, if these reflexes are the result of another medical condition, that particular medical condition can be treated. In many cases an antihistamine or a decongestant will effectively reduce the dog's involuntary reflexes.

 

Living and Management

 

Close contact with other animals should be avoided while your dog is being treated. For best results it is important to follow the entire course of treatment prescribed by your veterinarian.

stent

A device that can be implanted into a blood vessel to keep it from collapsing

bronc

A horse who has not been broken; a wild horse.

lung

The organ involved with respiration

ion

An atom that has a positive or negative charge

nag

A type of horse that does not belong to a particular breed

tumor

A mass of tissue with no real function; may be malignant or benign

kine

A term used to refer to cows or some type of cattle

mucus

A type of slime that is made up of certain salts, cells, or leukocytes

pneumonia

A condition of the lungs involving inflammation and congestion

inflammation

A type of swelling or pain that is the body’s way of warding off injury, pain, or illness

secretion

The oozing or liberation of oil or liquid from cells or glands of living things

larynx

The voice box; this is one part of the respiratory system

infect

To cause disease by introducing germs or fungus

gastrointestinal

The digestive tract containing the stomach and intestine

Related ArticlesHole in the Trachea in DogsPoisoning by Petroleum Products in DogsStertor and Stridor in DogsPus in the Chest Cavity of DogsDog FluBack to top

 

registerforgot password?

 

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