You know what a regular sneeze is, right? If you’re a dog owner, you may have heard a reverse sneeze, too.
A reverse sneeze sounds a lot worse than it really is. The dog stands very still and extends his head, making honks or snorts and breathing quickly. He may turn his elbows outward, or otherwise stand awkwardly. It sounds like he may be choking, or have something stuck in his nose. Don’t worry — he doesn’t.
A reverse sneezing episode can last up to a minute, but isn’t a cause for alarm.
So why is it called a reverse sneeze? In a regular sneeze, air is rapidly pushed out through the nose. However, a reverse sneeze has nothing to do with a real sneeze! In a reverse sneeze, air is quickly pulled into the nose. Experts suspect that the cause of reverse sneezing is a spasm or irritation of the soft palate at the back of the roof of the mouth. Dust, pollen, and household chemicals are thought to be irritants that can cause reverse sneezing. Some dogs may launch into a reverse sneeze attack after eating, drinking, or pulling on the leash. Small dogs tend to be more prone to reverse sneezing than large ones, though I’ve caught my gigantic Moose dog reverse sneezing on more than one occasion.
Concerned? You don’t need to rush to the vet for an occasional bout of reverse sneezing. A gentle massage of the neck and throat area may help soothe your pet. Sometimes, all it takes is a breath of fresh air out in the yard to calm reverse sneezing. You may want to encourage your dog to swallow by taking a drink or touching her tongue gently.
However, if your dog experiences reverse sneezing frequently, you may want to head for the vet’s office. Viral infections, nasal mites, polyps, and soft palate tissue abnormalities can cause frequent reverse sneezing.