Collapse Trach or reverse sneezing?

[Luckyone]

what on earth is reverse sneezing?

[azkaty]

Reverse sneezing is similar to CT.. I wish some one would get a video of that too!

[candybaby]

This thread is very educational, have you found out for sure what he has yet?

[azkaty]

Originally Posted by candybaby

This thread is very educational, have you found out for sure what he has yet?

I am going to see if I can take the video to my vet today. I have been working so many hours, that I actually have to take days off to do this.

Maybe today..

[Wylie's Mom]

Interesting thread. Wylie does this occasionally, but not enough for concern. Marcel has started to do this - sometimes quite repeatedly and I can't get it to stop w/ any of the techniques, like I can w/ Wylie (and, AZKaty's Ralphie is sort of related to Marcel...hmmm).

Here is a link after doing a Youtube search on "reverse sneezing":
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search=Search

[Wylie's Mom]

Another good link - from a vet's example....

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/pets/blogpost/1377548/

[Wylie's Mom]

Here is a REALLY good link:

http://www.bostonlove.org/forums/showthread.php?p=80165

[Wylie's Mom]

This is the info from the last link, so we have it here permanently:

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 anepisode 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.

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)

[Wylie's Mom]

Reverse sneezing:
http://www.dropshots.com/videolink.p...58&showVideo=1


Vs. Airway distress w/ honking:
http://www.dropshots.com/videolink.p...58&showVideo=1

[Juliealfies mum]

Great thread with good videos.
Although I still cant make my mind up about Alfie...he seems to do this choking thing if he runs and gets out of breath ,he is due a visit to the vet so I will ask when I go.Sometimes I think its just the reverse sneezing and then other times when it is more prolonged it worries me more .I have asked the vet about it before, but like you said they want to see it when it happening and of course it never does when you are at the vets!!

[wemple2]

More wonderful information...I hope everyone can get a satisfactory answer, as to which one each of your dogs have..I do think it's very difficult to distinguish the difference. Hope everyones babies are fine, and that it's nothing to worry about. Prayers to ya!!!

[azkaty]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Interesting thread. Wylie does this occasionally, but not enough for concern. Marcel has started to do this - sometimes quite repeatedly and I can't get it to stop w/ any of the techniques, like I can w/ Wylie (and, AZKaty's Ralphie is sort of related to Marcel...hmmm).

Here is a link after doing a Youtube search on "reverse sneezing":
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...&search=Search

Hi Ann..good info. My vet was not available today...so we will try again tomorrow with video in hand. Still think its CT.
Maria (Bella0722) with her three-all related to Ralphie-has not mentioned any issues except the sensitive stomach issues that I have with Ralphie

[azkaty]

My camera would not play the video for my vet..as fate would have it, Ralphie had another event..it does get lightern in the end, so watch the whole video.

This is very typical of how long they go on for.

Comments everyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

video name

[PattyJae]

my Chloe has a collapsed trachea and she does not sound anything like Ralphie. (By the way, he is absolutely adorable.) With all the respitory problems my girl has, she never makes this sound. I have no idea what that could be.

[YorkieGuru]

my Elle has a collapsed trachea and hers sounds a little worse than that. She maily only does it when she gets excited. I have to settle her down and then she'll be allright. The vet and I first thought she had kennel cough, but after a few more vet visits they came to the conclusion it was CT. I think your is the reversed sneezing. All he is doing is just standing there with no movement and then making the noise. But thats just my opinion.