Honking
 

Many dog owners have experienced their dog having what appears to be a "breathing attack".

It can be quite frightening to see for the first time.

Reverse sneezing is characterized by a series of forced inhalations, and snorting through the nostrils (gasping inwards).

It may last for a few seconds or up to 1 minute or more. These attacks often occur on a sporadic, unpredictable basis.

Dogs usually have the head extended forward and stand still during the attack.

There is no loss of consciousness or collapse.

Many Yorkies and other dogs have these attacks throughout their lives.

The exact cause of reverse sneezing is unknown, but it may be associated with sinusitis and other upper respiratory disorders.

Many believe affected dogs are consciously removing mucus from the nasal passages. In fact, many dogs swallow at the end of the attack.

Occasionally another possible cause is a foreign body lodged in the nostril or it could be an allergy to something causing/exacerbating the problem.

Whatever the cause, the condition is usually not serious.

If the condition appears suddenly in an older dog or if episodes become more severe or frequent, the nasal passages and throat should be examined by a vet.


Treatment

Treatment is not necessary when the episodes occur infrequently on a random basis.

Calming your Yorkshire Terrier during an attack may shorten the episode.

Worsening episodes may need to be treated medically.

Massaging the dog's throat gently may help

Consult your vet for advice if you are worried.


Watch for these Signs:

1. The severity or frequency of the reverse sneezing changes.
2. Your pet develops a discharge from the nose or a cough.
3. Your pet appears sick.

Remember though, you vet is the best person to help diagnose the problem and advise you on how to best manage it.

Thanks for the information. My Jewels does this when she gets too excited. There really isnt a whole lot of info on this out there.

My Codie does this. Sometimes it really worries me.

Sabrina does this. I have always picked her up, held her and just quietly said "breathe, Sabrina, just relax and breathe" real quiet and held her softly and it's over in a second. She seems to calm immediately when I start whispering to her and hold her. If I don't pick her up - it will last - seems like forever. It is scary sometimes, but her's hasn't gotten worse or more often.

Whenever anything like this happens, I always tell Muffie "Come, Mommy FIX.! She'll come to me and I'll rub her throat in an upwards motion. This has always seemed to help. Sometimes, I think it might be allergies or a tiny piece of whatever in her nostrils or throat.

Teddy had a little episode about two weeks ago it really scared me. I was worried that it was likea collapsed trachea or something :( I feel much better because this sounds like exactly what happened to him that day. thanks for the info =)

that also happens to lexi sometimes when she get excited to see me.
at least i know now what it is.. it does stop though. at first i was nervous, it scared the crap out of me..

OMG, thank you for clarifying this for me. Bounce does it occasionally & it scares me to death. I feel better knowing what it is!!!

Excellent post! Hallie does this when she gets excited and it scared me to pieces the first time (I took her to the vet b/c I'm crazy)! He told me all of that information too and it was so helpful to help me understand!

About 6 months ago I was worried about my Pippa shaking on occaisions, i took her to the vet who said he would put her on epileptic drugs as it sounded to him like epilepsy, after a couple of days these drugs made her do this strange honking.
She did it 10 - 12 times a day for about a week (the vet said she was attention seeking) I took her off the tablets and within a week this honking stopped. As for the shaking it turned out everytime my mobile phone was running out and beeped this made her shake (as does going to the vet). So i never let it run out anymore and we have no more shaking or honking!! By the way i have changed my vet!!