Snorting / Reverse Sneezing?
 

Yoda just started snorting a few days ago, like he has mucus, or phlegm, or something itchy in his throat. He's never had a problem with snorting before. I've read mmyorkie's excellent health site and he writes this about reverse sneezing:

REVERSE SNEEZING (Pharyngeal Gag Reflex*)--is a dramatic, rapid inhalation and exhalation of air through the nasopharynx. Dogs may do this when they have a mild irritation at the back of their throat. Often confused with seizuring or gasping for air, it is usually a harmless event.

Reverse sneezing isn't really a health problem, but something that dog owners should be aware of as it is very common in toy breeds. It is characterized by honking, hacking or a snorting sounds. It usually happens when a dog is excited or can sometimes happen after drinking, eating, running around, or while pulling on the leash. The dog will usually extend his/her neck while gasping inwards with a distinctive snorting sound, it is reverse sneezing.

Usually by gently rubbing the throat of your dog, the spasms will stop after they swallow a couple of times and that's the end of it. Other dogs respond well by taking them outside for some fresh air. Or you can plug the nose holes forcing the dog to breathe through her mouth and that will usually stop an episode as well.

Reverse sneezing is a harmless condition and medical attention is not necessary. It is important to not confuse reverse sneezing with a collapsing trachea.

http://yorkieviews.com/healthfacts.htm
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Do Yorkies just develop this out of the blue? Or will it perhaps go away? Yoda just snorts a bit to clear his nose/throat, and then he seems fine, but then it might come back 30 minutes or an hour later. I don't recall anything specific that may have happened to cause him to start snorting at all.

you know what fasteddie....... i just got toby and he started doing this too!!! it freaked me out, i asked my friend (who is a breeder) and he said KENNEL COUGH!!!! well i rushed toby to the vet and the doctor said he just has a cold! (but he doesnt have a temperature, just a little stuffy nose)..... after reading your post i am second guessing the vet! ( of course he still has the stuffy nose, but a cold would make the reverse sneeze more active right? ) He is doing exactly what you described....... next time i go in, i will have to have a talk with my vet.... or get another doctor to look at my baby from now on !

Lady and Jess do the reverse sneezing ALOT,especially when theyre exited or have been running around.
I just cover their nose (forcing them to breathe through their mouth) and its over within seconds..it used to really scare me before I knew what it was though.I used to think they had swallowed something and were choking:(

chelsie, about how often do they do this a day? toby did it 4 or five times in one day!, i dont know if this is normal for him to do it that much, but he is getting better, he has only done it once today :D

Bradley does it quite alot. He is always excited (loves to chase the cats). Kinda funny tho my mom will do a fake sneeze and Bradley will do it back to her...

Gypsy Rose also has this and some days it won't happen at all, other days about say 5 times. She has learnt now to come to me or Paul and we pinch her nostrils for a short time, sometimes we have to repeat this (she had a bout this morning about 20 mins ago actually!). I sometimes blow very gently up her little nose and this works too. Not sure if Gizzie may have it too but not sure yet. Does Yoda get panicky Dan? It is strange that they appear to start with it just out of the blue but if that's what it is with Yoda, it sounds a lot worse than it actually is! Gizzie has only done it since she came back from the "minders" whilst we went to Spain but she is 500% well in herself so I know she's ok! Dan, let us know what you find most helpful with Yoda? Ana xx

Pippin has has this since he was born and it has worried me for so long until I read this. We even had him X-rayed and thankfully he didn't have anything wrong with his throat or anything

Poor Yoda! Tell him we can do without that "nonsense"!! :) That's what I tell Toto if she begins to act a little unusual ... she's so healthy, it's unusual for her to be a little droopy! She occasionally does what you described and Dr. Lucy said she found nothing physical so I try not to let it frighten me. She makes a snorting sound all the time when she is running and playing! We just keep an eye out for any unusual things! Hope Yoda is OK! ;)

Chester used to do it a lot .. I have not noticed in a long while. chester would do this after he drank water or after coming in from outside walk. But he has not done it in a long time.. I guess keep an eye on it.. it is worring you call the vet an see what they say.

Heh, no Yoda doesn't really get panicky, he seems a bit better since last night, but still, it just sounds so weird. It could be some kind of sinus or cold maybe, like he's trying to clear his nose and throat. But since it came out of the blue, it shocked us that he just started to do it. Thanks for all the feedback, it's so reassuring to know I can get Yorkie feedback so quickly! :)

Maddie does it when she is excited or if there is a weather change. Like others she goes days without doing it the all of a sudden she might start. She looks at me like saying do something, so I rub her nose or take her outside to breath the fresh air. Yoda feel better soon...............Cindy