Reverse sneezing

[frogmarch]

I don't know what it really is, or how to describe it well. When my niece's little Boston Terrier does it, it sound like snore spasms. I've been taking care of little Abby for a month while my niece is trying to find an apartment where pets are allowed.

Anyway, Abby sometimes has these spasms a couple times a day. This morning she was in distress because she couldn't stop. I called my dog's vet, who said to check to make sure Abby's tongue and mouth were pink, not bluish or purple, which would mean she wasn't getting enough air. Abby's tongue and mouth were pink.

The vet asked me to bring Abby to see her, which I did, but by the time we arrived, the spasms had stopped. The vet found nothing amiss when she examined her.

The vet said reverse sneezing may be caused from the hanging down thingy in the back of the throat sticking in a backward position, and that gentle throat massaging may free it, as may water. So when another spasm happened a little while ago, I took a medicine dropper and managed to put a drop or two of water just inside Abby's lower lip. She swallowed the tiny bit of water, and immediately the spasms stopped.

These spasms scare me. I've read they're common with Boston Terriers and do no harm, but they still freak me out.

Anyone here have other remedies or suggestions?

Thanks!

[phylny]

1. This happens sometimes with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

When it does, I take her nose and pull it down toward her chest (hold her muzzle from the top and bend downward). This seems to open up her throat enough for her to stop.

Good luck with the pup.

[frogmarch]

2. Thank you! I will

try that too.

I appreciate it!

[lukasahero]

3. Our Bella gets them too

We rub her throat and it does seem to work. Calms her down, too.

Hadn't heard about the water before. I might get a dropper and keep it handy to try.

They worry me, too, but I guess it's really no big deal.

[frogmarch]

4. And I'll try

rubbing Abby's throat to see if it works for her as it does with your Bella.

It's good to have a few different ways to stop the spasms.

I hope water works for Bella too. :-)

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. My pekes get these, too. I either rub their throats or

cover their nostrils. Either one causes them to swallow and that seems to stop it. The water must work on the same principle.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Sounds like the problems common in brachycephalic dogs - our Shih-tzu gets such spells, too.

[Lisa0825]

7. I have one cat who does the reverse sneeze every day.

When he gets the occasional URI, he reverse sneezes a lot. I call it a dyslexic sneeze.

[DainBramaged]

8. The amazing Murray P Cakes does it often

he has terrible allergies, he gets a Claritin every day

[murielm99]

9. Murray looks like he doesn't have a care in the world.

What a cutie.

[a la izquierda]

10. My chihuahua gets them and I just took him to the vet.

The gist of what he told me was that in tiny breeds, and short faced breeds at that, the nasal passages are so tiny and sometimes they narrow a bit too much. My little guy was put on benadryl for congestion that he picked up from the dry, windy days we've had...and that seemed to clear up the spasms for a few days.
He mostly gets reverse sneezes when he gets very excited (like when I walk in the door).