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Last week Duchess’s owner phoned me panic-stricken because her Shih Tzu was having difficulty breathing. She described her dog as making terrible respiratory noises. Since I was unable to witness the respiratory attack, I asked her to place her phone next to Duchess so that I could better understand what was happening.
From the sounds Duchess was making, it was clear that she was having an attack of reverse sneezing. I asked her to lift Duchess into her arms and calm her down with soothing strokes and sounds. The episode soon passed and Duchess was brought to the clinic to be checked out.
The number of conditions which affect the respiratory process is huge: infections, tumours, heart-related problems, allergies, blood disorders, kidney problems, intoxications. These are just some of the underlying causes that may partially manifest themselves through respiratory disorders. So it is not surprising that when pet owners attempt to communicate to a veterinarian the respiratory condition from which their dog or cat is suffering, they find it difficult to verbally describe or, indeed, imitate the sounds being made by their pets. And yet, purely because it is the respiratory apparatus which is involved, it makes it all the more essential that a correct diagnosis is made.
It is a cinch that, given a lack of food, water or air, it is the latter which is the most critically needed to ensure immediate survival. Therefore, it is extremely important that the vet is provided with as much accurate information as possible to quickly diagnose the medical condition. Snoring, coughing, and sneezing are terms that vets often hear but, with pets, it is not always so straightforward which exactly of these is going on.
A snore originates from the nasal area and corresponds to a sound made as air is drawn inwards. A cough is a reflex which the body uses to clear the bronchial airways and consists of a build-up of air in the lung, which is suddenly released outward accompanied by a distinct sound.
A sneeze is similar to a cough in the sense that air is similarly propelled outward, but the tongue directs most of the air through the nasal cavities rather than through the mouth. Reverse sneezing is the opposite of a normal sneeze. It is medically referred to as pharyngeal gag reflex. The onset of an episode is usually very sudden.
The dog normally extends its neck, gasping for air and makes rapid, repetitive and loud snorting and gagging sounds. The sound is a direct result of the soft palate inside the mouth going into a spasm, which in turn narrows the airways and makes it more difficult for the dog to take in air.
An episode normally lasts only a few minutes and, once recovered, the dog is back to normal without any ill effect. However, the episode is not a pleasant one for the dog and, for the pet owner unaccustomed to this condition, it can be both distressing and alarming. What helps the pet owner is to understand what tends to trigger the episode.
Given a lack of food, water or air, it is the latter which is the most critically needed to ensure immediate survival
Very often, reverse sneezing happens due to over-excitement, for example, the pet owner returning home, visitors coming to the house or excitement during play.
It can also be caused by irritation towards household sprays or cleaning materials. Other common triggers include pollen or dust. This could explain why some pet owners find that reverse sneezing occurs more frequently at certain times of year. I have also had cases where certain types of dog-bedding caused violent reverse sneezing.
Just like Duchess the Shih Tzu, dogs such as pugs, bulldogs, boxers and Pekingese invariably suffer from this strange respiratory distress condition. These types of dogs fall under a group referred to as brachycephalic, meaning short-faced, and it is due to their fore-shortened and wide-skull shape that they are predisposed to suffering from reverse sneezing. Although this condition is very common in these breeds, it can also happen in long-nosed dog breeds and occasionally in cats. Either way, it can cause considerable alarm to dog owners if they are unaware of it.
The first thing to do if your dog suffers from reverse sneezing is to avoid, as much as possible, those situations that you come to learn will trigger off such episodes. You will find that it almost becomes second nature to care for your pet just as you would an asthmatic child.
In the event that your pet does suffer from reverse sneezing, your vet will teach you how to relieve your dog’s discomfort by gently pressing the nostrils closed and depressing the tongue to allow air through the oral airways. Massaging the throat at the same time also helps to relax the spasm. It is important to remain as calm as possible and reassure your dog that all is well, as it will sense your distress.
Do discuss the episodes with your veterinarian, especially if they become too frequent or severe. Nowadays, if your dog or cat is experiencing some kind of an episode that is difficult to explain, it makes sense that you take a video with your mobile phone to be able to show to your veterinarian.
In time, Duchess’s owner will become accustomed to managing, avoiding, as well as foreseeing situations that give rise to reverse sneezing and dealing with it when it happens.
thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com
Dr Martin Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.