What is the difference between sneezing and reverse sneezing?
Simply put, sneezing = air out, and reverse sneezing, as the term indicates = air in. Sneezing is a reaction to an irritant in the nasal passages. Reverse sneezing is caused by a spasm of the throat and soft palate in response to irritation of the throat, pharynx, or laryngeal area.
If you're not familiar with reverse sneezing, it can startle the pants off you.
When I first witnessed Jasmine's episode of reverse sneezing, I was quite concerned. I thought she was either choking or having some kind of asthma attack. It t passed before I managed to rush her to an emergency hospital and she was perfectly normal after that. A reverse sneezing episode typically lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Compare this to a regular sneeze.
Fortunately, reverse sneezing looks way scarier than how dangerous it is.
Reverse sneezing rarely requires medical attention, unless it is chronic, frequent or longer in duration.
Normally, reversed sneezing can be triggered by excitement, irritants such as pollen particles or perfume, a tight collar, exercise intolerance, or even a sudden change in temperature.
However, when your dog gets more than the odd episode, just like with excessive sneezing, you might be looking at something more serious such as a potential foreign body, infection, collapsing trachea, polyps or tumors.
Whether or not a typically normal physical reaction such as sneezing, panting, reverse sneezing and others is a problem or not depends on the degree of severity and frequency.
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Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is an award-winning guide to help you better understand what your dog is telling you about their health and how to best advocate for them.
Learn how to see and how to think about changes in your dog’s appearance, habits, and behavior. Some signs that might not trigger your concern can be important indicators that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Other symptoms, while hard to miss, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping, are easy to spot but can have a laundry list of potential causes, some of them serious or even life-threatening.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is a dog health advocacy guide 101. It covers a variety of common symptoms, including when each of them might be an emergency.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog now available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is an award-winning guide to help you better understand what your dog is telling you about their health and how to best advocate for them.
Learn how to see and how to think about changes in your dog’s appearance, habits, and behavior. Some signs that might not trigger your concern can be important indicators that your dog needs to see a veterinarian right away. Other symptoms, while hard to miss, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping, are easy to spot but can have a laundry list of potential causes, some of them serious or even life-threatening.
Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog is a dog health advocacy guide 101. It covers a variety of common symptoms, including when each of them might be an emergency.
An award-winning guide for dog parents
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- 2017 Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America for a book on health, behavior, or general care.
- 2017 Morris Animal Foundation Canine Health Award for the best science-based book about canine health issues.
- 2018 Reader's Favorite Honorable Mention in Non-Fiction - Animals category
I had only heard of reverse sneezing earlier this year, but I've definitely seen my dog do this before - not frequently, but a couple of times for sure. I wondered what it was and then found out!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the videos of dogs reverse sneezing. While Chloe has never reversed sneezed (to my knowledge), now I'll know what to watch for in the future. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLayla sneezes on the odd occassion so I do not worry and reverse sneezing I think she has done once in the 6 plus years that I have got her.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of reverse sneezing but other than the odd rare sneeze, I've never had that issue with any of my animals. Finally something one of my pets hasn't had!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that does look scary and I don't think I ever witnessed it in our dog or other dogs. Our former dog came to us with a partially collapsed trachea, but I don't remember hearing him reverse sneeze
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting. I've shared before that my cat, Lola is sneezy. I'm wondering now if she also has reverse sneezing. I have to watch more closely.
ReplyDeleteMy dog Nelly has infrequent episodes of reverse sneezing, but the vet told me it was nothing to worry about. I guess that if it becomes more frequent, I'll ask again.
ReplyDeleteBoth Reese and Jack experience 'reverse sneezing'. The first time I heard it I panicked. I thought Reese was having a seizure! Our vet is aware and at present, not concerned. Will definitely keep an eye and make sure it does not become a regular occurrence.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, reverse sneezing...it totally scared me when I first saw it many years ago with one of my Huskies!!! Thankfully, I learned what it was and it does not occur often. However, if people come in with perfume on or have a drink with alcohol like beer, they will regular sneeze-all four of them in unison! The latter is funny...they are like detection dogs!
ReplyDeletePhoebe sometimes reverse sneezes and it really is scary the first time it happens! I thought she was choking to death. It tends to happen most when she's been playing excitedly. It doesn't last, but it's still a bit unsettling.
ReplyDeleteLove & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
I had heard of reverse sneezing but never had seen an example of it. Thank you for sharing the video. That would scare me to death. Brulee tends to sneeze but they were never really long so I don’t worry about her.
ReplyDeleteKilo reverse sneezes- scared me the first time but it is usually quite quick. I block his nostrils for a second and he opens his mouth and seems to help.
ReplyDelete