Chihuahua - reverse sneezing?

[Princesspeach1980]

I have an 8 month old chihuahua X JRT and since we got him, he's had episodes where he sort of hacks/ sneezes. he stands with his head down and his mouth closed when he does it. I've googled and found references to "reverse sneezing" which is when they get an irritation on their soft palette. It suggested covering the nose when it happens (to make them take a breath through the mouth) and that sort of works, although he doesn't like it. He's fine when the episode passes, it might last 20 seconds if we don't intervene. It does seem to be happening more often, maybe 3 or 4 times a day.

I did read that this can be common with chihuahuas but I don't know whether I should be going to the vets about it. I keep trying to catch a video of him doing it to show the vet but he stops by the time I get my phone out.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

[GreyHare]

My Cav x does it, I find rubbing his chest between his front legs firmly help to stop it, I haven't ever taken him to the vets for it, I just try to walk him on a harness rather than a lead to prevent putting any extra strain on his trachea.

[GinBunny]

Yes our dog does it, the first time we took him to the vets because we thought he was having a heart attack! It is quite common in small dogs but nothing to worry about, although it does sound alarming. We just leave our boy, rub his chest/throat as Grey said, it passes soon enough. And we also use a harness.

[Princesspeach1980]

I use a harness too. Does your dog seem to be triggered by anything? Mine seems to do it more when he is excited, like when we come home, although sometimes its just random.

[Princesspeach1980]

Thanks Ginbunny, cross posted with you. Good to know your vet said nothing to worry about. Maybe I should just mention it next time we go for flea/wormers but not make a specific appointment for it.

I've never had a small dog before so it's all a bit new to me

[lilygirl81]

Definitely nothing to worry about. We talk to our chihuahua calmly and if it's a long one will gently rub his throat a bit which seems to help

[Lokibuddyboo]

My chihuahua cross jrt does this I find if I stoke dog his nose this helps stop it but it's nothing to worry about its quite common in chihuahuas and other small dogs although it does sound and look frightening the first time, like you he's my first small dog but luckily I knew what it was as my sister has chihuahua crosses and I had previously seen her dog do it.

[Lokibuddyboo]

• should be stroke down his nose.
  Bloody auto correct

[Gummygummygumdrops]

When my chiahuaha does it I put my 2 fingers over her 2 nostrils. Seems to help!

[Princesspeach1980]

That's what I've been doing Gummy, I wonder if it's just a case of distracting them out of it. Very glad to know it's nothing to worry about.

[GreyHare]

I use a harness too. Does your dog seem to be triggered by anything? Mine seems to do it more when he is excited, like when we come home, although sometimes its just random

Dogs sneeze when they they are happy excited anyways and it tends to be when mine does it and when he gets his dinner as again he's excited for his food.

[trashcanjunkie]

My two chihuahuas do this. Particularly if they get excited at visitors. I don't do anything, but if they're close at hand and it's a long one I'll give them a gentle stroke. I personally wouldn't start sticking my hands over their noses in case it distressed them. The sneezing never does. I checked with the vet and they've said its just a thing and not to worry.