Shihtzu gasping

[Mags485]

I have a shihtzu who is nearly 8 years old. Occasionally when she has been bathed she starts to gasp and seems to be struggling for breath. This lasts about thirty seconds, I just speak calmly to her and she stops. This doesn’t seem to happen at the groomers, I wondered if it was a claustrophobic thing when she’s done in the shower but have just bathed her outside and she’s done it again. The vet says her heart is fine so I don’t know what it is. Anyone else had this

Is it cold water?

My frenchi used to do this, apparently it's a backwards sneeze, look it up on YouTube,
I used to panic thinking she couldn't get her breath and once I watched it you could see it's quite common

Is it a gasp or reverse sneezing?

Has she got water up her nose or does she find the grooming process quite stressful maybe?

Reverse sneeze. Hold her mouth closed gently and cover one nostril.

Are you drenching her face as you have to be careful not to essentially waterboard your Shih Tzu as the have such flat faces you have to cover the nose with your hand to stop water from being inhaled, I only wash my Shih Tzu face with a damp flannel.

Thanks for all the reply’s. I had a look at you tube and it’s reverse sneezing. There was a dog doing exactly the same as she does. Thanks for putting my mind at rest now I know what it is