It can be startling when your dog starts to make loud noises and appears like they are struggling to breathe.
You may first assume that your dog is experiencing a medical emergency when in many cases it is a harmless reverse sneeze.
Pomeranians are known for making all sorts of noises including hacking and snorting sounds familiar with a reverse sneeze. In most cases, your dog has gotten excited and has inhaled air quickly through its nose which is the opposite of a common sneeze.
What Is A Reverse Sneeze
When your dog experiences a reverse sneeze he or she rapidly inhales air through its nostrils instead of rapidly pushing air outwards, like in a regular sneeze.
What Is A Reverse Sneeze Called
The official term for a reverse sneeze is paroxysmal respiration.
What Does A Reverse Sneeze Sound Like
A reverse sneeze sounds very much like a snorting, gasping, honking, or choking sound.
Your dog is trying to inhale air at the same time that they are sneezing which causes the snorting noise you are familiar with.
What Do Pomeranians Look Like When They Reverse Sneeze
A reverse sneeze often has similar body language as you would expect from a dog who is sneezing.
they are usually moving around and often moving their heads up and down.
What Causes Pomeranians Reverse Sneeze
- Excitement
- Mouth or throat irritation
- Harness or collar being pulled too tightly
- Drinking too quickly
- Eating too quickly
- Purfumes or irritating odors
- Foreign objects in the throat
- Mite or fleas
- Nasal Drip
- Viruses
Excitement
Many times your Pomeranian is reverse sneezing due to over-excitement.
If your dog is excited and starts to reverse sneeze it can be tough for your dog to stop. It’s a cycle of air being pushed in and out that can keep repeating as your dog tries to breathe correctly.
Mouth Or Throat Irritation
If your dog’s mouth or throat becomes irritated it is possible for your dog to have spasms within the throat which may cause reverse sneezing.
Harness Or Collar Being Pulled Too Tightly
I have to mention first off to never use a collar on a Pomeranian, always use a harness.
Pomeranians are vulnerable to collapsed tracheas which can become very serious and life-threatening.
If your dog happens to pull hard against the leach or is pulled too hard it may cause reverse sneezing.
Drinking Water Too Quickly
I think we have all witnessed a dog that has drunk too fast and has started to hack and usually loses that water all over the floor.
If your Pomeranian drinks too fast it may cause them to reverse sneeze.
Eating Too Quickly
The same thing can happen if your dog eats too quickly.
Dogs can start to hack and reverse sneeze.
Perfumes Or Irritating Odors
Just like you and I, Pomeranians can be easily irritated by scents like perfumes, household cleaners, room sprays, and candles.
Foreign Objects In The Mouth
It is a serious matter if your dog has a foreign object in its throat or mouth, especially if it is stuck.
If your dog has anything in its mouth whether it is an emergency or just a toy it is possible for it to cause reverse sneezing.
Mites Or Fleas
If your dog has mites or fleas they can cause many different health issues and irritations including reverse sneezing.
Nasal Drip
Nasal drip can tickle your dog’s throat causing it to reverse sneeze.
Viruses
Viruses are known to cause a variety of irritations and issues with your dog’s throat and nasal passages.
If your dog has a virus it’s very likely for it to cause reverse sneezing as well as other symptoms.
Why Do Pomeranians Reverse Sneeze
There are many different reasons a Pomeranian might reverse sneeze.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple explanation for reverse sneezing in dogs.
Just like a regular sneeze, there will be something that triggers the reverse sneeze response.
Can A Pomeranian Continuously Reverse Sneeze
Your Pomeranian can either experience a short reverse sneezing episode or an extended session of reverse sneezing.
Should I Be Concerened If My Pomeranian Reverse Sneezes Often
Most of the time reverse sneezing it’s something to worry about, just like you wouldn’t worry about a simple sneeze.
There are other times where the reverse sneezing can come along with more serious conditions like a collapsed trachea, something stuck in your dog’s throat, severe viruses, or allergies.
Should I Take My Dog To The Vet For Reverse Sneezing
If you notice anything that is abnormal for your dog it’s best to visit your vet for a professional opinion.
How Is A Reverse Sneeze Diagnosed
Your vet will want to rule out any serious conditions when searching for the cause of your dog’s reverse sneezing.
Some of these conditions include.
- Something being stuck in your dogs throat
- Collaphsed tracheas
- Respitory conditions
- Tumors
- Polyps
How Are Reverse Coughs Treated
The majority of the time a reverse cough will not need to be treated.
When your dog is experiencing the coughing and hacking of a reverse sneeze you can try to calm your dog down by petting it and gently rubbing its throat area.
Another option is to gently blow air into your dog’s face or pinch your dog’s nostrils for a moment to force them to swallow and change the rapid inhalation process.
Your dog should start breathing normally within moments.
You can also offer your dog something to drink to help soothe their throat.
Do All Dogs Reverse Sneeze
Reverse sneezing can happen in all dogs but, is more common in small toy breeds like Pomeranians.
Final Thoughts
Trying to determine if your dog is having a medical issue or a simple sneezing fit can sometimes be harder than you think.
I always look for common situations when I can expect my dogs to make such noises like during a greeting or a fast drink of water.
Our Pomeranian Willow is known for making honking and gagging noises when she is excited.
Our other two are less likely to make these noises.
Every dog will be different and what is normal for one dog may not be for others.
It comes down to knowing your dog specifically and also knowing when something isn’t normal.
