My dog has these spells like he can't breath???

Question

I've notice every once in a while, my dog & some of my dogs in the past,
like have a spell like he can't breath or can't get his breath.... he almost sounds like a pig snorting and a puff, puff sound... I don't know what's goung on.... a pet him and get him to calm down then it stops... what is it?? what causes it??? what can I do???

mini dachuand

Answer 1

You do not say what breed it is.
Could be due to inhaling water.
Dachshunds do a thing called reverse sneezing. That sounds more like a hacking though.
Pugs and Bostons and Pekes and Bulldogs (dogs with pushed in faces) do not tolerate warm weather well and often have breathing difficulties, which can be aggravated if they over-exert themselves. In addition they are prone to allergies which in turn may increase breathing difficulties.
I would check with you vet if it continues and/or increases.

Answer 2

As many others have said, we need to know the breed to really answer this question. Many breeds have characteristic breathing problems. My dog is a 5-lb Yorkshire Terrier, which are prone to collapsing tracheas. When she is really excited, she just starts coughing and gasping until we calm her down. If you have a small dog, this may be the problem. There isn't a lot a vet can do, you just have to try not to let your dog get too excited if this is the problem. See your dog's vet to find the problem.

Answer 3

We have had dogs reverse sneeze if they get a bit of fluff up the nose.

However, our greyhound eats very fast and inhales food if we are not careful. Larger kibble slows her down and encourages chewing and slow feeders are good too: special bowls which need food teased out.
If kibble gets stuck, we lift her rear end up and point her nose down and gravity often helps cough it out. If not, a dog form of the Heimlich manouevre works or patting ribs firmly. I'm repeating what has been advised for correct spelling of the procedure and to drop in a link to a diagram that shows what to do. A dry bit of kibble can get stuck then graze the airways and its not uncommon to see a tiny bit of blood coming from a nostril. If bleeding is light its not a cause for concern. Here is the diagram.

http://www.chelseadogs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/choking-5.png

Answer 4

Mini dachs are not known for breathing problems since they aren't brachiocephalic (squash faced like pugs). Spinal problems yes, breathing problems no.

If your dog has these episodes, I certainly think you should take him to the vet. Is he overweight at all? Many dachshunds are, they're quite prone to it. Heart problems can cause breathing difficulties. I'm not saying that's what it is - only someone who's seen the animal can diagnose the problem.

The only thing you can, and should do, whenever you're worried about a pet, is take it to the vet.

Chalice

Answer 5

Amanda, If you are feeding your dog dry dog food they sometimes when they are excited will grab a piece of food and they try to swallow it too fast and it gets stuck in their windpipe! To help this problem, pick up his food and only put it down for him twice a day,!Don't leave it down on the floor all day! This problem has occurred with me many times until one day I lost a great young dog as he died trying to breath and I didn't know what to do, I learned afterward what happened and I have felt guilty and sad for many years, But I found out how to do the (I'm probably going to spell this wrong) Hymlick manuver,Which I wrap my arms around them .make a fist under their stomach between the ribs and squeeze them sharply very quick and release them! The food then becomes dislodged and they are fine after that!

Answer 6

What breed is the dog? I ask because certain breeds have smaller nasal passages and tend to do that easier than others. Breeds such as English bulldogs, boxers, pugs, and boston terriers and others tend to sound that way as a mater of nature. To be sure check with your vet. Hope this helps!

Answer 7

My dog does that when he's been running around for a long time. He doesn't just pant like other dogs- he practically hyperventilates. I think it's because he's sort of out of shape, and also I think it's because his breed is not known for being particularly athletic (he's an English bulldog). When he gets like that, I just take him inside and put a cool, damp towel around his neck until he calms down.

Answer 8

Check his collar to make sure it is not too tight. My dog does that when he is on the leash and pulls really hard. Generally, it means the dog is choking, so if you can't find a reason for this fit, go to the vet. They also might choke on small pieces of broken toys, so make sure you pick up broken toys. Encourage him to keep on by patting his back. Good luck!

Answer 9

We have a shih-tzu who used to do this and a toy poodle who sometimes does this. I can't remember anymore what our vet called it, but it's a narrowing of the nasal passages. The dog tends to panic a little when this happens. Try to calm him down, by talking to him gently, and rub up under his neck and chin. This always seemed to help my dogs when it happened.

Answer 10

Most of the dogs I've had over the years have done that also. My vet said that it's just an irritation of trachea.