Why does my dog wheeze?

Question

My toy breed dog seems to wheeze every once in a while. It sounds sort of like what a cat sounds like when it is trying to hack up a hair ball, but in this case, the sound is coming from the back of his throat. Does anybody have any idea why he does that?

My 4.5 year old Maltese dog seems to wheeze every once in a while. It sounds sort of like what a cat sounds like when it is trying to hack up a hair ball, but in this case, the sound is coming from the back of his throat. It doesn't happen after any particular activity; just sporadically. Does anybody have any idea why he does that?

He's a 4.5 year old Maltese dog. It doesn't happen after any particular activity; just sporadically.

Answer 1

"Tis allergy season.. or reverse sneezing..I would get it checked out by a vet to be sure..

Answer 2

If the dog is brachycephalic (squash faced like pug) the wheezing would seem to come from the face and be accompanied by some clear snot occasionally. Is he brachycephalic? This doesn't sound much like a description of that sort of wheezing.

Here's a list of things it could be:
+ backwards sneeze (common but still needs to be checked out as it is often caused by irritation in the throat, like enlarged tonsils)
+ coughing as a result of heart problems - does it happen more often after exercise of any kind? Not good if so!
+ kennel cough (which is a hacking kind of cough)
+ collapsing trachea - can be controlled with meds, doesn't always need surgical correction, depends on the severity. Especially common in Yorkies.

If you think this type of cough/hack is not just because the dog has a squashed face, I really would advise having him checked over and discussing this with the vet.

Chalice

Answer 3

It could be kennel cough - is your dog current on vaccines (the annual combo includes Bordatella - that's to help decrease the risk of contracting kennel cough). Some breeds, like yorkies, are notorious for having a collapsing trachea which causes them to wheeze. Get your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis - good luck!

Answer 4

I am a Vet tech student; I may be able to help. I would take your dog to the Vet if this is becoming more frequent or if it's happening when the dog becomes excited. Since he is a little dog he may have a collapsing Trachea(windpipe) and it can be very serious. Take him in ASAP if he seems to be having difficult time breathing. Hope I helped.

Alicia

Answer 5

It sounds like he is probably reverse sneezing. My roommates beagle does this alot, especially when she gets excited about something. It is caused when the dogs soft palate does not lay back in their throat properly as a dogs soft palate can move where ours cannot. It's nothing to be worried about and it cannot hurt him. If he ever gets into fits where is he doing this you can hold his mouth shut and blow lightly into his nose. I know this sounds odd or even mean but its not because it forces air back against the soft palate and it corrects itself. Otherwise you have to wait for him to breathe through his nose again to correct it on his own. But for as odd as it sounds it won't hurt him at all!

Answer 6

Breed is important, brachysyphallic breeds (like pugs) are at risk for collapsed tracheas. Also important to know is your dog's age, heart disease in older dogs causes coughing.

For a short-nosed dog, you need to see your vet about surgical correction, because collapsted trachea is practically irrepairable, and can cause serious life-threatening problems. For an older dog, you still need to see your vet, he may need medication to stave off heart failure.

Answer 7

If he's not choking on anything, he probably has breathing problems. You should take him to the vet & get him checked, he must be very uncomfortable at the least.

Answer 8

Could be an asama problem....dogs can get asama and allergies too just like a human.

Answer 9

I have Pugs and they wheez because of there nose what do you have. Pugs I think are th worst in wheezing and snoring

Answer 10

ask a vet