What's the difference between Reverse Sneezing and Kennel Cough?

Question

My three year old labrador retreiver has recently been sucking in air through her nose (hard to describe). It is almost like she is about to throw up, but she only does it once or twice at a time, relatively infrequently. I have pushed on her trachea and she has not coughed. I actually have not observed her coughing at all.

Any help from veterinarians or vet techs is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Answer 1

Kennel cough is an obvious cough. The reverse sneeze is more like a honking sound. It will usually go away if you soothe and cuddle your dog. If it doesn't, go to the vet. One of my dogs did this often, but it would always stop with the cuddling.
-MM

Answer 2

A reverse sneeze is a spasm in the laryngeal area. The dog usually stiffens up and sucks air in through his mouth/nose. It is very dramatic, and usually lasts several seconds. Rubbing the throat or blowing in the nose may help. It is harmless and quite common in many dogs. Kennel cough is a bacterial infection, which causes an exhalation, or dry hacking type of cough. It kinds sounds like someone with bronchitis. Many times they will 'gag' at the end of the cough. Dogs with kennel cough will cough frequently throughout the day...reverse sneezes are only occasional. Kennel cough needs to run it's course, usually 10 days or so, but the pet may need medication if the cough is severe or not going away on it's own. In rarer instances it can cause pneumonia.