Does your dog do this??

Question

I was just wondering if anyone else had a dog that does this and knows what it is. Anywho, this is what my 3 year old pomeranian does. When he gets really excited, he starts to have an "asthma attack" He wheezes uncontrollably for a minute or more. After a while, he's ok and continues what he was doing, but sometimes the attacks last for five minutes. I was wondering if anyone knew the cause, what it's called, and had a dog that does this. Thanks! Please no rude comments!!

Answer 1

Does it sound like a snorting, honking or gasping noise? What you probably witnessed, is the condition in dogs, known as "Reverse Sneezing". It actually has nothing to do with sneezing, but is a spasm caused by irritation of the soft palate. The soft palate, is a soft fleshy tissue extension of the hard palate {or roof of the mouth}. Small dogs in particular, can exhibit this behavior and certain breeds may be susceptible to it. During the spasm, the dog will usually turn his elbow outward and extend his neck, while gasping inwards with a distinctive snorting sound. Gently massaging the throat area or pinching the dogs nostrils shut so he must breathe through his mouth, will help shorten the episode. Sometimes taking the dog outside, in the fresh air, stops the spasm. Once the attack ceases, all goes back to normal. If your dog experiences this behavior fairly frequently and the episodes are severe, a trip to the vet is in order, to determine other possible causes, which can include viral infections, polyps, excessive soft palate tissue and nasal mites. However, many cases of reverse sneezing appear to have no identifiable cause.. I have Chihuahuas and they do it sometimes. I know how scary it looks and sounds. It scared me half to death before I knew what it was. Just keep and eye on him and like I said, if he does it too often, or if it's severe and lasts a long time, have the vet check him out! I hope this help! Have a great day!

Answer 2

Hi my pet pom also does this!!! He gets really excited when he sees me after I return from a long time away from home or when he sees pulling my Samsonite suitcase out for a long flight. I think he is being so emotional that he cant bark anymore so he is wheezing and sounding like an asthma attack. It breaks my heart to see him like this but I have no choice. And his vet advises me to not let him eat anymore "junk" only food made for dogs but he is greedy he just gotta have some of watever I'm having. So I believe its a normal thing for a pom to do and just give him more loving and let him have proper exercise and a healthy doggie diet!

Answer 3

You should probably ask the vet on your next visit. Some small dogs have breathing problems because of their facial features. Like pugs for example. Has your dog always done this, or is it something new? Try to get more information on Pomeranians and their typical traits. But your vet would be the best to ask.

Answer 4

I have a 5 yr old dog is that is half pom, half poodle and he does this. I took him to the vet for it and he suggested giving him a 2 year old's dose of children's Benadryl. He said it was because the dog was allergic to grass! My dog also licks his paws quite a bit because of allergies. The first time he had an attack I thought he was dying but now I know it is just allergies and won't kill him.

Answer 5

My fiance' used to have a pom that would get so excited it would pass out for about 5 seconds. That dog had a heart condition (but lived a very long life). Has your vet checked your dog's heart lately? I think poms also have many respiratory problems anyway.

Answer 6

This is quite normal. Many dogs will seem like they are choking when they are excited or anxious. I am working with a mini schnauzer who does this when he is anxious or excited and especially when he is taken for a walk. You can stop this by calming him down and by not getting excited yourself.

If you are overly concerned then by all means have a vet check him out...but I am sure this is just a triggered reaction.

Answer 7

I had this bred some years ago- he started doing this when he was around 5 or so but it was not a big deal ( well I never asked a vet) but it seems that when they get excited they get breathless and the result is what you described- I would however suggest you do consult your vet- one can never be too sure and you don't want your pet to land up with something we don't know
take him to the vet please

Answer 8

I suggest having him checked out by a vet to rule out asthma, heart conditions, or any other condition. It would be good if you took a video of one of these episodes and show the vet.
This could possibly be tracheal collapse. When they get excited they start making a honking like noise. You really have to keep an eye on them because they could get hyperventilated and pass out.
Please contact your vet and have your dog checked out.

Answer 9

Our beagle makes this sound when she's on her leash and is pulling for a good amount of time. I always wondered about it too, because every now and then she does it during the night while she's sleeping...
Most of the time we can tell her it's ok and she starts to stop, but I always wondered if it was ok for it to be happening...

Answer 10

i haven't had a dog that does that but your dog just needs to calm down more often than other dogs. also, your dog might need extra attention because you dont want to come home and see that your dog is dead
: - ( i personally don't know what causes this but i do hope that your dog survives and you find out what causes this problem.

im sorry i wasn't any help.