bobchic Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Biggest scare of my Puppy motherhood tonight Mr Fluffy was playing with Missy when he hunched over and started making a funny noise (almost a grunt from deep in his throat) I went over to him and put my hands on his ribs and they were completely sucked in!! I had no idea what was going on but I figured he was choking. I freaked out and shook him, let him go then tried to open his mouth to stick a finger down his throat. His jaws were clamped together so I had to prise them apart. I put my finger way down and wiggled it a bit but couldn't feel anything solid that might be causing him distress. I let him go and he walked off near the couch. I thought for a second he was ok until he made a howl/squeak noise (I could hear air going past something in his throat), So I grabbed him again (little ribs still sucked in) and put my finger down his throat again. By this time I figured I should probly wake up my OH who is a Nurse to try and help. By the time my OH was in the lounge, Mr Fluffy had coughed up some lint/dust (maybe from the vac or dryer.. must have got it out of the bin) and was a little shaky but ok. I wasn't... I was in tears and still freaking out!! Fluff curled up with me for a while after, very subdued, until dinner time. Now he is fine. It’s got me thinking... Is there a doggy first aid course or something? I never want to face something like this again and not have an idea of how dogs airways work, and what best method's to try to enable a blockage to be removed. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) Oh how scary I'm terrible in situations like that. I haven't done it myself, but the MDBA offer a course in Canine First Aid: http://www.mdba.net.au/product_info.php?cP...;products_id=38 Edited June 6, 2009 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyliegirl Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 this may help with basic doggy first aid for you they are video tutorials on what to do.. I would not advise using these methods as an alternative to taking your dog to the vet. All health issues should be treated seriously and basic first aid is only applied to ensure the victim is stabilized to be taken safely to get professional medical help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotAnyBlacker Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Could have been a reverse sneeze? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobchic Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 Thanks so much for the links guys!! GotAnyBlacker... Whats a reverse sneeze? Cheers Sonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lab lady Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 reverse sneezing was my first thought too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobchic Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 Reverse sneezing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Reverse sneezing (also called backwards sneezing) or inspiratory paroxysmal respiration is a phenomenon observed in dogs, particularly in those with brachycephalic skulls. Its exact cause is unknown but may be due to nasal, pharyngeal, or sinus irritation (such as an allergy), the dog's attempt to remove mucus, or from over-excitement due to present activity. It is characterized by rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds. It is alarming to the owner and may be distressing to the dog, but is not known to be harmful to the animal. Most dogs are completely normal before and after episodes. In addition most dogs will have repeat episodes of it during their lives. According to Dr. Holly Frisby, DVM, "During a reverse sneeze, the dog will make rapid and long inspirations, stand still, and extend his head (and neck). A loud snorting sound is produced...." Reverse sneezing also commonly occurs while the dog is asleep, and also immediately following a long nap. Other dogs may experience it following play, exercise, or meals, but most of the time episodes are completely random. Smaller dogs seem slightly more susceptible to it; however any dog can develop it regardless of size. Differential diagnoses include tracheal collapse. A common remedy is to pinch the dog's nose and scratch its throat. Lightly blowing in its face may also help. The dog will swallow a couple of times and then stop the reverse sneezing. Additionally, calming the dog down by rubbing its sides or back also helps to end the episode more quickly. While most dogs do not require medication, antihistamines and steroids may help if the problem is serious, chronic, and allergy-related. Wow.. after reading the above maybe it could have been a reverse sneeze... The above info says it could happen again... I dont want it too!! But at least I can try the tips suggested. Will still let the vet know at the next check up Thanks so much for the suggestion it might be a reverse sneeze. At least I have an idea of what to do it it happens again!! Cheers! Sonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Kaos reverse sneezes when excited, everyone around he panics She gets over it soon enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Lestat is a reverse sneezer, its never hurt him but did scare me the first time it happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobchic Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 can they breathe while they are reverse sneezing? Fluffy was having issues for around 1-2mins and actually coughed up on the floor, frothy spit. Im not sure if he coughed up lint or if he coughed on lint lol How long does an attack usually last? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Reverse sneezing sounds like they are goose honking. More then likley it was this that was occuring. Covering their noses and shoving your fingers into their mouths to opening it forcing them to breath through their mouth helps. Brachy breeds are more prone to attacks. They can occur from over excitment, change of air temprature (cold air) or even air being to dry (heating during the winter). If he was actually choking on something I would have done the hemilich manouvour (I have performed this on several chocking dogs with sucess) If they are not breathing then mouth to snout is simple to do as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adele Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 When my dog reverse sneezes it sounds AWFUL, it does sound like she is choking and she seems to do it out of excitement because it happens mostly when we are at our obedience club. The other dogs don't seem to like it when she is near them so I take her off to the side and calm her down then she is fine. Her attacks never seem to go on for too long - maybe 30 secs...long enough for a few odd stares from other people and dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neatz Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 can they breathe while they are reverse sneezing?Fluffy was having issues for around 1-2mins and actually coughed up on the floor, frothy spit. Im not sure if he coughed up lint or if he coughed on lint lol How long does an attack usually last? Have a look on you-tube and you will see cases of reverse sneezing. The dust/lint on floor may have triggered it. Next time your at the vets just mention what happened and have them give your dog a once over to make sure heart/lungs etc are ok. If your think your dog is having difficulty breathing lift it's lip up and check the colour of it's gums. If they are nice and pink that is good, if they are blueish than get to a vet asap. Oh also some vets haven't seen reverse sneezing before because by the time you get there for a consult the episode is over and the dog looks fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suki Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 My parents have 3 Papillions and the middle one used to have these episodes quiet a lot when she got over excited playing with her ball. She was always a pudding of a pup since birth but the vet put her on a special diet and I haven't heard her do it since. She had to lose 1.5kgs or something along the lines of that. Although, I didn't know it was a reverse sneeze Ill have to let my mum know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesa Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Biggest scare of my Puppy motherhood tonight Mr Fluffy was playing with Missy when he hunched over and started making a funny noise (almost a grunt from deep in his throat) I went over to him and put my hands on his ribs and they were completely sucked in!! I had no idea what was going on but I figured he was choking. I freaked out and shook him, let him go then tried to open his mouth to stick a finger down his throat. His jaws were clamped together so I had to prise them apart. I put my finger way down and wiggled it a bit but couldn't feel anything solid that might be causing him distress. I let him go and he walked off near the couch. I It’s got me thinking... Is there a doggy first aid course or something? I never want to face something like this again and not have an idea of how dogs airways work, and what best method's to try to enable a blockage to be removed. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do? Have a look at some of these links on youtube. Hopefully you will never have to use them, but you never know with puppies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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