Chihuahua Wheezing and Reverse Sneezing

Have you noticed your Chihuahua wheezing? Many owners fear the worst upon hearing sounds of apparent respiratory distress. They assume their canine companions can’t breathe, so they rush them to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.

While Chihuahuas can suffer from serious respiratory conditions, such as a collapsed trachea, wheezing episodes are typically harmless. Also known as “reverse sneezing,” it’s common in brachycephalic breeds. Chihuahuas can still breathe during these wheezing or reverse sneezing episodes, and they won’t experience any pain or lasting effects.

What Is Reverse Sneezing?

Reverse sneezing is the colloquial term used to describe episodes in which a Chihuahua or any other dog rapidly and convulsively inhales air through the nose. Some of these episodes last just seconds, whereas others may last for up to two minutes. Regardless, reverse sneezing involves the rapid and uncontrollable inhalation of air through the nose.

Sneezing, of course, involves the rapid and convulsive exhalation of air. Reverse sneezing is essentially the same but backward. Rather than exhaling air, Chihuahuas inhale air during reverse sneezing episodes. 

Here’s what to expect during a typical reverse sneezing episode:

1. The Chihuahua will stop what he’s doing and stand still.
2. He will extend his neck out.
3. He will begin to quickly inhale air through his nose.
4. During these inhalations, the Chihuahua will make wheezing, snorting, hacking or goose-honking noises. His chest will also expand and contract.
5. After the episode has passed, the Chihuahua’s behavior will return to normal.

In the veterinary industry, the clinical term used to describe these episodes is paroxysmal respiration. Paroxysmal means occurring periodically with short episodes, and respiration means the act of breathing. Whether it’s wheezing, reverse sneezing or paroxysmal respiration, though, they all refer to the same type of episodes.

What Causes Reverse Sneezing? 

Reverse sneezing is believed to be caused by spasms of the soft palate. Not to be confused with the hard palate (see illustration below), the soft palate is a section of muscle tissue covered in a protective mucus membrane. In both dogs and humans, it’s used to block off the nasal passages when swallowing.

The soft palate consists of muscle tissue that, like other muscles in a Chihuahua’s body, can succumb to spasms. If the soft palate becomes irritated or inflamed, for instance, it may begin to spasm. These spasms can manifest in the form of reverse sneezing.

Reverse Sneezing Triggers

Reverse sneezing episodes may occur spontaneously and for no apparent reason. Other instances, however, may involve a trigger.

Anything that causes the soft palate to spasm is a potential trigger. Triggers may irritate, inflame or tickle the soft palate, resulting in a spasm.

Common triggers for reverse sneezing include:

• Dust, pollen or other airborne pollutants
• Nasal mites
• Excitement (e.g. running around in circles or playing with a toy)
• Household cleaning chemicals
• Smoke inhalation
• Pulling on a Chihuahua’s collar
• Allergies
• Foreign objects stuck in the throat
• Upper respiratory infections
• Eating or drinking too fast
• Blood-filled polyps in the throat

Why Reverse Sneezing Is So Common in Chihuahuas

Reverse sneezing can affect all breeds, but it’s particularly common in small dogs like Chihuahuas. A study of over 700 dogs found that Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas had the highest predisposition to reverse sneezing of all studied purebreds.

Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas are brachycephalic breeds, so they have smaller and shorter heads than non-brachycephalic breeds. Normally, a dog’s soft palate will remain isolated to the back of the mouth. In brachycephalic breeds, though, the soft palate may extend partially into the throat where it interferes with the trachea.

When a Chihuahua’s soft palate begins to spasm, his trachea may become partially obstructed. The convulsing muscle tissue at the roof of his mouth may occlude the flow of air into and out of the trachea. The Chihuahua should still be able to breathe, but he may not be able to fully inhale. The Chihuahua may then experience a reverse sneezing episode until the spasm has stopped and his trachea is no longer obstructed.

Let Your Veterinarian Know!

Reverse sneezing episodes will typically pass on their own. Because they can be mistaken for signs of a more severe respiratory condition known as a tracheal collapse, you should let your veterinarian know about these episodes. Licensed veterinarians know how to distinguish between reverse sneezing episodes and tracheal collapse.

You may even want to record your Chihuahua during an episode. Just pull out your smartphone and take create a short video of the episode. When visiting your veterinarian, you can show him or her the video. Along with performing an examination, your veterinarian may use this footage to determine if your Chihuahua is experiencing reverse sneezing episodes or a collapsed trachea.

Your veterinarian can also check your Chihuahua for underlying causes. Soft palate spasms may be caused by the triggers listed above. Nasal mites and upper respiratory infections, for instance, can cause the soft palate to spasm. During the visit, your veterinarian can rule out underlying causes such as these. Alternatively, if your veterinarian identifies a mite infestation or upper respiratory infection, he or she can treat it.

Treatment for Reverse Sneezing

In most cases, reverse sneezing doesn’t require treatment. Some Chihuahuas experience these episodes on a daily basis. As long as it’s true reverse sneezing and not a collapsed trachea, the episodes should pass. With that said, removing or managing the triggers can minimize the frequency of reverse sneezing episodes. 

If your Chihuahua experiences reverse sneezing episodes when you tug on his collar, for instance, consider switching to a harness, instead. Collars focus the pulling force on the neck, whereas harnesses distribute the pulling force across the body. Using a harness to walk your Chihuahua will alleviate pressure on the neck so that he’s less likely to experience reverse sneezing episodes.

If you believe airborne pollutants are to blame for your Chihuahua’s reverse sneezing episodes, try to improve the air quality in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Micro-sized pollutant particles may work their way into your Chihuahua’s mouth and throat where they cause his soft palate to spasm. 

Improving the air quality in your home will result in lower levels of airborne pollutants. Changing the air filter in your home at least once a month will result in cleaner air. Vacuuming and dusting the floors will also result in cleaner air. Another tip is to decorate with houseplants. Houseplants aren’t used strictly for aesthetics; they can clean the surrounding air by absorbing pollutants and releasing fresh oxygen.

Your veterinarian may be able to treat the underlying causes of your Chihuahua’s reverse sneezing episodes. Upper respiratory infections can be treated with antibiotics or antivirals. Nasal mites can be treated with anti-parasitic medication like ivermectin. Throat polyps can be treated with surgery.

How to Stop Your Chihuahua’s Reverse Sneezing Episodes

Most reverse sneezing episodes will stop once your Chihuahua’s soft palate spasm has ended. However, you may be able to shorten the duration of these episodes.

While there’s no foolproof way to stop all reverse sneezing episodes, some owners have reported success using the following methods:

• Gently rub your Chihuahua’s throat.
• Place your thumb and index fingers directly over your Chihuahua’s nostrils.
• Gently blow air in your Chihuahua’s face.
• Speak softly to your Chihuahua to try and calm him down.
• Run your hand under some cold water and place it against your Chihuahua’s lips.

Most of these methods work by encouraging the Chihuahua to swallow. If there’s something stuck in the Chihuahua’s throat, it may irritate his soft palate and cause a spasm. Swallowing should clear the Chihuahua’s throat.

Video of a Chihuahua Reverse Sneezing

This video shows a Chihuahua experiencing a reverse sneezing episode. The Chihuahua stops in his track and begins to wheeze. It sounds like the Chihuahua is gasping for air, but thankfully he’s experiencing a typical reverse sneezing episode.

In Conclusion

Wheezing or reverse sneezing is more frightening for owners than for Chihuahuas. It involves spasms of the soft palate at the back of the mouth. When Chihuahuas experience a reverse sneezing episode, they’ll rapidly wheeze while inhaling air through their nose.

References:

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/gesundheit-reverse-sneezing-in-dogs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_sneezing

Does your Chihuahua experience have wheezing or reverse sneezing episodes? Share your story with our community of fellow Chihuahua owners and enthusiasts in the comments section below!