Understanding Shih Tzu Reverse Sneezing and When to Seek Help

Shih Tzus are prone to reverse sneezing due to their brachycephalic skull structure, which can cause their soft palate to collapse into their airway.

Reverse sneezing in Shih Tzus can be triggered by various factors, including excitement, physical exertion, or even a strong scent.

If your Shih Tzu is experiencing a reverse sneezing episode, try to remain calm and stay with them until it passes, as this can help them feel more secure.

A reverse sneezing episode typically lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes, and in most cases, your Shih Tzu will be back to normal within a short period.

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Reverse sneezing is a common issue in Shih Tzus, and it's essential to understand what causes it. Dogs most commonly reverse sneeze to expel an irritant from the soft palate or throat.

Shih Tzus, like many other breeds, can experience reverse sneezing due to allergies. Allergies can cause irritation in the back of the throat, leading to a bout of reverse sneezing.

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The soft palate can be irritated by various things, including household products like perfume, cleaning products, or air fresheners. These products can trigger a reverse sneezing episode in Shih Tzus.

Shih Tzus are also prone to pulling on the leash while attached to a collar, which can cause irritation in the soft palate and lead to reverse sneezing. This is a common issue in many breeds.

Here are some common causes of reverse sneezing in Shih Tzus:

Reverse sneezing is not harmful and usually stops after the pet exhales through the nose. The exact origin of a reverse sneeze is not known, but any irritation in the back of the throat can produce a bout of reverse sneezing.

Shih Tzus, like many other breeds, can be prone to reverse sneezing episodes. These episodes can be caused by a variety of factors, including allergies to pollen and plants, which are common triggers for reverse sneezing in dogs.

Dogs with long snouts, such as Shih Tzus, are more prone to developing reverse sneezing than other dogs. However, any dog can potentially suffer from this problem, either once or as part of a chronic reverse sneezing condition.

Allergies are a common cause of reverse sneezing in Shih Tzus, and can be triggered by environmental allergens such as pollen, molds, dust mites, and grasses. Household products, such as cleaning products and air fresheners, can also irritate the soft palate and cause reverse sneezing.

Nasal mites can also be a contributing factor in reverse sneezing in Shih Tzus. If you suspect that your dog has nasal mites, it's essential to work with your veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment.

Some possible soft palate irritants that can result in a reverse sneeze in Shih Tzus include:

It's essential to work with your veterinarian to rule out any severe underlying conditions, such as collapsing trachea, nasal tumors, or other similar problems, before diagnosing your Shih Tzu with reverse sneezing of an unknown cause.

If your Shih Tzu is experiencing reverse sneezing, it's essential to get them evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out other, more concerning conditions, such as a collapsing trachea or nasal tumors.

A veterinarian will ask about your dog's environment and medical history, and a video of the episode is extremely helpful in diagnosing the condition.

Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination, taking your dog's temperature, palpating their throat, and listening to their chest.

If your Shih Tzu's reverse sneezing is chronic or severe, a rhinoscopy may be performed to look for nasal cavity and throat abnormalities.

Additional tests may be performed to rule out other causes of similar snorting noises, such as nasal foreign body, upper respiratory tract infection, or inflammation (rhinitis).

Here are some possible tests that may be performed:

If your dog is reverse sneezing, it's essential to determine if they're healthy overall. Typically, a reverse sneezing episode lasts about 30 seconds, and the dog is completely normal before and after the episode.

If your dog is reverse sneezing, it's not necessarily a sign of illness, but it can be a sign of irritation to their soft palate.

To breathe better, the dog extends their neck and forcefully attempts to inhale through their nose, which sounds like the dog is inhaling the sneeze.

A reverse sneeze is an involuntary inspiratory reflex that occurs when the soft palate is irritated.

Some possible soft palate irritants that can result in a reverse sneeze include allergies, household products, grooming products, infection, abnormalities in the throat, nasal mites, pressure on the throat, overexcitement, eating and drinking.

Here are some common causes of reverse sneezing in dogs:

If your dog is exhibiting odd snorting noises, contact your veterinarian to determine if they are reverse sneezing.

A veterinarian will ask about your dog's environment and medical history to help determine the cause of reverse sneezing.

They'll also ask if your dog was exposed to any respiratory irritants, has seasonal allergies, or ingested any foreign objects.

If you have a video of the episode, that's extremely helpful for the veterinarian in determining if your dog experienced reverse sneezing.

Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination to assess your pet's heart and lungs, and they'll look for any other respiratory signs such as nasal discharge or an increased respiratory rate or effort.

Additional tests may be performed to rule out other causes of similar snorting noises, including a chest X-ray, a sedated oral and nasal exam, and possibly a rhinoscopy.

Some possible causes of reverse sneezing include collapsing trachea, nasal tumor or polyps, nasal foreign body, upper respiratory tract infection, and inflammation (rhinitis).

Here are some possible diagnostic tests for reverse sneezing:

Your veterinarian may recommend X-rays of your dog's sinuses or chest in some cases.

If your dog's reverse sneezing is chronic or severe, your veterinarian may perform a rhinoscopy to look for nasal cavity and throat abnormalities.

In most cases, reverse sneezing in Shih Tzus is not a cause for concern and will stop on its own once the dog is able to exhale through his nose.

You can try some tricks to help shorten the episode, such as gently massaging your Shih Tzu's throat, placing your hand over their nostrils for 2-3 seconds, then removing your hand, or gently blowing into their nostrils.

If your Shih Tzu is prone to reverse sneezing, consider using a harness instead of a traditional neck collar, which places more pressure on the throat.

You can also add moisture to the air in your home by using a vaporizer.

If your Shih Tzu's reverse sneezing becomes more frequent or episodes become longer, talk with your veterinarian to rule out other more serious issues.

In frequent or severe cases of reverse sneezing, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause or provide symptomatic care.

Here are some common medications prescribed for reverse sneezing:

If your Shih Tzu is dealing with reverse sneezing, you can gently pet them to help soothe them, but avoid petting their face or snout.

Most reverse sneezing episodes will last only a few seconds, but holding the dog's nostrils closed for a second, lightly massaging their throat, and blowing in their face may help.

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