Krystlelynne’s Weblog

Originally uploaded by yokviv

My Boxer has been making these weird grunting sounds while sneezing for about two weeks now.

My Mom called the vet a week ago and he said “it could be allergies. Give it a week, and if it doesn’t go away, bring him in.”

Well a week later, I noticed the sneeze started getting worse. It was like my poor Reese couldn’t catch his breath when these awkward sneezes occurred.

As luck would have it, my mom was out of town when I decided to take Reese to the vet. My sister offered to come along with me, but truth be told, she has no control over the dog at all.

Reese hates the vet. His mouth begins to quiver and his whole body shakes with nervousness.

When it came time to take him into the room with the stainless steel table, he started to freak out. I had to pick him up, and may I add he is a heavy 86 lb. boy, and carry him into the room. All I can say is good thing I lift some weights.

So After describing to the vet what sounds Reese would make when the sneezing occurred. The vet said “its hard to say exactly what it is, but it is common and we refer to it as a backwards sneeze.”

The backwards sneeze is also known as the reverse sneeze. Owners become concerned when their pet makes these noises, some even fear that their pet cannot breathe. Reverse sneezing usually goes away within seconds, but some pets can have this condition their entire lives.

Causes of reverse sneezing can be due to allergies, viral infections, excessive soft palate tissue and nasal mites.

Some cases of reverse sneezing are idiopathic, which means that there is no identifiable cause.

Backwards sneezing or reverse sneezing results from something irritating the nasopharynx, which causes the loud snorting noise.

Usually, with this condition there is nothing to worry about. However, I was worried so I took Reese to the vet.

The vet gave him Benadryl, like the human form but five times stronger. He has to take it three times a day, which equals 150 milligrams.

Talk about being drowsy. However, he has not been “reverse sneezing” as much.

So the trip to the vet was worth it, even though Reese was mad at me for the rest of the day.