I have a 10 wk old Shih-tzu puppy. He is my dog's puppy. He was at the vets on the 21st to get his shots. The vet said his nasal passages were smaller which was what was causing him to be a little snorty. Well now he's started to make a hacking sound off and on. It was really bad last night, sounded that way anyway but it didnt last very long. He doesnt do it all the time though. I called the vet this morning and they said it sounded like kennel cough. Well he hasnt been around any other dogs at all and he's been here since birth. My two adult dogs dont do this. So I dont know how he wouldve come in contact with kennel cough. He acts normal otherwise. He does seem to breathe harder than the other puppies did. He snorts but not always and when i do hear him breathe through his nose it seems clear. But he will sometimes breathe through his mouth off and on. My vet said to keep an eye on him for a couple more days and if he's not better to call back and probably bring him in. I just dont know if my mind can take it for a couple more days. I am just scared its something more serious. Im just looking for a little piece of mind until Thursday I guess. Has anyone come acrossed this in a puppy so young. Im scared it could be congestive heart failure or something..but everything ive read says it usually happens in older dogs. is this neccessarily true? I know nobody can tell me exactly what it is but Im nervous. Looking for other's experiences..Thanks for letting me ramble..lol

[Yogi]

CHF is not designated to senior dogs but in fact on occasion can be found in younger dogs though not as common. Usually if CHF is the issue, the dog will hack more when exerting itself where if lying or sleeping will not show the problem. The cause is fluid build up around the heart that when the heart beats faster creates pressure resulting in the dogs need to short cough or hack.
Does the dog hack more when running around then when relaxed or sleeping?
If it is CHF, it is early enough that there is meds for the dog as if CHF the dog is most likely in stage 1 so prognosis can be good. Let the vet decide.

He tends to do it more when lying around. He has done it when playing with mama but usually its more in a relaxed state.

Reverse sneezing is totally harmless, even though it can sound like the dog is about to keel over. If he's a bit snotty he's more likely to do it to clear his passages, and it's nothing to worry about. Brachycephalic dogs (the ones with the smushed-in noses) are particularly prone to it.

Congestion or irritants in the environment (dust, pollen, perfumes, etc.) can "trigger" a reverse sneezing episode in any dog. If he only does it occasionally, or only when he's congested...I really wouldn't be concerned at all. It SOUNDS scary, and the dog isn't exactly happy about it, but it's harmless and painless. You could look for possible external irritants....but if he's already congested, it looks like you've got your answer.

I have two Japanese Chins (brachycephalic) and one of them does it several times a week, while the other might only do it a couple times a year. The one that does it most often also had frequent colds as a puppy...and is just naturally more prone to a bit of congestion.

Originally Posted by 4 dog nite

Reverse sneezing is totally harmless, even though it can sound like the dog is about to keel over. If he's a bit snotty he's more likely to do it to clear his passages, and it's nothing to worry about. Brachycephalic dogs (the ones with the smushed-in noses) are particularly prone to it.

Congestion or irritants in the environment (dust, pollen, perfumes, etc.) can "trigger" a reverse sneezing episode in any dog. If he only does it occasionally, or only when he's congested...I really wouldn't be concerned at all. It SOUNDS scary, and the dog isn't exactly happy about it, but it's harmless and painless. You could look for possible external irritants....but if he's already congested, it looks like you've got your answer.

I have two Japanese Chins (brachycephalic) and one of them does it several times a week, while the other might only do it a couple times a year. The one that does it most often also had frequent colds as a puppy...and is just naturally more prone to a bit of congestion.

My pekingese also has these reactions when he goes out sometimes. That's reassuring to know. And at least I know what it's called now to talk to the vet about it if need be. Thanks.

[lil mutt]

My dog also sometimes do Reverse sneezing, it's not that common but it really makes me worry whenever she's does that...

While I am not sure it is what your dog is suffering from... I took my dog to the vet as a puppy and was told it was reverse sneezing. Whenever we come in contact with a lot of dust, she starts up. She has never had any adverse effects from it. If anything it is rather embarassing when she starts up in front of other people. They look at me like I am a horrible person because I am not concerned that she sounds like she is dying a slow and painful death.

I have found that if I distract her quickly the episodes become shorter. I have heard her sneeze normally too. Odd how, the smaller breeds have this issue. (She's a lhasa apso/chinese crested.)

SeaDancer82
~~ A Community for Pets, People and Animal Enthusiasts ~~

This is very common. You can try gently placing your fingertips over his/her nose holes. This forces the dog to open his mouth to breathe and it usually stops the reverse sneezing. It's not serious, but it does sound bad when it's happening. If it goes on for a long time or several times a day, then a trip to the vet is in order. My old dachshund used to do this and it scared him when it happened, almost like he was choking, but when I would cover his nose, he would stop.

Reverse sneezing would be one possibility, but there are other things to consider, too.

In some dogs, reverse sneezing is due to a physical deformity of the soft pallet. If this is the problem, surgery may help.

Stenotic nares, which is the medical term for nostrils that are too small, could cause him to hack and gasp for breath.

Collapsing trachea can also cause a hacking coughing.

And I wouldn't rule out kennel cough, just because your pup hasn't been anywhere but your home. Kennel cough is airborne. That means it can come floating in the window or an open doorway. You can carry it home on your clothing or hands. Your adult dogs may not have it because their immune systems are more mature. Fortunately, it's rarely serious. More like a cold in humans.

[Sandy M]

I had to join to post and I lost the thread I was on! I just got a 6 mth old chiauhauh puppy. I got her last Wed. My family came over on Friday and my grandson played with her most the day. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but I went to bed Fri Night and she started making the most horrible sounds, LOUD... like a honk and a snort and a gag. This went on ALL night. Sat it went on all day, but not as frequent, but frequent enough. She still hasn't stopped. She did it during the night last night too. I have read and watched youtube on reverse sneezing. I'm not sure if it's that or a collapsed trachea. I can't get to the vet until tomorrow. She weighs only about 3lbs. I am hoping that from doing this all night the first night, that maybe she just irritated her wind pipe? I haven't read where reverse sneezing goes on all night and day. I am beside myself. Has this happened to anyone else where it goes on so long? I'm really scared for her. She acts normal as far as wanting to chase the cat or play, but very tired too. I hope I am making sense. I did give her a quarter of a benedryl. Did I do wrong???? Desperate here... And thank you for any feedback.

[Lara's mom]

From the sound of your post, what's going on with your dog appears to be more serious than what is happening with the other dogs in this thread. The only thing I can suggest in to get to the vet a.s.a.p. It really sounds as if something different may be happening to your baby.

[Sandy M]

Thank you. I am taking her in this morning and hoping it isn't horrible. could it be bronchitis? I am beside myself with worry over this poor baby. Thank you again

[Lara's mom]

I was kind of thinking that it could be a respiratory infection. If that is what it is, a round of antibiotics should clear it up.

[CorkyMax]

I hope there is not an obstruction--How old is your grandson and hopefully the dog didn't swallow something it shouldn't have! Let us know what you find out from the vet! Hope everything is easily solved.
It seems this happened after your grandson was playing with the dog all day. I hesitated to mention this before so I didn't post a reply before---But I think I would question your grandson (I have no idea how old your grandson is--guessing around 8-9) He may know if the dog got a hold of something it shouldn't have--intentionally or not! I wish I would of replied before on this so that you could of checked out this possibility and also so you could of specifically asked the vet about an obstruction or something stuck in the poor puppy's throat.

[Sandy M]

Hi.. I had thought of that too, but he is very good with pets. She is at the Vet's right now. When I described to the girl what was going on, she said it could be kennel cough. I did get her from a lady who has other 'adoptees'. So I am praying that is all it is. But I'm scared because she is only about 3lbs and how much can she take. She is in good hands and I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting for a reply. Thank you again so much for your reply!

[Sandy M]

Thank you for all your feedback. Chula has/had a severe case of kennel cough. The vet said she came with it. She is so much better now. BIG THANKS!!!!! I'm SO relieved!

[Lara's mom]

I'm so glad to hear that everything turned out well!

[CorkyMax]

Me too!