AboutPatti Expertise To date, I've owned 7 dogs, all of which have lived into old age.
Having cared for them in all stages of life, I feel I can offer sound advice to other pet owners, and people considering getting a dog.
I am knowledgeable about the AKC (American Kennel Club) dog breeds, training and exercise, caring for sick and elderly pets, feeding, as well as many holistic treatments pets can benefit from.
My only request is that you write me using standard English and punctuation.
Experience My life experience in this field is more like "on the job training" rather than an actual degree in animal welfare. You may benefit from my experiences over the past 30 years.
Aside from the dogs I've owned, I'm also involved in "breed rescue" and have fostered several dogs, all of which have been adopted to wonderful "forever homes".
I find helping people who want a dog very rewarding.
Expert: Patti Date: 7/22/2008 Subject: Difficulty breathing in elder dog
Question Our beloved German Shepard / Malamute mix is a strong 12 year old. She is just starting to show visible signs of aging. The most notable change in her is that she has seizures or attacks that appear to be asthmatic (large flaring nostrils, sucking wind and snorting). We sit with her and rub her throat and chest to get her to relax. However, these attacks happen during her sleep as well. The attacks are becoming more frequent and we are concerned. Before we take her to the vet we would like to try and isolate what is happening. Have you heard of this before? If so, what can we do to help comfort our dog during these 1-5 minute attacks? Thank you.
Answer Hi Kristine,
I'm not a doctor, but your dog's symptoms do not sound like seizures to me.
Seizures are not age related, and are not to be taken lightly. If you genuinely suspect seizure activity, you should not delay another moment in having your dog examined by a veterinarian! Untreated seizure disorder can cause brain damage or death.
What your description sounds like, is something called "Reverse Sneezing" (mechanosensitive aspiration reflex). It's also not age related, and it's not dangerous.
In a regular sneeze, your dog pushes air out through the nose; however, in a reverse sneeze, air is pulled rapidly in through the nose producing a noisy snorting effort. During a reverse sneeze, your dog will make rapid inspirations, stand still with her elbows spread apart, extend her head, and her eyes may bulge. She'll make a loud snorting sound, which might make you think she has something caught in her throat. Many people think their pet is suffocating during a reverse sneeze episode.
A reverse sneeze may look and sound disturbing – but it is not a harmful condition and there are no ill effects. Reverse sneezing attacks are generally quite brief and not life threatening. Between episodes, the dog acts normal.
The exact reason for these reverse sneezing episodes is unknown but may be related to allergies, nasal irritants, or nasal inflammation. As you've noted, the way to help stop the reverse sneeze episode is to stimulate the dog to swallow by either massaging her throat or briefly pinching off the nasal openings.
If the revere sneezing occurs frequently (daily or several times a day) and is associated with other symptoms, then further evaluation should be completed by your veterinarian.
Watch for other abnormal signs that may suggest a more serious problem including nasal discharge, bloody nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing, abnormal facial deformity over the nose area, decreased appetite and/or lethargy.
Since I'm not a doctor, and you are concerned, perhaps a trip to the vet would be the best idea, and will provide you with peace of mind.
