[Street_Rod_Guy]

OK... I'm a newbie. My first post. So Hello to everyone..

I have a Chihuahua that I just got from my parents. He is 6 years old. My folks are getting into their 80's and decided it was getting a bit too much for them.

Every since they have had the dog (from a pup) he seems to have asthma attacks (I guess that's what it is). He does like the video below.

I've done research on it and they talk about the dog having allergies due to it's environment. They talk about such things as smoking, dust, carpet, (and I assume being outside in the grass)

In any event, my dog (now and before) has never lived in a house with smoking, dust, etc. Mom & Dad did have carpet in about 1/2 the house. Here with me we have wood floors. SO I'm sure those are none of the causes.

It seems he most often has this issue when he goes outside (hence the grass guess)... but once he gets outside it seems to not bother him after a little while. He likes to lay outside in the grass and loves to stay there for hours. I would think if the grass caused it,.. that it would get worse the longer he is outside.?? He does have this problem when he is indoors, but on rare occasions.

SO you get my concern. The vet is out of the question for now because of money. I have read that you can give them Antihistamines (maybe Children's Benadryl) and/or some type of Steroids. Not sure where I might get something like this OTC.

I'd be interested in any comments or suggestions you may pass along so I can help my dog feel better and be more comfortable.
Maybe any of your past experiences, suggestions, what to give, how you gave it, where I might get it, etc.
THANKS

 

[michele]

Is he as bad as the video ? a lot of chis do reverse sneezing when they get excited or gulp their food down

 

[Street_Rod_Guy]

no he's not as bad as the video..
This isn't quick like a sneeze,.. it's a longer breath like a snore sound in comparison. (actually is only a couple second at most. But he may do it four or five times, then he stops.)

He'll do it in the house when there is nothing to get excited about. Just be laying down and start doing it. It's all very confusing to me.

 

[michele]

It does sound like reverse sneezing,mine do it sometimes when they're just resting

 

[carrieandcricket]

Cricket has a partially collapsed trachea. That's why she makes that sound. If your are worried about it being allergies you can give them benadryl. I'm not sure how much you can give him, but others on here can tell you.

 

[jesuschick]

Reverse sneezing is perfectly normal. It is not asthma. It is common in Chis. All 3 of mine do it. Typically when overly excited and either eating or drinking too quickly.

When mine do it, it looks and sounds like this:

 

[pupluv168]

Toby also reverse sneezes. If he gets over excited or worked up, he does it. As long as it isn't constant or severe, it is normal in a Chihuahua.

 

[jesuschick]

Dog Tip: Reverse Sneezing

Reverse Sneezing – Is it Dangerous to Your Chihuahua? | Chihuahua Dog Care

 

[AussieLass]

My tiny Chi does this all the time, as did my Mini Foxy. I simply apply a little pressure to his throat frowm under the jaw down and stroke firmly but slowly - usually stops him immediately. Have also had success covering his nose momentarily. IME it doesn't cause them any pain, distress or injury, it's just something they get used to, as we have to even though it's alarming.

 

[quinnandleah]

So glad I read this thread. Eva does this sometimes and my mom thought something was wrong with her. If you pick her up and pet her she settles down.

 

[riverofchange]

Oreo does the reverse sneezing, she coughs and hacks to the point she will throw up. When she gets an attack I pick her up, gently massage her throat and blow real hard into her nostrils, this causes her to gasp and opens her trachea. I will give her some cough drops if it keeps happening and I can't pull her out of it.

 

[woodard2009]

It's definitely reverse sneezing & not asthma. The trick to gettng them to stop is to stay calm and rub their neck gently while saying to them "it's alright, calm down" in a calm voice. I wouldn't make them drink or eat ice while they're doing that because they could choke & your excitement is keeping her doing it. When you do get some money, it wouldn't hurt to have her examined by a vet to make sure the trachea isn't colapsed.

 

[omguthrie]

No cough drops for dogs. They only work because we keep them in our mouths and suck on them releasing the meds onto our throats. The dogs would just try to chew them and swallow them or, worse, swallow them whole and choke on them! Cough drops just aren't meant for any species other than humans!!

When my dogs (border collies included, this isn't just a chihuahua thing) start reverse sneezing it always seems to be after they've been sticking their noses in random places, in the grass, under the couch, between the dog beds, etc. I figure they just sniff up a little piece of dust or foreign matter into their noses or sinuses and are trying to snort it out. I just hold their muzzles and blow a sharp, quick breath of air into their nostrils and they almost always stop.

 

[missydawn]

Mine does this too

 

[riverofchange]

I should have clarified on the cough drops, they are all natural and I suck on them without swallowing then spit it out when it has melted and let her drink it from my hand, I know sounds gross but it eases the irritation caused by the hacking.

 

[susan davis]

Please don't blow 'real hard' into your chihuahuas nose! A little puff is fine. You could possibly do harm to her trachea and lungs by blowing too hard! Gently!! Sue

 

[Mommy2Odin]

I should have clarified on the cough drops, they are all natural and I suck on them without swallowing then spit it out when it has melted and let her drink it from my hand, I know sounds gross but it eases the irritation caused by the hacking.

That actually sounds really sweet.lol. Im sure I would do the same