When a dog sneezes once, it is not given much importance. But it helps to know what to do if my dog keeps sneezing because when sneezing is persistent, there may be a health problem. And it is very important to go to the vet before the problem worsens.
One indication of whether to be concerned when your dog sneezes are to examine the color of the mucus. Since dark colors indicate the presence of bleeding. And it is possible that the dog sneezes blood directly indicating an injury to the respiratory tract. So it is better to make an appointment at our veterinary clinic to have the dog examined.
Why Does My Dog Sneeze a lot?
- Sneeze while playing. To show that they are playing, the dogs sneeze although it is more common in small dogs. All dogs show this behavior. So if your dog sneezes while playing, nothing happens, they sometimes feel so excited and happy that they sneeze. Unless he does it a lot or the sneeze is accompanied by dark secretions, then, pay attention to it.
- Sneezing due to a bad smell. Sometimes dogs smell the environment air and sniffing is their way to express their discomfort and the same can happen if they inhale a rare body inadvertently. Be it a small stone, a spike, or anything else. Normally, the estrange body is expelled with a sneeze and a shake of the head. But if it gets stuck in the nose, it causes the dog to sneeze a lot. In this case, it is important to go to a veterinary center because it is the best way to remove the object without causing harm to the dog.
- Sneezing from illness. When a dog has an infection with Aspergillus, a common fungus in the grass and rural environments, the dog uses it to sneeze. Also if he contracts the canine respiratory complex, which is a general term for various respiratory diseases. Or he has a dental infection, which can spread to his nostrils. The dog will sneeze a lot. It is best to go to the vet and receive the most appropriate treatment.
- The shape of his nose can also produce sneezing in both the dogs that are flatter and those that have shorter noses. They can develop nasal obstructions. In flat dogs, this is because they have shorter nasal passages. And in the case of long-nosed dogs, when they are old they can have nasal tumors. Veterinary monitoring is very important; it is the best way to prevent health problems.
- Allergies although it is not common for dogs to sneeze from allergies. When canine atopic dermatitis occurs, the dog may begin to sneeze. Because intense itching occurs, secretions in the nose and eyes increase. So the dog has to sneeze to get relief.
On the other hand, the drops in temperatures that the arrival of winter produces, in addition to bringing large waves of cold in some parts of the world, as happens, especially in North America or Europe, affect a large part of the population with flu or uncomfortable colds that usually are always accompanied by sneezing. This gesture that seems so “human”, and it is, is also performed by dogs, but it is not always the product of a cold.
Veterinarians indicate that arousal can sometimes be one of the reasons the dog sneezes. The excitement caused by seeing his owner after a while, when he is playing or when he is very happy, often manifests itself in the form of a sneeze. Hence, these sneezes, although they may seem strange to you if they are many and very often, they are still a reason for sneezing and should not be a cause for alarm.
On the other hand, when a dog’s sneezes are accompanied by excessive mucus and irritated eyes, it can signify the presence of an allergy. Pollen, mites, or a reaction to dust are the most common factors that can cause a dog to suffer a frequent episode of sneezing.
In addition to allergies, another reason for annoying sneezing is when a dog inhales an irritating substance, the nerves of the nose tend to become sensitized, causing the dog to sneeze either with a noticeable sound or spontaneously and explosively, facilitating the expulsion of these external agents that irritate the nasal passages.
The Reverse Sneeze
Although it is probably not well known, the truth is that reverse sneezing is quite common among dogs.
While in a normal sneeze, the air is expelled through the nose, in a reverse sneeze, the air is forced inwards, abruptly, and noisily through the nose and has the same causes as normal sneezing and it is a reflection of the dog’s body. Typically, the dog stands still with his elbows spread, his head extended, his eyes bulging, and a loud snort, veterinarians explain.
Usually, it affects dogs with a flat nose and a strange sound is produced. It may indicate a respiratory obstruction. Therefore, once again, it is advisable to go to a veterinary clinic to get an accurate diagnosis. If your dog sneezes a lot it is the best thing to do.
In this sense, veterinarians talk about the spectacular nature of the sound, which sometimes alarms us and leads us to go to our veterinarian, because we tend to think that our animal cannot breathe, in principle it does not reverse gravity.
Reverse sneezing episodes typically last from a few seconds to a minute or two. As soon as it is passed, the dog breathes normally and behaves as if nothing had happened.
As you can see, although it seems a very “human” gesture, dogs also sneeze; the causes can range from an allergy to excitement by an event so you should not worry. On the other hand, if you notice that your dog keeps sneezing and can’s stop or he does it often, then it is recommended to take him to the vet.
