Reverse sneezing' in dogs is a phenomenon that can be puzzling and worrying for pet owners. It is also known as "tracheal collapse" and occurs when a dog inhales sharply and noisily through the nose, as if trying to sneeze, but instead of expelling air, it inhales it vigorously. This is often accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
Reverse sneezing in dogs is usually caused by irritation or constriction of the trachea, which is the tube that carries air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Some of the possible causes of this condition include:
Allergies: Allergies to substances such as pollen, dust or chemicals can irritate the dog's airways, leading to reverse sneezing.
Respiratory infections: Infections such as tracheitis or bronchitis can cause inflammation in the airways, resulting in reverse sneezing.
Environmental factors: Tobacco smoke, strong odours and cold air can trigger episodes of reverse sneezing in some dogs.
Foreign bodies: Inhalation of foreign objects such as grass, hair or other foreign material can cause irritation of the trachea.
Anatomical factors: Some breeds of dogs, especially small breeds, have a genetic predisposition to develop tracheal collapse due to a weaker or abnormally collapsed trachea.
Typically, episodes of this
