07 May Dog Sneezing; Causes And Treatments

If your dog sneezes a lot, it may worry you. Although it’s normal for dogs to sneeze occasionally, excessive sneezing can indicate a possible illness. Continue reading the cause of dog sneezing with us to find the answer to this problem and understand when your dog’s sneezing can cause a deeper problem. 

Dog sneezing

While the appearance of a dog’s nose is very different from ours, his nose makeup is very similar to that of a human. The pharynx, located at the back of the throat, is the junction of the nasal passages and the digestive tract. When an irritant enters the nose or throat, the body tries to get rid of it by expelling air through the nose and mouth; this is known as sneezing and is one of the reasons dogs sneeze. The cause of dog sneezing can be from a layer of dust in the nose to a viral infection. While dog sneezes are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause deeper issues. Here we explain the most important reasons for dog sneezing. Stay tuned to the end of this article.

Irritants and foreign objects

• Dust
• Pollen and other fine particles
• Perfumes
• Cigarette smoke
• Cleaning chemicals

These items may cause the dog to sneeze and get stuck in the dog’s nose or throat and cause irritation.

Allergy

Dogs can often suffer from seasonal allergies of various types, and itching and scratching, watery eyes, and nasal discharge often accompany the cause of dog sneezing caused by allergies. Allergies may also be from food. Note that the cause of a dog’s sneezing may be an allergy to the food they eat. One theory suggests that food allergies in dogs are more common than plant-based foods. High-protein foods for dogs that react to the most common allergens include:

• Beef
• Turkey
• Dairy products 
• Lamb
• Egg
• Chicken
• Soy
• Pork meat
• Rabbit
• Fish

Viruses cause dogs to sneeze

Like people, dogs are susceptible to colds and viral infections that can make them sneeze. A dog suffering from a cold or virus usually has other symptoms, such as:

• Nasal discharge
• Cough
• Watery eyes
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

In the cold, the cause of dog sneezing can be the mentioned cases.

The role of infections on the grounds of dog sneezing

Bacterial and fungal infections in your dog’s sinuses or nasal cavities can cause your dog’s sneeze, and dental disease can reach the nasal cavity. If your dog is sneezing because of an illness, you will likely see additional symptoms in your dog. As:

• Thick or bloody discharge
• Swelling around the nose
• Loss of appetite

Take care of your dog’s infections so they don’t become troublesome.

Tooth root abscess

The roots of canine teeth are pretty long, and the deepest point is very close to the thin tissue wall separating the nose from the oral cavity. When a dog has a root abscess, it may spread to the nasal passages, causing inflammation and making the dog sneeze.

Ticks

Neospora is a type of mite that lives in the dog’s nose. It is considered one of the causes of dog sneezing. This parasite has a global distribution, but it occurs mainly in Scandinavia, and this mite, with a length of about 1 to 1.5 mm, is transmitted between dogs by direct contact.

Tumor and its relationship with the cause of dog sneezing

In rare cases, a dog’s sneezing can be caused by a nasal tumor. This is more common in older dogs over eight years old. In the case of a tumor, sneezing may be scattered and occasional at first, but as cancer progresses, it will grow more and eventually be accompanied by bloody discharge from one side of the nose.

Excitement causes the dog to sneeze!

These lovely friends sometimes sneeze when they are excited or happy to see you; Because it’s a theory that when they’re excited, they wrinkle their noses, which causes them to sneeze. So we found out that sometimes the cause of a dog sneezing at home is that your furry friend is happy to have you home.

Immune-mediated disease

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa, known in science as (idiopathic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis), occurs when the body’s immune system is overactive and causes inflammation in the nasal passages. It’s a common cause of dog sneezing and chronic nasal discharge and may cause sneezing.

Reverse dog sneeze

You will be very worried if your dog suddenly makes a biting or choking sound. However, there is often a reason for this scary sound: reverse sneezing. A reverse sneeze is when your dog spasms through his nose and inhales heavily, which appears to be caused by choking or confusion; This common and odd reflex may be thought to be a response to irritation or inflammation and may be helping your dog get rid of foreign objects, allergens, or irritants in the nose.

How to stop reverse sneezing?

In general, reverse sneezing is harmless. If your pet looks pretty uncomfortable or can’t stop the reverse sneeze, you may be able to help by gently massaging his throat or blowing his face lightly. This should stimulate the swallowing reflex, which can help reduce spasms. Getting your pet fresh air may also make him feel better. It’s unlikely that you will need medication for a reverse sneeze. But if reverse sneezing results from allergies or becomes more serious, the vet may prescribe an antihistamine.

Signs of trouble

If you notice that your dog is wheezing (the characteristic sound of a reverse sneeze) and seems unable to breathe, this could be due to sudden exercise intolerance or too much strain on your pet. It’s best to take your dog to the vet immediately, as this problem could be a sign of tracheal collapse (which is more likely to happen in smaller breeds) and is very serious in these cases.

Time to go to the vet for a dog checkup

In general, whenever symptoms of illness don’t accompany an occasional sneeze, it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. On the other hand, frequent sneezing, espec, may require intervention for no apparent reason, may r allergies are usually not a severe threat to your dog’s health; you should consult your veterinarian if your dog’s skin is itchy or irritated sneezing. If the following symptom accompanies sneezing, take your dog to the vet immediately:

• Thick discharge or blood
• Swelling
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

If your dog sneezes regularly, watch for other symptoms. Although your puppy’s sneezing is nothing special, the cause of the dog’s sneezing may require investigation.

Necessary things to prevent a dog from sneezing

• Check the nose and, using a good light source, look for nasal discharge, foreign objects, etc., to find out what is causing the dog to sneeze.
• Assess your dog’s overall health. Is he eating and drinking usually? Has he been exposed to infectious diseases recently? Have you noticed a cough?
• Use a simple saline rinse that is intended for use in human nasal sinuses. Saline serum can help moisturize the nose’s dry area and remove irritants.
• Try an antihistamine. Over-the-counter antihistamines are helpful for mild allergy symptoms. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) works well for dogs and comes in tablet or liquid form.

See a veterinarian for examination and tests.

• X-rays of your dog’s nose and skull can show inflammation, bone erosion, and tumors.
• Blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) and fungal tests help find inflammatory responses and specific fungal diseases and determine the cause of a dog’s sneezing.
• Rhinoplasty is a unique imaging procedure performed while your dog is under anesthesia. A narrow tube with a camera end is manipulated into the dog’s sinuses to look for foreign bodies, inflamed tissue, and tumors.
• A rhinoscope allows the veterinarian to collect tissue samples for analysis and cell culture.

How to prevent dog sneezing

Preventing this reaction in your dog’s body depends on the type of disease and knowing the cause of the dog’s sneezing. Always vaccinate your dog on time. If your dog’s immune system weakens, don’t take it to contaminated places (such as parks or kennels). It’s okay if your dog sneezes while playing or rolling around, but in the end, be careful where you take your dog. 

What should be done if the dog continues to sneeze?

Dogs’ most common causes of uncontrollable sneezing are nasal foreign objects, mites, or tumors. If your dog sneezes continuously, especially if it’s accompanied by nasal discharge, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.

How to know if a dog has nasal ticks?

The most common symptoms associated with nasal mites are: nosebleeds, sneezing, reverse sneezing, snoring, facial itching, nasal discharge, breathing, shaking the head, and breathing is loud and noisy.

To wrap up

Sneezing is a natural part of a dog’s life. There’s nothing wrong with a dog sneezing when he is excited. Even a random sneeze or two a day is normal. But if your dog feels weak, has a runny nose, or sneezes more than a few times a day, you should consider possible reasons. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.