It’s 3 AM. The house is silent. Suddenly, you hear a noise that sounds like a goose being strangled, or a pig hyperventilating. You rush to the bedroom to find your Frenchie standing stiff-legged, eyes bugging out, neck extended, making a terrifying "HONK-snoooort-HONK" sound.
You panic. Is he choking? Is it a seizure? Is he dying?
Relax. It’s a Reverse Sneeze. And while it looks like an exorcism, it is actually quite common and usually harmless.
What is Reverse Sneezing?
The scientific name is "Inspiratory Paroxysmal Respiration." In a normal sneeze, air is pushed violently OUT of the nose to clear irritants from the nasal cavity. In a reverse sneeze, the dog rapidly pulls air IN through the nose to clear irritants from the nasopharynx (the area behind the nose, above the soft palate).
Because Frenchies have elongated soft palates (there's that phrase again), the palate can get irritated or "stuck," causing a spasm. The dog tries to inhale deeply to dislodge it, creating the snorting vacuum noise.
Why Does it Happen?
Anything that irritates the throat can trigger it:
- Pollen and Dust: Just like human allergies.
- Excitement: You come home, they freak out, they start honking.
- Eating/Drinking too fast: Gulping down water can tickle the throat.
- Pulling on the Leash: Another reason to use a harness!
- Temperature Changes: Going from warm AC to cold winter air.
How to Stop It (The Magic Trick)
The episode will usually pass on its own in 30-60 seconds, but it’s distressing to watch (and to experience). You can help stop the spasm instantly with "The Nostril Trick."
- Stay Calm: If you panic, the dog panics, and their breathing gets worse. Speak in a low, happy voice. "You're okay, buddy."
- Cover the Nostrils: Gently place your hand over their nose, covering both nostrils so they cannot breathe through them.
- Massage the Throat: While holding the nostrils closed, gently rub their throat in a downward motion.
- Wait for the Swallow: By blocking the nose, you force the dog to open their mouth to breathe. This usually triggers a swallow reflex. Swallowing resets the soft palate and breaks the spasm.
Once they swallow and take a breath through their mouth, the noise stops. Give them a pet and maybe a sip of water.
Is it Ever Serious?
Occasional reverse sneezing is normal for Frenchies. However, if your dog is doing it constantly (multiple times a day), produces yellow/green discharge from the nose, or passes out (faints) during an episode, that is NOT normal. That could be a sign of nasal mites, a severe infection, or a polyp. Get to the vet.
But 99% of the time? It’s just your Frenchie being a Frenchie. A weird, noisy, lovable pig-dog.
Stay weird,
- Sophie 🐾
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