Reverse Sneezing??

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

We just recently took in two foster Chihuahuas and one of them seems to have a serious reverse sneeze issue. He sounds like he is snorting and gasping and he shivers all over, he extends his head in a downward stretched out position. He really snuffles and sounds quite stuffed up while it's happening. I have tried rubbing his throat, touching the end of his nose, but it does not help. His breath actually smells like he has a stuffy head, kind of like the smell of having a closed mouth for a long time (not sure how else to describe that). The rescue coordinator left me with some Clavamox because they had just been neutered, but I am now giving it to him for this stuffy nose, although he has been on it now for three days, I don't see any improvement. He also sneezes and snorts a lot too, although he has not coughed at all. So that rules out a kennel cough. When he has these episodes, it usually begins when he is just laying down for a nap and he really has a hard time with it for a few minutes before it subsides - he also snors quite loud in his sleep too. I know he was abused with a choke chain collar before he came to us, but this seems more in his nose than in his throat because he seems to have a hard time getting his breath during an episode and he seems to try and breath through his mouth. He generally seems fine otherwise and does not seem ill in any way, nor is his normal breathing sound stuffy in any way either?!? What are your thoughts on this?

[Traci]

It may be a bacterial infection that may not respond to clavamox (clavamox shouldn't be given without direct supervision of the vet anyway)

If there is mucous involved, chances are, there's an infection. Depending on the age of the dog, I would get him checked immediately, also to rule out potential inflammation or sinus problems, such as a polyp. An x-ray of the respiratory tract will also help rule out congestive problems/fungal disease, or even heart disease. Not saying these are the problem, but I wouldn't wait to find out.