Asthma Attack?!

It is good that you are taking Wiggles to the vet to make sure it isn't anything serious. Zoe does reverse sneezing and when I first heard her do it I thought she was having an asthma attack. It is a wheezing sound and to me it sounds like she can't catch her breath. Maybe it is just something like that? When Zoe has one of these attacks, I just try to keep her calm. I have also read that stroking their throats or holding your hand over their nose for a second can help. Usually Zoe's attacks only last about 30 seconds. I guess this reverse sneezing is pretty common in some dogs.

Maybe that is what it is. It does sound like she is wheezing up it sounds almost like she is trying to sneeze but can't. All I know is that we were both so worried about her last night! :(

It's probalby reverse sneezing as Zoe said. Many dogs with shorter noses do it frequently, but i suppose it could happen to any dog. Even occassionally Jude will do it. It's really not that big of a deal if that's what it is. Sounds much worse than it is too. It can be embarassing when you are in the show ring with a bunch of reverse sneezing chihuahuas--some of them get it so bad that can't even walk right :)

I was going to suggest the reverse sneezing thing too. My oldest, a border collie mix, does this alot. The first time it hapened, it scared the crap out of me too. Now whenever this happens, usually when she gets really excited, we just try to calm her down and ride out the fit. Hopefully this is Wiggles problem and it is not anything more serious. Let us know!!

Thanks guys! I will keep you posted.

Maddie is the first dog I have ever had (out of about 20) who "snarks." It terrified me the first time she did it because she looked so pitiful,and seemed to be looking to me for help. When I asked the vet, he explained the reverse sneezing phenomenon, but if he told me WHY they do it, I don't remember. He told me to put my hand lightly over her nose so she sort of has to catch her breath. This usually helps the first time, but sometimes I have to do it again. If you leave them alone, they will eventually stop it on their own, but I always want to help her when she looks at me so pitifully. She always lets me do it, and doesn't try to get away, so I'm sure it is reassuring to her. Sydney, who is her biological sister, has never snarked, but is not as "busy" as Maddie. To me it almost seems like the same phenomenon as when a human talks too much or too fast and gets the hiccups from swallowing air.

That's funny Doggrel! We call it snarking, too!! Hoover does it more than me, but I have a good snark once in a while. I'm sure that's all it was Wiggles, but you're doing the right thing by getting looked at by your vet.