From the desk of Sharda Baker.
Hello and welcome everyone!
This is Sharda with a healthy pets newsletter!
Have you ever noticed your pet dog choking loudly for no apparent reason, almost as if something was stuck in their throat? 
Do they then puff out their chest with air as if they are trying to get air in and force something out?
This odd but very common phenomenon is called "Reverse Sneezing" and has caused a great deal of stress and worry in several animal owners who believed one of their healthy pets was choking to death on a bone or a piece of food.
The exact cause of reverse sneezing is still yet unknown though some vets believe it has to do with either allergies, a blocked nasal passage way or simply a genetically passed on malformation.
Healthy pets of any age can suffer from this condition and is so far not believed to cause any harm to the dog, as with a case of hiccups, a sneezing fit or a sudden gag reflex there is no dog medicine available to treat it and it should pass within 1 - 2 minutes.
WHAT IS REVERSE SNEEZING?
Reverse sneezing goes by many other names, including "mechanosensitive aspiration reflex" and "pharyngeal gag reflex" whatever you want to call this canine condition it hits a dog suddenly and without any warning.
It is easy to spot a dog suffering from a bout of reverse sneezing, because he/she will start to rapidly inhale large amounts of air into their lungs through the nostrils causing a loud snorting sound.
The dogs head will be pointed straight up, while their legs are slightly bent and knees pointed outwards; it may initially look as though your pet is coughing outwards, but really air is quickly being sucked up into the lungs.
WHAT CAUSES REVERSE SNEEZING?
A group of medical professionals studying healthy pets with this condition believe that the spasms may be linked to a genetic predisposition, as those more likely to suffer from reverse sneezing were the short-faced breeds such as shih tzus, pugs, bull dogs, boxers and boston terriers.
Though these varieties of dogs make healthy pets their muzzles are more compacted than others making it easier for the nasal passages to become blocked or spasm due to dust intrusions from around the home.
Other possible theories for what causes reverse sneezing could be an adverse reaction to cleaning products, a newly prescribed pet medication or dog supplements.
Alternatively it may be a reaction brought about by over excitement after seeing their owner, eating food too quickly or over breathing during exercise. It is usually quite easy to figure out what is causing the fits of reverse sneezing, just think back to what he/she was doing before they started sneezing and see whether it causes the fits again in the future.
If your dog suffers from constant sneezing fits then you're probably eagerly wondering what the best way to prevent and control them is. Well, unless the fits of reverse sneezing become uncontrollable or go on constantly for up to 2 weeks, then there is no real need to worry as they are not harmful to your dog.
In cases of uncontrollable bouts of sneezing where your dog is finding it difficult to breath, they should be taken to the nearest veterinarian or emergency hospital where they may be treated with antihistamines for an allergic reaction.
In healthy pets suffering from a mild persistent attacks you can try one of these methods to help stop or reduce the symptoms:
I really hope you learned a LOT of things from today's healthy pets newsletter update.
All the best and take care
Warmly,
