Odd Breathing Problem with my poodle! Video

[MysticRealm]

So my Mini poodle, Stryder, has developed a breathing problem within the last couple of months. He does kind of a reverse sneezing thing and he does this for between 1-5 minutes generally atleast once a day. Sometimes he will do a few HARD sneezes in a row too. He also throws-up sometimes after or during his breathing episodes, though I think this is like when some people cough really hard they sometimes throw up. The throw up is mostly mucous (clear) with just a tiny amount of food in it. My older dog Bear sometimes does reverse sneezing but generally not more than maybe once a month, if that, and doesn't puke or sneeze from it.
Other than these few episodes Stryder is totally fine with his breathing and can run and play with no problems. I don't think that running and playing triggers it either as his most normal time to get it is at night (either just as I go to sleep, or during the night), though he does get it at different times during the day.

I tried to get a video of him doing it and did manage to get one. He doesn't do it very hard in this video. If you watch it you will see that at one point he stops for a second then keeps going. After he begins again it's a bit harder for a couple breaths and that's generally more like what it sounds like (rather than the lighter version at the very beginning). Turn up your sound a bit so you can hear him over the tv (sorry I didn't think aout the sound of the tv getting in the way)

Please tell me what you think. If he keeps doing it this hard and throwing up I will take him to the vet but if you guys have seen it before and know what's going on that would be great to know.

Here's a link to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK-kT2PGUrM

 

[bubbatd]

Personally I'd vet ASAP.

 

[dr2little]

So my Mini poodle, Stryder, has developed a breathing problem within the last couple of months. He does kind of a reverse sneezing thing and he does this for between 1-5 minutes generally atleast once a day. Sometimes he will do a few HARD sneezes in a row too. He also throws-up sometimes after or during his breathing episodes, though I think this is like when some people cough really hard they sometimes throw up. The throw up is mostly mucous (clear) with just a tiny amount of food in it. My older dog Bear sometimes does reverse sneezing but generally not more than maybe once a month, if that, and doesn't puke or sneeze from it.
Other than these few episodes Stryder is totally fine with his breathing and can run and play with no problems. I don't think that running and playing triggers it either as his most normal time to get it is at night (either just as I go to sleep, or during the night), though he does get it at different times during the day.

I tried to get a video of him doing it and did manage to get one. He doesn't do it very hard in this video. If you watch it you will see that at one point he stops for a second then keeps going. After he begins again it's a bit harder for a couple breaths and that's generally more like what it sounds like (rather than the lighter version at the very beginning). Turn up your sound a bit so you can hear him over the tv (sorry I didn't think aout the sound of the tv getting in the way)

Please tell me what you think. If he keeps doing it this hard and throwing up I will take him to the vet but if you guys have seen it before and know what's going on that would be great to know.

Here's a link to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK-kT2PGUrM

How old is Stryder? Have you seen your Vet about it?

I just love the hairstyle He looks like a Rocker Poodle, so cute!

 

[MysticRealm]

Thanks guys. Stryder is a yr and 8 months. I haven't seen the vet yet b/c other than these few episodes he has absolutely no problem at all, though I might go this weekend if the vet has time.

 

[nancy2394]

is he trying to cough up a fur ball or something? My pug used to do that until he coughed up whatever was gagging him.

 

[dr2little]

Thanks guys. Stryder is a yr and 8 months. I haven't seen the vet yet b/c other than these few episodes he has absolutely no problem at all, though I might go this weekend if the vet has time.

I'm really not sure about the reverse sneeze in poodles, there are poodle people on here that can tell you if they typically do this.

I know that one of my Chi's and one of my Brussels do this but not as often as you're describing. Now that you have the video, what about emailing it to your Vet when you book an appointment. That way he/she can see it first hand and give you a difinitive answer with the appropriate exam to be sure.

 

[MysticRealm]

Thanks for the replies. Hmm, that's a good idea to email it to the vet. I don't know if she has an email but I will check.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Um, my grandparents poodle did something like that and it ended up that she had cancer.. so, I don't want to worry you, BUT, I would vet ASAP.

 

[MysticRealm]

Oh greif, now I am worried

 

[BSan]

My 12yr.old lab (rest in peace) Benny did the same kind of reverse sneezing. It seemed to start after a surgery, and vaccinations which he had at the same time. He was put on antibiotics, but continued to have the same symptoms. I went to another vet, and the possibility of a reaction to the bordatella vaccine was given to me as a possible explanation. He was put on a different antibiotic, and gradually it went away, but it took a long time. I sort of remember it coming and going, and I wondered if it was an allergy. I am not sure that we knew exactly what was going on. It is a good idea to take your doggy to the vet. Better to take him while symptoms are minimal, rather then waiting. I hope everything will be fine.

 

[MysticRealm]

Thanks guys. Maybe I can combine it with his yearly vet check (thought that would make his yearly vet check a month and a half early, is that ok?)

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I dont want to worry you but I wanted to share my experience with it...

 

[MysticRealm]

Thanks, I just really hope that's not what it is. My mind is wandering more to possibly a injury to his esophagus (sp?). My vet said when he was a puppy he had a soft esophagus. I really hope that isn't it or if it is that is cureable. I had started out with walking him in a harness but that rubbed away all of his hair plus I was wanting to show him conformation so he needed to go on a collar (he grew to big though anyways so I can't show him) so that's why we put him on one.

 

[MysticRealm]

So I made a vet appointment for Stryder for Monday, combining it with his yearly vaccinations. I would still like to know what everyone thinks of this tho.

 

[Doberluv]

It might be the trachea compressing, not uncommon in small breeds. My Chi's do that....or something like that. But see a vet to make sure it's not something serious. I hope everything will be OK. Let us know.

 

[bubbatd]

Let us know ..........

 

[Twilight]

Looks to me like a reverse sneeze
My boxers do it all the time
if it is that, then its nothing to worry about

 

[MysticRealm]

THanks guys.

 

[poodlesmom]

Seems very similar to what my Chloe has done since she was a young pup. She will be 6 yo this month and luckily it has never developed into anything. I haven't seen a pattern to anything that brings on an episode and as soon as one is over she is fine.

Sending good vibes that the vet appointment shows no problem!

 

[Doberluv]

Thanks, I just really hope that's not what it is. My mind is wandering more to possibly a injury to his esophagus (sp?). My vet said when he was a puppy he had a soft esophagus. I really hope that isn't it or if it is that is cureable. I had started out with walking him in a harness but that rubbed away all of his hair plus I was wanting to show him conformation so he needed to go on a collar (he grew to big though anyways so I can't show him) so that's why we put him on one.

The esophagus is relatively soft and stretchable so food can get through, even large pieces. It's the trachea which has cartilagenous rings around it to keep it open for air and it's not flexible....or shouldn't be. And it lies in front of, or anterior to the espaphogus so it is even more vulnerable to injury by collars. That cartilege can be broken. In many toy breeds there exists a condition where those cartilagenous rings are not very firm, (just born that way) rather soft and the trachea at times will collapse which closes it a little and they have momentary difficulty breathing. (Are you sure your vet said that the esophagus was soft and not the trachea?)There doesn't seem to be any worsening of the condition and it's not life threatening to the best of my knowledge. However, it is disturbing when they have a little episode. My little girl gets it when she gets too excited. Just plain exercise doesn't bother her. It might have something to do with irregular breathing which sets it off....but sometimes they just get it anyhow. Jose does it sometimes out of the blue but not that often. There's a real gasping for air though, a little more dramatic than reverse sneezing appears because it's like they just can't quite catch their breath.

On your video, it was hard to distinguish (for me) between that and reverse sneezing. I couldn't hear very well because of background noise in the video. There is a different sound because the sucking air coming through the mouth, not so much the nose like reverse sneezing, which I am familiar with. My dogs do it sometimes too. However, if it is reverse sneezing and it's happening excessively, I'd want to know if there's something going on which is causing it, be it an allergy or a foreign body up in the pharynx or sinuses. I'd want to take the dog's temperature and see if there's any sign of infection. So, I think a vet visit is good. Do let us know how Stryder does. I bet he will be fine.