Pomeranian Reverse Sneezing: Causes, What to Do and When to See a Vet

✔ Reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Muqeet Mushtaq
DVM, University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2019
MSc. (Hons.) Animal Breeding & Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 2021

Pomeranian Reverse Sneezing: What Owners Need to Know

Reverse sneezing is often harmless, but similar sounds can be caused by more serious breathing problems.

A Pomeranian reverse sneezing episode can be frightening to witness. Your dog may suddenly stand still, extend the neck, close the mouth, and make repeated snorting or gasping sounds while rapidly drawing air inward through the nose. A typical episode is usually brief, with the dog returning completely to normal afterward.

However, not every honking, snorting, gagging, or unusual breathing sound is reverse sneezing. Pomeranians can also experience tracheal collapse, respiratory infections, nasal irritation, foreign objects, and other airway problems.

Helping Your Pomeranian During an Episode

Remain calm and reassure your dog in a gentle voice. You may briefly place your fingers across the nostrils for only a second or two. This encourages your Pomeranian to breathe through the mouth and swallow, which may interrupt the reverse-sneezing reflex and restore normal breathing. Release the nostrils immediately and stop if your dog becomes more distressed. Never obstruct the nose for a prolonged period.

Have Your Pomeranian Checked by a Veterinarian

If your Pomeranian has experienced suspected reverse sneezing, particularly for the first time, arrange a veterinary examination. A veterinarian can confirm whether the episodes are consistent with reverse sneezing and rule out other causes of abnormal breathing. Repeated, worsening, prolonged, or changing episodes should always be investigated.

Denise Leo’s experience: During more than 50 years of breeding, exhibiting, and caring for Pomeranians, I have witnessed reverse sneezing many times. My advice is to remain calm, observe your dog carefully, and record an episode on your phone if it is safe to do so. A video can be extremely helpful to your veterinarian.

Seek urgent veterinary care

Blue, gray, or very pale gums, open-mouth or labored breathing, marked abdominal effort, weakness, collapse, suspected choking, or failure to return to normal are not signs to monitor at home.

What Is a Pomeranian Reverse Sneeze?

Reverse sneezing, medically known as paroxysmal respiration, is a reflex caused by irritation at the back of the nose and upper throat.

During a normal sneeze, air is forced outward. During a reverse sneeze, a Pomeranian rapidly draws air inward through the nose, producing repeated snorting or gasping sounds.

The dog will usually stand still, extend the neck, keep the mouth closed, and flare the nostrils. Most episodes last from a few seconds to about a minute, after which the dog returns to normal.

What Causes Reverse Sneezing in Pomeranians?

A reverse sneeze occurs when something irritates the back of the nose or upper throat. Sometimes no specific cause can be identified.

Possible triggers include:

Excitement or sudden activity
Eating or drinking too quickly
Pulling against a collar
Dust, pollen, smoke, perfume, or cleaning products
Nasal discharge or postnasal irritation
Foreign material, such as a grass seed
Nasal mites or respiratory infection
An elongated soft palate or another airway problem

Frequent, worsening, or unusual episodes should be investigated by your veterinarian to identify or rule out an underlying cause.

Reverse Sneezing or Tracheal Collapse?

These conditions can sound similar, but they are not the same.

Reverse Sneezing

Repeated inward snorting
The mouth usually remains closed
The neck may be extended
The episode is generally brief
The dog returns to normal afterward

Tracheal Collapse

Persistent, dry “goose-honk” cough
May worsen with excitement or exercise
Heat and smoke can trigger coughing
Pressure from a collar may worsen it
Requires veterinary assessment

Pomeranian owner tip: Record the sound if possible and show the video to your veterinarian. Because Pomeranians are susceptible to tracheal collapse, use a properly fitted harness instead of placing pressure on the neck.

When Does Reverse Sneezing Need Veterinary Attention?

Arrange a veterinary examination if episodes are new, frequent, worsening, prolonged, or accompanied by coughing, nasal discharge, bleeding, reduced appetite, or unusual tiredness.

Seek emergency veterinary care if your Pomeranian develops:

Blue, gray, or very pale gums
Open-mouth or labored breathing
Weakness, fainting, or collapse
Suspected choking
Breathing that does not return to normal

A video of the episode may help your veterinarian identify the type of breathing problem.

How Is Reverse Sneezing Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will consider the appearance and frequency of the episodes, examine your Pomeranian, and rule out other causes of abnormal breathing.

Possible causes include tracheal collapse, respiratory infection, nasal mites, allergies, a foreign object, or a growth within the nasal passages.

Frequent or persistent episodes may require blood tests, X-rays, examination of the mouth and throat, or rhinoscopy. Bringing a video of an episode can make diagnosis easier.

Treatment for Pomeranian Reverse Sneezing

Occasional reverse sneezing usually stops without medical treatment. When an underlying problem is identified, treatment will depend on the veterinarian’s diagnosis.

Parasite control
Allergy management
Treatment for infection
Removal of a nasal foreign object

Medication warning Do not give antihistamines, antibiotics, decongestants, or human cold medication unless prescribed by your veterinarian. Repeated episodes should be treated according to their cause rather than with unproven home remedies.

Conclusion

An occasional reverse sneeze is often harmless, but unusual breathing sounds can be difficult to identify at home. If you are worried about your Pomeranian, your veterinarian should always be your first port of call.

Do not waste precious time searching the internet for a diagnosis or trying unproven remedies. Record the episode if it is safe, reassure your little dog, and show the video to your veterinarian. Online information can help you understand reverse sneezing, but only a veterinary examination can rule out more serious breathing problems and provide the care your Pomeranian needs.

Please note: while I do discuss health, care, and behavioral issues, you should never use this information as a replacement for advice from qualified veterinarians, diagnoses, or recommended treatment regimes. If you have any worries about the health of your Pomeranian, your first contact should be your regular vet or, if you don’t yet have one, a vet that works locally. Never ignore or avoid treatment and advice from your vet because of a piece of information you have read on any website.

N.B. This article regarding Pomeranian health issues was written in consultation with our resident veterinarian.

Dr. Muqeet Mushtaq
DVM, University of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2019
MSc. (Hons.) (Animal Breeding & Genetics), University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 2021