Why Pets Sneeze
Everybody does it. That is the common defense by most kids to their parents. This argument never gets a kid very far but kids will always try it. There is something in the animal kingdom that everybody does. Virtually every pet can exhibit this behavior/symptom. What can be done equally by dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, hedgehogs and even reptiles?
Sneezing is the answer. All these animals can sneeze. Sneezing can have many causes. Sometimes it is even behavioral. Small dogs can sneeze in response to becoming excited. Sneezing can be as inconsequential as a reaction to inhaling some dust to the sign of a serious respiratory infection. Let's take a look at the causes of sneezing.
Animals spend a lot of time sniffing around. Sometimes they will inhale a foreign body. This can be grass, soil or dust or even the occasional bug. Fertilizer can also be a source of sneezing and nasal discomfort. Often the animal can sneeze the object out but sometimes the object will be lodged in the nose and will require veterinary help to remove it. Signs of a foreign body can include sneezing, nosebleeds or pawing at the nose.
Occasionally and insect sting to the nose can stimulate sneezing. A sting by a bee, wasp, hornet or scorpion can irritate the nose enough to cause a sneezing cycle.
Infections of various kinds can cause sneezing. Fungal respiratory infections can cause sneezing. Another infection that can cause sneezing is an oral infections such as an infected tooth or it's root. Sneezing due to infection needs to be seen by a veterinarian to be resolved.
Nasal tumors can cause sneezing and nosebleeds. Tobacco smoke, second and third hand, has been identified as a cause of nasal tumors in pets. If your pet is exposed to tobacco smoke this is a risk to consider.
Household products such as cleaners, pesticides aerosols products and colognes can trigger sneezing in sensitive dogs. This can be true of cleaning products touted as “natural”.
Breed type makes a difference as well. The flat faced dogs such as pugs and bulldogs are more susceptible to nasal irritants as there nasal passageways are curled and twisted creating a variety of respiratory problems.
If your pet is sneezing enough that you notice it is worthy of a visit to us. Make note of any additional activity that accompanies the sneeze such as pawing at the face, or any nasal discharge that accompanies the sneeze. Also, be sure to look at your pet's face to see if there are any lumps or swellings.
If your pet is sneezing more than the occasional sneeze, give us a call.