Hi Velma,

What you are describing sounds a lot like a pharyngospasm. This question always frustrates me when it is on-line, because I actually do an excellent impression of this noise in my office to my clients, and then they usually smile and point and say "YES, that's the noise!!!". If it is what I think it is, it is a harmless reflexive contraction of the muscles of the pharynx (throat). The dog will stop and have a little reverse sneezing fit with loud wind-sucking noises, and then it will be completely over. Dog's that exhibit this reflex, will often have several episodes of this each week their entire lives. Some owners will report that it is more common in the summer months.

There is nothing that can be done to prevent it, but it is not harmful to the dog in any way. When it is occurring, you may be able to stop it by getting your dog to swallow. This can most easily be done by getting them to drink water, or by gently rubbing underneath the dogs neck (in the throat area). If he will not drink water out of a dish while having the attack, then you can squirt a small amount of water into the corner of his mouth using a medicine dropper or oral dosing syringe.

If this behavior continues, I recommend that you take your dog in for a visit to the vet just to make sure that there are no abnormalities to his nose or throat.

I hope that this information is of help to you, and I wish you the best of luck with your dog. If you have further questions about this matter, please just let me know and I would be happy to address them for you. If not, then please click on the "accept" to show that you were satisfied with your service.


Dr. K