Soft palate spasm
Soft palate spasm
A chihuahua having an episode of soft palate spasm sounds like he is gagging, struggling to breathe, snorting, honking or a wheezing sound.
This happens when the elongated soft palate is thought to be temporarily misaligned.
During one of these episodes the dog will stand stiffly and hold his neck and head out and downward. This is usualy over within a minute and usually then the dog is back to its normal self with no lasting ill affects.
During one of these spasms, the dog's airway becomes temporarily narrowed and this makes it more difficult to breath. It can be caused by anxiety, over excitement, drinking water too fast or too cold, or pulling on the lead too hard.
If your dog is having a soft palate spasm, you can persuade your dog to swallow. You can try gently stroking your dogs throat in a downward motion. If this doesn't encourage him to swallow, you can try placing your fingers over his nostrils for a second or two. Your dogs automatic reaction is to lick and this is followed by a swallow. A couple of licks will usually resolve the situation. It may take a few seconds more for your dog to fully recover, but this will usually do the trick.
A chihuahua having an episode of soft palate spasm sounds like he is gagging, struggling to breathe, snorting, honking or a wheezing sound.
This happens when the elongated soft palate is thought to be temporarily misaligned.
During one of these episodes the dog will stand stiffly and hold his neck and head out and downward. This is usualy over within a minute and usually then the dog is back to its normal self with no lasting ill affects.
During one of these spasms, the dog's airway becomes temporarily narrowed and this makes it more difficult to breath. It can be caused by anxiety, over excitement, drinking water too fast or too cold, or pulling on the lead too hard.
If your dog is having a soft palate spasm, you can persuade your dog to swallow. You can try gently stroking your dogs throat in a downward motion. If this doesn't encourage him to swallow, you can try placing your fingers over his nostrils for a second or two. Your dogs automatic reaction is to lick and this is followed by a swallow. A couple of licks will usually resolve the situation. It may take a few seconds more for your dog to fully recover, but this will usually do the trick.