just unsure

[novembermama]

Our dog, J.C., was sitting on the floor with us the other night and suddenly started to breathe, solely, through his nose and started making loud snorting noises like he was unable to breathe..  He was having a  very hard time breathing for about 20 seconds and i had him lay down. We thought he was either having a heart attack or a stroke.  After about 30 seconds, he was breathing normally, but obviously shaken up (as were we!).  He has also had some rapid breathing occasionally and seems to get overheated while sleeping sometimes.  He has also had an occasional runny nose (clear) and discharge from his right eye (which seems to be going away now).  J.C. has diabetes and is a bit overweight (but we're working on that). We know he should see the vet, but wanted to post this to see what anyone thinks may be going on with J.C..  Thank you, in advance, for any suggestions or comments.

[suzi-q]

My dog used to have that.  It is like "backwards sneezes" and nothing to worry about.  Sometimes they can also do that because of a collapsed trachea..(just a condition where the trachea closes and then opens again...usually not serious.  Then of course, there is always the possibility of congestive heart.  I would bring your dog to the vet just to be sure.

[Jaybay]

Hi Louis.  Since you need more clinical information, you'll want to post your questions to Dr. Cheng on the Ask a Vet board here at Med Help.  Under Related Expert Forums on the right side of this page, click "Pet Health" to access that forum.  Dr. Cheng is a DVM and generally answers questions in the early evenings within 24 to 48 hours.  She donates her time and expertise, so the board is free.  

[loumichael]

My pom has a horsed cough like noise in spells and triggers a gagging and a trew cough, it is not quite stridor, but makes me think of it. It happens during exalation (not inpiration phase), it seems to get alliviates when he is awaiting a food he likes. But at night he goes thru spells. I am concerned that his musces will get tired and will wuit breathing. As a small breed, he has the collapsable trachea, some reflux (not bad) and after seen the vet, was diagnosed with hypothroidism. Was prescribed lasix, clindamycin (antibiotic) and supposely is stable. I have my reservations with how advanced Veterinary medicine is and how truely they arrive to a diagnosis and target the underling true condition. I am sure his larynx is irritated and triggers more croupiness-like repirations. I am a pediatrician and I have no clue about his condition. If anyone out there has an opinion or some concrete and clinical8based evidence of what the problem may be, or what suspected outcome or treatment, I will highly appreciated. please, feel free to email me at ***@****. Thank you, Louis

[Jaybay]

I know exactly what you're talking about.  My dogs do the same thing once in a blue moon, and I'm really not sure what brings it on.  It's like a kind of a coughing fit, and can be really scary to witness.   Unless it's happening frequently, it's probably nothing to worry about.  You might give your vet's office a call first before bringing him in.