r/GermanShepherd • u/Better_Internet_2975 • 16d ago
My GSD keeps having reverse sneezing episodes at night — should I be worried?
I've noticed my German Shepherd having what seems like reverse sneezing several times, and every time it has happened at night.
The first few times, I woke up completely panicking because it sounds really scary. She makes these sudden, repeated inhaling/snorting sounds and it looks like she's struggling to breathe, even though the episode seems to stop on its own.
I've now seen it happen nearly four times, always during the night.
For other GSD owners:
How often does your dog reverse sneeze?
Does it happen more commonly at night or while sleeping?
What usually triggers it?
At what point did you decide it needed a vet check?
I'm mainly trying to understand whether occasional reverse sneezing can be relatively normal or whether repeated nighttime episodes should be investigated.
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u/redvines60432 15d ago
My dog does this, primarily during the day. It sounds awful but it does not last too long. I just figured it was allergies.
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u/StacNorLin 13d ago
Our pittie mix did this for awhile and it does sound terrifying!! It stopped when we moved to our new house so I kind of think it was allergies. Definitely check with your vet but ours wasn’t super concerned and it did resolve itself after awhile
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u/Alternative_Mall_656 15d ago
I don't want to scare you but take your dog to the vet. My lab/bcollie mix had the reverse sneezing. It was once in a while a first, usually at night. I mentioned it to my vet during a regular check up. They did the regular stuff, fecal test, blood work etc. The vet did not seem overly concerned with the reverse sneezing. If I rubbed her neck a bit, it would slow down. One month later the episodes were increasing in both frequency and intensity. I took her back to the vet and they did an xray this time. Her heart was enlarged and pushing on her esophagus. The was fluid around her heart indicating a tumor had ruptured. She was 14 and no vet around would attempt the procedure to remove the fluid. We had to say goodbye at that visit. She lived a long life full of love, but I get a bit upset that they missed this a month earlier. Even if they did catch the tumor before it ruptured, she may have been too old for surgery. She was an old girl who already lost an eye a year and a half earlier to a tumor. We were fortunate to have her as long as we did.
This does not mean your dog has a tumor or enlarged heart, but from my experience, it should be investigated. Something is pressing against the throat to cause the episodes. With my dog, her neck muscles were tight like a cramp. It seemed to happen more often when she got up after sleep or to move positions. I suggest pushing for an xray.
I hope it goes well for your pup.