uncontrolable Sneezing

Question
I have an American Eskimo puppy, out of no where she will start sneezing,her head swings back and forth with each sneeze very fast, but she hits her face and head on the ground with each sneeze. She acts herself right after but it just started happening, could it be allergies?. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Jenelle,

How strong your dog sneezes isn't as important as how often your dog sneezes. Some dogs really sneeze quite hard, and may even hit their head on the floor as they sneeze, as you've seen your dog do.

Dogs sneeze for the same reason that people sneeze. Most dogs do not exhibit this behavior as often as we do, but it does occur and is frequently a cause of some concern.  

Examples of excessive sneezing in dogs is usually caused by allergies, infections, foreign bodies, or tumors. They are all very different and present predictable signs and patterns.

Allergies are usually seasonal and the most common ones are in response to pollen grains and other plant fibers. A food allergy would be more likely to cause itching in a dog than sneezing. With any allergy-induced sneezing it will be bilateral, which means that it affects both the right and left nasal passageways. There would also be a discharge from both nostrils.

Infections that do cause sneezing in the dog are usually more serious. It may be an infection from a tooth or its root that protrudes upward and drains into the nose. There is almost always colored discharge from the nose if a dog has an infection, and it may affect one side only or both sides.

If your dog continues to sneeze with any frequency for the next 48 hours, it's time to have her examined by your vet.

Best of luck,

Patti