Sneezing

Dogs and cats have an exquisitely sensitive sense of smell, which is why their noses are at work nearly all the time sniffing strangers, identifying territory, or simply saying "Hi" to other pets.

Occasionally, of course, they sniff something that they shouldn't, and then erupt in a thunderous sneeze. "Sneezing is caused by anything that irritates the nasal passages or sinuses," says John Daugherty, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Poland, Ohio.

Pollen, smoke, and dust are common causes of sneezing, Dr. Daugherty says. Even a piece of grass can make their noses a little tickly. When your pet's sneeze is accompanied by head shaking or nose pawing, there is probably something in there that she wants to get out, and the next few sneezes will probably take care of it. Once it is out, the sneezing will probably stop right away.

As with humans, dogs and cats may sneeze when they have colds, flu, or other types of respiratory infections. In cats, frequent sneezing is often a sign of feline viral respiratory disease -- cat flu, in other words. In dogs, all-day sneezing that is accompanied by a runny nose is usually a sign of canine viral infection.

"Most of the time, you are dealing with upper respiratory infections with cats," says Alan Kirmayer, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Marysville, Pennsylvania. "Foreign bodies in the nose aren't too common in cats because their noses are so small."

In rare cases, polyps and other growths can cause dogs and cats to sneeze. Even dental disease, which can spread infection to the sinuses, may be to blame, says Dr. Kirmayer.

While sneezing itself rarely causes problems, sometimes it goes on so long that the nasal passages get swollen and congested. Particularly vigorous sneezes can even result in nosebleeds.

See Your Vet If...

• Your pet is having nosebleeds
  
• She is tired and listless and is running a fever
  
• She is shaking her head or pawing her nose
  
• Your pet's voice has recently changed.
• Your pet is panting excessively
  
• Your dog or cat is coughing, wheezing, sneezing, or gagging
  
• Exercise makes him unusually tired or causes him to cough or wheeze
  
• Your pet has recently begun snoring, wheezing, or panting at night
  
• He is breathing rapidly or taking shallow breaths
  
• His belly is heaving when he breathes
  
• His nose is dry, crusty, or bleeding
  
• There is a discharge from his mouth or nose for two days or longer
  
• Your pet's tongue or gums are blue or pale

Next Steps:

• What you can do for your pet
  
• What your vet can do
  
• Find out other causes of sneezing

Copyright 1999 Rodale Press, Inc. All rights reserved.