I hope some of you dog-lovers can help me.

My little silky terrier, Tobi, once in a while, after he's been outside, starts shivering in waves and acts like he's going to throw up. After a while it passes off. I don't know if he's sick or what, he does want to eat grass.

???

Grass eating isn’t always a sign of stomach upset, for some dogs simply enjoy chewing on it or like the taste of grass. It is often a sure thing that if they do ingest it that vomiting follows. There is a wide range of reasons for shivering but not limited to fear, pain, chronic pain, sensitivity to cold, nervous energy, anticipation of certain events or activities, arthritis, some forms of anemia, and neurological problems

It would be real helpful in sorting your pets problem if you have a video recorder and film your pet during one of these episodes. Video’s and detailed logs of daily activities are quite helpful in this situation because often these symptoms aren’t seen during a veterinary visit.

There is the possibility that you are witnessing a Pharyngeal gag reflex, better known as a reverse sneeze. During one of these spasms the owner usually hears a gasping for air, gagging, or honking noise which sounds more like the dog is trying to inhale the sneeze. Sometimes the pet is in a position in which it looks and sounds as if it is about to retch.

During this episode the neck will be extended and the chest expands as the dog tries harder to inhale. Problem is, that the trachea has narrowed and it is more difficult to get the normal level of air into the lungs. Anything that irritates the throat can produce a reversed sneeze. Excitement, eating / drinking, pulling on leash, allergies and so on. This is predominately seen in small dogs but larger dogs also experience it as well.

Treatment for reverse sneezing is rarely needed unless it is chronically occurring in which the veterinarian will need to do a closer examination of the mouth, throat and nasal passages. During a spasm, massaging the dog’s throat is often effective enough to halt it. Some have found it helpful to blow briefly in the dog’s face to get the dog to swallow. Depressing the tongue gets the dog to open its mouth and aids in getting air through the nasal passages.


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Wow, piggins, what a lot of useful information! Thank you very much, all that is new to me. I have really learned something about dogs today. Thanks again.

Good advice, Piggins!!! My elderly Chihuahua does this, and I will rub on his throat, not sqeezing, but a firm-handed massage, and he will stop it in a few minutes. I have never heard of blowing in the mouth, but I will try it if his episodes get longer! I found him on the streets, so I have no idea of his age. I also do this with my Akita... takes a bit longer, but it does help! Key word is MASSAGE, not squeeze!
Skye.

my 14 year old chihuahua does this too, and rubbing the throat seems to help. it's usually over with in less than a minute.

This does work on the bigger dogs. As I said, I have to do it now and again with my 115 lb Akita, but with her, it seems as if she is getting no air. With the bigger dogs, you do need to do it a bit harder, a BIT harder, and it takes a bit longer, too.
Skye.