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When an external stimulus is able to pass through the nasal hair and reaches further to irritate the nasal mucosa, it sets of the semi-autonomous response of sneezing. Occasional sneezing is normal and is generally caused by foreign substances that irritate the nasal mucosa. Sneezing can also be caused due to a sudden change in climatic temperature and humidity.

While in humans the functional aspects of sneezing have not been established, it is not considered to be a good sign in domestic pets. Sneezing in healthy dogs may be indicative of numerous conditions including upper respiratory infection in canines.

A veterinarian assessment is called for if your dog is continuously sneezing. The first thing that needs to be eliminated is the presence of a foreign substance in the nasal passage since the sneezing can be caused by something as simple as a blade of grass that is disturbing the system. In such situations too it is better to seek veterinarian help to remove the object since you may irritate and damage the mucosa in the process.

Other types of infections may also lead to sneezing in dogs. Sneezing is one of the most common early symptoms of all types of upper respiratory infections – bacterial, viral and fungal. If your dog has recently been boarded in a kennel or has been to a dog show, a fair amount of sneezing can indicate the onset of kennel cough.

Canine kennel cough is a name given to acute tracheobronchitis, a respiratory infection characterized by inflammation of the trachea and the bronchi. Parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica are the two viral and bacterial agents that are usually cause kennel cough. Although the dog recovers within ten days of infection in most cases, severe infections may lead to serious conditions like pneumonia, especially if the dog has a relatively weak immunity.

Sinusitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, is another infectious condition that may cause sneezing in dogs. Infected gums or a dental abscess can also spread and irritate nasal mucosa and lead to sporadic sneezing.

The above mentioned causes of sneezing are relatively less complicated and can be handled easily. Sneezing can also be caused due to small vascular growths on the surface of nasal mucosa. This generally indicates that the may have developed a nasal tumor that may be benign or malignant. Surgical intervention is required in most such cases.

Sneezing is not only the initial sign of disease but also a cause of spread of the condition. The speed of convulsive expulsion of air while sneezing is astronomical and in humans is estimated to be comparable to the speed of sound. The expelled air may contain as much as 40,000 droplets of suspended infectious agents. Till the time you get your dog checked by a veterinarian, isolating the dog is recommended.

We Recommend:

KC-Defense is a natural, safe and effective remedy for the treatment of acute Kennel Cough and other respiratory infections in pets; as an oral natural vaccine to immunize your pet against Kennel Cough and other viral respiratory infections; as a preventative just before a visit to the vet, to kennels or a cattery to protect against infection. KC-Defense is safe, pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards and causes no side-effects.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze

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Originally posted 2008-11-17 15:10:29.

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