Elephants do it. So do chickens and iguanas, parrots and cats, and, of course, dogs. In fact, African wild dogs "vote" this way.
Sneeze, that is.
We've all felt that little tickle in the nose that heralds a sneeze. Dogs probably do, too, although they can't tell us about it. But their sneezes can give us clues to potential causes.
Sneezing is how the body rids itself of nasal irritants such as dust. It can also be triggered by cigarette or wildfire smoke or by scented products such as laundry detergent, cleansers, candles, hairspray or the Blenheim Bouquet eau de toilette you spritz on every morning.
An occasional sneeze is probably a response to mild nasal irritation. For instance, if sneezing is seasonal or occurs only at certain times, dogs may be reacting to the pollen of spring, or to summer wildfire smoke. However, dogs whose sneezing is accompanied by a watery nasal discharge and who rub their faces on flooring or with their paws may be suffering from inhalant allergies.
Weed pollens are common in late summer, tree pollens in spring and grass pollens in late spring through midsummer. House dust, molds, mites, wool and feathers can also contribute. If you suspect that your dog has allergies, try switching to products without scents or dyes, and ask your veterinarian about medication that can help.
Dental disease also can be linked to sneezing. An infected tooth can spread to a dog's sinuses, causing it to sneeze, cough and gag. And dogs can inhale foxtails, blades of grass, twigs or other items that become lodged in the nose. Foxtails are bushy grasses with barbs that face backward. They can migrate into the body, traveling to and damaging soft tissues and organs, including the eyes and brain. Dogs have died from migrating foxtails. Suspect this type of irritation if your dog is shaking its head, pawing at its nose or sneezing continuously.
Bacterial and fungal infections of the upper respiratory system can cause dogs to sneeze. Nasal mites picked up when dogs sniff around in the dirt cause sneezing, too. Senior dogs may develop nasal tumors that lead to sneezing. They may start to sneeze more frequently as tumors develop or may bleed on the side of the nose where the tumor is located.
