Looking for Advice

[brachylove]

Hi All,

I was hoping to get some feedback from the collective minds at Pug Village. My boy Bentley just turned 7 and I noticed in the past week, he has developed excessive reverse sneezing. I'm thinking he's gotten something up in his nasal cavity - like one of his deadly hairs, or that he could possibly be allergic to his new food.

I have fed him Purina One Weight Control most of his life only because I have tried to put him on other foods with no luck. On any type of regular food, he gains too much weight. I tried Blue Buffalo but it was too rich for him and upset his stomach. Recently, I weaned him over to Wellness Healthy Weight (I believe its called). He seemed to be doing really good on this food but he has only been on it exclusively for about 2 weeks.

Do you think he could be allergic to the food and be showing these symptoms after two weeks? Anyone else have any experience with this? Do you have a quality weight control food that you could recommend?

I think I'm going to pick up a bag of his old Purina One today and start mixing it with the new to try to eliminate the food as the culprit. Then if that doesn't do the trick, I'll have to take him in. He just had his annual in January and my Vet always marvels at how healthy he is (except for 1 1/2 lbs. of winter weight that we need to lose). I have a feeling that trying to find a foreign body in his nasal passage is going to be a pricey undertaking, but I will do whatever I have to, to get him feeling better again.

Any feedback on similar experiences or food ideas would be much appreciated!

[puglover22]

Hi Christa!
long time! I still love that punk-rocker pug I got from you, way back when! Missed you, good to see you back!
Sorry to hear Bentley is having some problems. I would see what the vet says, maybe they can look up his nose with a light? I'd try the old food again, it's worth a shot. I hope it's nothing serious!

[brachylove]

Hey Stephanie! Good to hear from you too! I'm so glad that the Punk Rocker Pug found the perfect home! Wow, that seems like such a long time ago....it HAS been a while. I definitely need to make more time to keep up with the PV community. :)

I do have to admit, I'm worried. My boy is generally so easy. When he doesn't feel good, its very noticeable and very alarming.

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

It doesn't sound like food allergies, which usually manifest in ear infections and itchy skin. This sounds like either seasonal allergies (Spring is in the air), possibly a new cleaner or fragrance in the home (think deodorizers, perfume, fabric softener, air fresheners, etc.) or a foreign body.

Really think about all of the products you are using in the home to any new one. Also consider things blooming and mold in the air from spring thaw.

Try a benadryl twice a day and see if it gets better.

If you can confidently eliminate all of the above, it's time to consider a foreign object...although a severe bout of reverse sneezing can irritate and swell the breathing passages and cause a vicious circle of worsening problems...sometimes a steroid can knock down the inflammation and eliminate the sneezing as well.

If the benadryl and home inspection don't help, I'd take him in.

Take care,
Lisa

[shaynapug]

I agree with Lisa!

Kelev does this sometimes! He starts and cannot stop! Benadryl does the trick.

I was told by my vet the first time it happened......that if he was still sneezing in the AM to call her and she'd give an antibiotic to make sure all was okay!

[brachylove]

Thanks so much! I never thought of seasonal allergies because he's never had any, but I do know they can develop at any time. I just gave him a Benadryl, so we'll see if that gives him some relief.

Poor guy is sitting here on my lap and seems reluctant to move around much as it tends to bring on an attack.

Thanks again!