I have two chihauhas, a 3.2 lb male, and an 8 lb female. Yesterday the
male started doing a weird thing. It was like he was choking, or had
athsma, or was trying to cough up a hair ball. This lasted for 5
minutes or more, and the poor guy looked exhausted when he finally
stopped. He has done this a few times before.

Today, the female did the exact same thing. I have not had any
problems like this out of her. She is 3 years old, and the male is 1.
Her spell lasted about 3 minutes.

Does anyone know what this may be?

Environmental allergies and heartworm come to mind as two possible
causes. In any event it sounds as though a trip to the vet is in
order.

Possibly be a trachea problem seen in alot of smaller dogs. Use a
harness instead of a leash on a collar when walking dog. Let groomer
know not to use noose on neck either.

So heart worms would make them snort like that? What causes heart
worms?

On 30 Apr 2005 20:02:04 -0700 whittled these words:
I have two chihauhas, a 3.2 lb male, and an 8 lb female. Yesterday the
male started doing a weird thing. It was like he was choking, or had
athsma, or was trying to cough up a hair ball. This lasted for 5
minutes or more, and the poor guy looked exhausted when he finally
stopped. He has done this a few times before.

Today, the female did the exact same thing. I have not had any
problems like this out of her. She is 3 years old, and the male is 1.
Her spell lasted about 3 minutes.

Does anyone know what this may be?

http://www.vetinfo.com/drevsnz.html

--
Diane Blackman
http://dog-play.com/
http://dogplay.com/Shop/

My friend has a chihauha that does the same thing - just gently massage
their throat (underneath) up and down and it will stop almost immediately

David

wrote:

I have two chihauhas, a 3.2 lb male, and an 8 lb female. Yesterday the
male started doing a weird thing. It was like he was choking, or had
athsma, or was trying to cough up a hair ball. This lasted for 5
minutes or more, and the poor guy looked exhausted when he finally
stopped. He has done this a few times before.

Today, the female did the exact same thing. I have not had any
problems like this out of her. She is 3 years old, and the male is 1.
Her spell lasted about 3 minutes.

Does anyone know what this may be?

said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

So heart worms would make them snort like that?

Yes. Many heart problems result in fluid retention in the dog's
lungs - coughing, gagging, and, I suppose, snorting are possible
symptoms.

What causes heart worms?

It's cycle which involves infected dogs, mosquitoes, and a
period of warm temperatures. A mosquito takes the blood of an
affected dog, incubates the worm's early stage (microfilae) for
a couple of weeks, and transfers them to another dog where they
grow into heartworms. The preventative is very effective.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

My Chi does the same, I was going to suggest massaging underneath the throat
lightly the same as David. It does work

--
Donna
www.geocities.com/raindancer411
www.geocities.com/sweetdreameruk21