If you’ve been told “it’s just reverse sneezing” or “just rub their throat and it’ll pass”—you’re not alone.
This is the #1 reason toy breed owners wait too long to take action.
Here’s the truth most vets don’t tell you upfront:
✋ Yes, reverse sneezing IS common in small dogs.
✋ Yes, rubbing their throat CAN stop an episode.
✋ But NO—it’s not always “just” reverse sneezing.
The Problem? They Look Almost Identical.
Reverse sneezing:
- Sudden, rapid inhalations
- Sounds like honking or snorting
- Lasts 10-30 seconds
- Dog is fine afterward
- Caused by irritation (dust, pollen, excitement)
Tracheal collapse:
- Honking or goose-like cough
- Triggered by excitement, eating, or drinking
- Gets WORSE over time
- Becomes more frequent
- Caused by weakened cartilage physically collapsing
💔 The scary part? Even some vets miss it early on.
They’ll say “it’s reverse sneezing” or “it’s normal for toy breeds”—and send you home.
But if it’s happening more often… if it’s getting worse… if your dog struggles to catch their breath…
That’s not reverse sneezing.
That’s your dog’s airway collapsing.
How to Tell the Difference:
Ask yourself:
❓ Is it happening MORE often than it used to?
→ Reverse sneezing stays consistent. Tracheal collapse gets progressively worse.
❓ Does rubbing their throat only work sometimes?
→ If the episodes are getting harder to stop, it’s likely more than reverse sneezing.
❓ Does your dog seem more tired or struggle on walks?
→ Reverse sneezing doesn’t affect energy. Tracheal collapse makes breathing exhausting.
❓ Is your dog over 5 years old?
→ Tracheal collapse typically worsens with age as cartilage weakens.
If you answered “yes” to ANY of these—your dog likely has tracheal collapse, not just reverse sneezing.
Why Vets Often Dismiss It (And Why You Shouldn’t)
Here’s what many vets won’t tell you:
🩺 Early-stage tracheal collapse doesn’t show up on regular X-rays.
It requires fluoroscopy (a specialized moving X-ray) to diagnose—which most general vets don’t have.
🩺 There’s no “cure” for tracheal collapse.
So some vets downplay it because they don’t want to recommend $3,000-$7,000 surgery right away.
🩺 They assume you’ll just “live with it.”
Many vets don’t know about at-home humidity therapy—so they tell you it’s “just how toy breeds are.”
But you DON’T have to live with it.
And you DON’T have to choose between expensive surgery or watching your dog suffer.
👉 Continue reading to discover the vet-recommended at-home solution that’s helping 22,500+ toy breed owners manage tracheal collapse without medications or surgery…