The woman whose French Bulldog 'nearly choked to death' has issued a warning to all owners of flat-faced dog breeds.
Adele O'Brien feared the worst when her dog Ernie choked on food at their home. He began 'screaming, whooping and gargling' as he experienced paroxysmal respiration, or 'reverse sneezing'.
Reverse sneezing occurs when a dog quickly inhales air, rather than exhaling as they would with a normal sneeze. It can last seconds and is common among flat-faced dogs like Ernie, reports the Daily Record. It is usually not dangerous, but if it occurs while eating dogs can choke and it can prove fatal.
