My dog sometimes( mayby once every couple of days) seems to gasp for breath, he puts his head down and  draws in breath making a rasping sound , hes fine both before and after it happens and its not connected to him running ect ,sometimes hes just sitting on the sofa.It seems to last for about two mins. At first i thought he had something in his throat but it seems to be getting more frequent ,today when this happend i checked his colour and he seemed to have a slight blue tinge to his mouth ,im really worried now hes only two years old  , it seems like he feels like he cant get enough air ??? were off two the vet on monday i would just like your opinions  , has anybody got a dog that does this or have any idea as two what is causing this.      

It is always best to see a vet but it sounds like a soft pallet problem, if it is this then putting your hand across his muzzle and close the nostril for a couple of moments.

You don't say the breed but some are more prone to this than others.

My mother in laws cavalier used to do this often, but it didn't seem to do her any harm and she lived to be 11, I must admit it did sound quite worrying at the time.

My neighbours elderly terrier does this.  Scary whilst it happens but does seem to pass.

In Cavaliers it is due to the enlongated soft palate & can be stopped by GENTLY putting your fingers over the nostrils so that the dog has to breathe through it's mouth & the soft palate goes back to a normal position or gentling blowing up the nose

Both my dogs do this,it is called "reverse sneezing"
The best way i have found to stop it is by sliding a finger in the side of their mouth ,so they have to take a breath thru their mouth.
Alot of dogs suffer from this,even tho it sounds violent and is worrying at the time,it is nothing to worry about.

christine