Have you noticed that your dog snores very loudly and you wonder if it's normal? Has it started doing it recently and you want to know if you should go to the vet?
In this article on our site we will explain why a dog snores and we will learn to differentiate when a snore can be completely normal or, for on the contrary, it is indicating that the dog has some pathology.
These cases are usually more frequent in brachycephalic dogs, with an anatomy that makes them more prone to snoring. We will also see what measures we can take to promote breathing in these dogs.
My dog snores when he sleeps
Before explaining why a dog can snore, we must make it clear that sometimes, when the dog is asleep, it adopts postures in which its nose is compressedand, hence, by blocking the passage of air, snoring occurs. This situation is not worrying.
If we move the dog, the snoring usually stops immediately. On the other hand, if our dog snores awake it may be due to any of the causes that we will mention below. Finally, if our dog snores when we pet him it would not correspond to a pathology either, since it is a sound that he emits in relaxation.
My dog snores when breathing
First we will see why a dog snores without being brachycephalic. Snoring is caused by an obstruction in the flow of air and among the most common causes are the following:
- Foreign bodies: Sometimes there are small objects that get into the dog's nasal cavity and can partially or completely block the passage of the air, causing snoring. We are talking about spikes, plant fragments and, in general, any object with the right size to enter through the nostrils. At first the dog will sneeze to try to expel it and will rub with its paws. When the foreign body remains in the nose it can cause an infection. In these cases we will see a thick secretion coming out of the affected nostril. Unless we see the object appear to be able to remove it with tweezers, we must go to the vet so that he can locate and remove it.
- Respiratory Tract Conditions: A runny nose can also clog the nose to a greater or lesser extent, making it difficult to breathe and allows us to hear the snoring. This secretion can be more or less thick and have different colors. Behind it there may be a rhinitis, an allergy, an infection, etc. The dog will present other symptoms such as nausea, eye discharge, cough or sneezing depending on the disease it suffers from. The veterinarian will be in charge of diagnosing and treating.
- Nasal polyps: These are growths from the nasal mucosa that look like a cherry with a stem, which is the base of the polyp. In addition to obstructing the passage of air, which is what causes snoring, they can cause bleeding. It is possible to remove them with surgery but you have to know that they can come back.
- Nasal Tumors: Especially in older dogs and breeds such as Airedale Terriers, Basset Hounds, Bobtails, or the German shepherd, tumors can be found in the nasal cavity. It is common for the affected nostril to discharge discharge or blood. Larger tumors come to deform the dog's face. If they manage to affect the eye they can protrude it. The treatment of choice is surgery, although malignant tumors are usually very advanced and it may only be possible to prolong life, not cure, based on surgery and radiotherapy.
As we see in all these situations, what happens if our dog snores is that he is not being able to breathe properly. We must go to the vet.
Brachycephalic dog syndrome
Although the circumstances that we have discussed in the previous section can also affect brachycephalic dogs, the explanation why these dogs snore can be found in this syndrome.
Breeds such as the pug, the Pekingese, the chow chow and, in general, any dog with a wide skull and short snout, due to its own anatomy, usually presents obstructions in the respiratory tract ranging to produce snoring, snorting, snorting, etc., which are aggravated by heat, exercise or age.
In brachycephalic dog syndrome these malformations usually occur:
- Nasal stenosis: This is a congenital problem. The openings of the nose are small and the nasal cartilage so flexible that when inhaling it obstructs the nostrils. The dog snores, breathes through its mouth and sometimes has a runny nose. It can be solved with surgery to enlarge the openings, although not all dogs need it because in some the cartilage can harden before they are six months old, so they wait until this age to intervene, except in an emergency.
- Elongation of the soft palate: This palate is a mucosal flap that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing. When it is elongated, it partially obstructs the airways, producing snoring, nausea, retching, etc. Laryngeal collapse may occur over time. It is shortened with surgery and must be done before the larynx is damaged. It is congenital.
- Eversion of the laryngeal ventricles: these are small mucosal pockets towards the interior of the larynx. When there is prolonged respiratory obstruction, these ventricles enlarge and turn over, increasing the obstruction. The solution lies in its removal.
Handling the snoring dog
Now that we know why a dog snores, here are some measures we can take in case our dog shows difficulties respiratory:
- Clean the nostrils daily. We can use whey.
- Use harness instead of collar.
- Avoid exposing the dog to high temperatures.
- Walking through shaded areas.
- Always carry a bottle of water to refresh the dog.
- Control food and water to avoid choking, which we can do by offering small portions, raising feeders, etc.
- Avoid obesity.
- Do not encourage moments of stress or excitement or allow intense exercise.
