Snoring and Noisy Breathing (Stertor) in Dogs
Key takeaways
Noisy breathing, or snoring, is common in dogs resulting from resistance to airflow in the nose and throat (upper airways).
- Low-pitched snoring is referred to as “stertor” and is sometimes accompanied by difficulty breathing, retching, or coughing
- Most respiratory noise is caused by excessive, or abnormal soft tissue in the upper airways
- Noisy breathing is most commonly associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in push-faced breeds (e.g. French bulldogs)
- Other causes include abscesses, foreign bodies, neuromuscular disease, laryngeal paralysis, and tumors
- Diagnostic tools include physical examination, blood work, and diagnostic imaging
- Biopsy may be recommended in some cases
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include surgery. anti inflammatories, antibiotics, and steroids
- Prognosis varies depending on the underlying cause and severity
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A closer look: Snoring and Noisy Breathing (Stertor) in Dogs
Snoring is common in many dogs while they are asleep. Mild to moderate snoring that doesn’t disturb sleep is a normal process and doesn’t require veterinary attention.
Snoring (stertor) that continues when the dog is awake, or occurs during periods of exercise, excitement, heat, or stress is abnormal and requires veterinary attention.
Both stertor (snoring) and stridor (wheezing) are common in brachycephalic (push-face) breeds, such as bulldogs, pugs, and shih tzus. While the respiratory noise is commonplace in these breeds, it is not normal and indicates underlying conditions that usually require treatment.
Sudden onset stertor or stridor requires prompt veterinary attention. Any dog having difficulty breathing requires emergency veterinary attention.
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Possible causes
In general, snoring is caused by partial obstruction of the airway, either due to anatomical abnormalities, sleeping position, or disease.
Risk factors
Stertor describes a low pitched snoring noise and can range from being normal in some sleeping dogs, to a life threatening presentation in dogs with severe stertor secondary to a significant obstruction.
Push-face (brachycephalic) dogs are at highest risk of snoring, as are obese and overweight dogs.
Testing and diagnosis
Investigation of respiratory noise involves:
- Physical examination
- Blood work
- Diagnostic imaging
- Biopsy
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:
Medication
- Antibiotics
- Steroids
- Management of gastric reflux
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy for tumors
Lifestyle changes
- Exercise management
- Weight management
Surgery
- Correction of brachycephalic abnormalities
- Foreign body retrieval
- Tumor removal
- Laryngeal tieback
- Stenting
