Why do flat-faced dogs snore and snort so much?
Flat-faced dogs are very much known for their loud breathing and snoring behaviors. This is because of their anatomy.
They tend to have very narrowed, or stenotic, nostrils, which are often much smaller than those of your typical long-muzzled dog breeds. They also sometimes have a narrower airway, such as a hypoplastic trachea.
They can also have a very elongated palate structure, so they have a lot of tissue in the back of their throat. This can make breathing a little more of a struggle and also a little noisier than it is for the average dog.
This means that when they’re sleeping, their breathing tends to be a little louder. They tend to be snorers, and they can also breathe more loudly at rest.
Is snoring normal or is it a problem?
Snoring for these dogs can be considered somewhat normal just due to their anatomy. It creates a lot of noise in the back of the throat.
The problem we see is when snoring is accompanied by trouble breathing afterward, changes in gum color from a nice pink to blue or purple, gasping for air after waking up, or even signs of collapse.
Some cases can be milder, which would mean the snoring is more normal for them. But if the snoring is accompanied by any other worrisome clinical signs, that could be indicative of a bigger problem that needs medical attention.
What is BOAS?
BOAS, or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, is a disease process that occurs when these dogs can no longer compensate for their abnormal anatomy.
Maybe they become overheated or stressed, but some sort of airway swelling or disruption can result in an acute onset of trouble breathing, gagging, gasping for air, collapse, or purple or blue gums.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is a medical emergency and should be seen by a veterinarian right away.
Brachycephalic dog breeds like our Frenchies are very popular nowadays and super common in the United States. They’re so, so lovable, but they do have certain health concerns related to their anatomy that we have to be aware of.
I hope you learned a lot from this video today. Let us know if you have any questions.
You’re never alone in caring for your pet’s health. At Blue Oasis Pet Hospital, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Call (615) 975-2583 or email [email protected] to connect with us today.