Is the dog making a different noise? Does it sound like snoring and is it even similar to the sound made by pigs? Is this a sign of illness? These questions are becoming more frequent with brachycephalic dogs becoming more popular as pets. So, to answer these questions this post will talk about the breathing of brachycephalic dogs and about dogs that snore.
My dog sounds like a pig
Many tutors are scared by some noises emitted by dogs. One of these noises is Snoring. Snoring can be confused with the sound emitted by pigs. This sound can happen due to anatomical changes that cause the breathed air to end up moving the palate generating a strong snoring.
Snoring in dogs commonly occurs in brachycephalic dogs due to the physical conformation of these dogs’ skulls where the snout is shorter and the nostrils are narrower, and the prolongation of the soft palate and eversion of laryngeal sacs. These physical characteristics favor that the animals present breathing difficulties that result in snoring mainly at night.
In addition to brachycephalic, other breeds can also present snoring. These snoring can happen for several different reasons, including some diseases that can cause the dog to snore constantly.
Other breeds that make noises such as snoring in addition to brachycephalic ones:
- Chow chow;
- Mastiff;
- Boxer;
- Pekingese.
Main causes of snoring in dogs
Some animals may snore due to genetic alterations, such as brachycephalic dogs. Some other causes of snoring in dogs are:
- Allergies;
- Foreign bodies;
- Tumors;
- Respiratory tract infections;
- Obesity.
Allergies
Hypersensitivity can happen when the dog starts to develop a reaction to different allergenic substances such as dust, pollen from flowers and others.
The dog’s organism, when reacting to allergenic substances, takes a serious inflammatory reaction that results in the edema of the area’s leading to their narrowing, in addition, mucus production can occur, which favors coughing and sneezing in dogs.
Foreign bodies
Dogs, when they breathe some material that they shouldn’t, tend to sneeze to expel the material. When they cannot and the material is trapped in the nasal passages, it can cause inflammation and infection resulting in edema that, in addition to increasing the obstruction, causes the animal to cough in some cases.
Tumors
Tumors are changes in cellular patterns that can form a mass in the upper dogs respiratory tract. Tumors are common in certain breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. The Benign or malignant tumors in the nasal cavity, as they lead to partial or total obstruction, make the dog snore like a pig.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Respiratory tract infections can lead to a generalized infection with edema of the region and serous and even mucopurulent secretion. Congestion of the nasal passages by secretions and edema of the region result in the dog’s snoring.
Obesity
Excess weight can cause many dogs to have breathing difficulties, and at many times they may have wheezing. It is very common for obese dogs to snore especially when they are performing physical activity or even when they are sleeping.
What to do when the animal starts to snore?
The ideal is to find out the main cause of dog snoring. In the case of brachycephalic patients, surgeries can be performed on dogs that have serious respiratory problems. The most common surgery is to reduce the palate, thus improving the breathing pattern and reducing the dogs snoring.
In case of allergies, contact of the animal with the allergens should be avoided. If the animal already has an allergy, a veterinarian should be consulted for the use of anti-allergic medication, avoiding major problems such as closing the glottis and the animal’s death for not being able to breathe.
If the animal has a foreign body, the veterinarian must be consulted urgently, thus treating the animal properly. Some animals will need surgery to remove the objects.
Tumors in dogs can be treated by veterinary oncologists. The first step is to identify the noises produced by the dogs, the animals must undergo consultation and imaging tests.
Having diagnosed the increase in volume within the dog’s respiratory tract, tumors and cancers must be staged. In some cases, the tumors could not be surgically removed, thus requiring a few sections of drug treatment. Other tumors can be operated on, preventing harm to the dog’s health.
Upper respiratory tract infections can be prevented with vaccines primarily used before dogs spend time in dog crowds such as clinics and day care. The treatment of infections should be done by a veterinarian, as it may involve antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
Snoring in obese dogs, on the other hand, should be treated with low-calorie diets and increased physical activity, which will favor increased weight loss in dogs. By reducing weight, dogs tend to stop snoring when doing heavier physical activities.
Conclusion
Dogs can snort like pigs for a variety of reasons. Most of the causes are related to pathologies of the upper respiratory tract. These changes must be evaluated by a veterinarian so that the appropriate treatment is carried out, avoiding damage to the health of the dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): My dog sounds like a pig
How to fix a dog’s snoring?
A veterinarian should be consulted to assess the health status of the animal. If possible, surgical procedures and other treatments can be used to reduce the discomfort and discomfort of the dogs. Snoring can be pathological and can be a clinical symptom that something is wrong.
Is it normal for the dog to growl at the owner?
The dog growling at the owner can mean many things, pay attention to the other symptoms. Therefore, it is important to know the dog well to be able to identify what he is trying to demonstrate.
Is it normal for a dog to snore like a pig?
The dog can snore like a pig because it is the narrowing of the airways, which makes it difficult for air to pass, dog snoring is not always associated with health problems. However, you should look for a veterinarian for exams and the diagnosis of pathologies.
Reference
Rossi, A. (2008). Comportamento canino: como entender, interpretar e influenciar o comportamento dos cães. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 37(SPE), 49-50.
Picture from flirck.com
