However, if your pet does have sleep apnea the most common treatment method involves surgery, the use of antibiotics to clear up allergies, and weight loss, depending on what is causing the sleep apnea.
Table of Contents
Why does my dog stop breathing sometimes?
This is often associated with heart disease and lung disease. Other less common causes of dyspnea in dogs are foreign objects, lung cancer, infections such as pneumonia, injuries to the chest wall, kennel cough and allergies. Other diseases of the nose, throat, windpipe, lungs and the diaphragm may also be to blame.
How can I tell if my dog has sleep apnea?
- Loud and frequent snoring.
- Gasping or choking while sleeping.
- Sleeping during the day.
- Tiredness.
- Irritability.
What does a dog seizure in sleep look like?
Some dogs, however, can have a seizure while asleep. Klein says seizing dogs can’t be easily woken. Dogs may also urinate or defecate during a seizure, but dreaming dogs normally will not. After a seizure, you may notice a dog drooling, panting, or acting disoriented.
Can dogs live with sleep apnea?
While the disease is serious, dogs with sleep apnea can live a long, healthy life with proper care. You can also prevent it in some cases by keeping your dog at a healthy weight and addressing his allergies and breathing issues.
Can a dog have a seizure while asleep?
Most dogs have a seizure while awake or shortly after waking up. Some dogs, however, can have a seizure while asleep. There are many reasons a dog can have a seizure: epilepsy, metabolic disorders, neoplastic growths, etc. This will be up to your veterinarian to diagnose.
How common is sleep apnea in dogs?
Sleep apnea is generally rare in dogs. However, it is common in obese dogs and flat-faced breeds like English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pugs. With sleep apnea, excessive internal fat or abnormal respiratory anatomy can temporarily collapse or narrow the airway, jolting a dog awake for 10 to 20 seconds at a time.
Why does my dog sound like he’s choking in his sleep?
Reverse sneezing (Pharyngeal Gag Reflex) is a sudden, rapid and extreme forceful inhalation of air through the nose causing the dog to make repeated snorting noises, which may sound like he is choking. It sounds like the dog is trying to inhale a sneeze, and it is therefore known as reverse sneezing.
What do mini seizures look like in dogs?
Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure. They are also not aware of their surroundings.
What are the 4 types of seizures in dogs?
- Generalized seizure or grand mal seizure. These are the most common types of seizures in dogs.
- Focal or partial seizures.
- Psychomotor seizure.
- Idiopathic epilepsy.
What dog breeds are more prone to seizures?
Your dog is most likely to suffer from seizures if he or she is a Belgian Tervuren, Shetland sheepdog, beagle, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, keeshond, or vizsla. Other breeds more prone to seizures include the Finnish spitz, Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound, and English springer spaniel.
Should I wake my dog up if he’s crying in his sleep?
It’s tempting to rouse a pet showing signs of distress like whimpering, twitching, or shaking in their sleep. According to the American Kennel Club, owners should let sleeping dogs lie. “Disrupting a dog during REM sleep can result in serious consequences,” says the AKC.
What are signs of a dog having a seizure?
- Become unsteady and have trouble walking or balancing.
- Chomp or make biting motions.
- Collapse, fall to the side, or stiffen.
- Foam at the mouth or drool.
- Look confused or dazed and then drop to the floor.
- Lose consciousness.
- Lose control of body functions and urinate or defecate.
Why would a dog suddenly start having seizures?
There are many causes of seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy, the most common cause of seizures in the dog, is an inherited disorder, but its exact cause is unknown. Other causes include liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, and toxins.
Why does my dog sound like he’s struggling to breathe?
Wheezing is the whistling sound that occurs when something blocks the normal flow of air in and out of the airway. It sounds like a human having an asthma attack, and the sound is usually more obvious when the dog exhales. Stridor signals a serious breathing issue in your dog and should be treated as an emergency.
What does a collapsed trachea in a dog sound like?
The sound of the cough of a dog with a collapsed trachea makes is very distinct. It is most often described as a harsh, dry cough that sounds similar to a honking goose.
What does dog asthma sound like?

What does dog stroke look like?
Some signs of a stroke in dogs include a head tilt, circling, loss of balance, and unusual eye movements. If you think that your dog is having a stroke, don’t delay getting them to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is mostly supportive, and it’s important to treat any underlying causes.
What does a silent seizure look like in a dog?
What are the symptoms of a seizure in dogs? A seizure can have several manifestations, from a far-away look or twitching in one part of the face to a dog falling on its side barking, clenching and unclenching its teeth, urinating, defecating and paddling all four limbs.
What are signs of neurological disorders in dogs?
- Circling.
- Disorientation.
- Head pressing.
- Inability to use one or more limbs.
- Pain, which may be indicated by vocalization, sensitivity to touch and/or behavior changes.
- Seizures.
- Sudden or unexplained weakness and/or stumbling.
What happens when a dog has a mini stroke?
Pet owners often don’t notice signs of a mild stroke in their companions since animals can’t tell you when they feel dizzy, lose sight in one eye, or have memory problems. Unfortunately, pets usually experience strokes on a grander scale than people and require immediate veterinary attention.
How does a dog act after a seizure?
Postictal phase: After the seizure, many dogs exhibit a postictal phase characterized by disorientation. This may last minutes to hours. The most commonly reported signs are behavior changes, prolonged sleepiness, confusion, transient blindness, and eating voraciously.
What foods trigger seizures in dogs?
What toxins cause seizures in dogs? Food that causes seizures. According to the ASPCA, caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol can cause your dog’s seizures.
At what age does epilepsy show up in dogs?
Idiopathic epilepsy usually affects young to middle age dogs (6 months to 6 years old) in which no underlying cause for repeated seizures can be found. Idiopathic epilepsy is often assumed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Do dogs like being stroked sleeping?
Although dogs love to be petted when they’re awake, petting them while they sleep can startle them awake, and they can react aggressively. Constantly interrupting their sleep can leave them in a bad mood and at a higher risk of illness.