Your Why is my dogs breathing raspy? Here’s What to Do Next

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Causes of Noisy Breathing in Dogs

The causes of stertor and stridor in dogs are many. Some are congenital (present at birth), while others may be acquired due to illness or trauma. Always consult your veterinarian if you notice that your canine family member is having a breathing issue. A few of the causes you may want to have your veterinary care team investigate are listed below.

Nares and nasal cavity

  • Neoplasia (new, uncontrolled tissue growth)
  • Foreign body
  • Collapsed nostrils (stenotic nares)
  • Chronic nasal disease like rhinitis

    • Nasopharynx

  • Neoplasia
  • Foreign body
  • Nasopharyngeal stenosis (results in poor airflow when the mouth is closed)
  • Polyps

    • Pharynx

  • Neoplasia
  • Abscess
  • Tonsillar prolapse
  • Retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy (enlargement at the back of the throat)
  • Soft palate elongation

    • Larynx

  • Neoplasia
  • Laryngeal paralysis (breeds congenitally prone are Bouvier des Flandres, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Bulldog and Bull Terrier, while breeds prone to acquire the paralysis are Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter and Great Dane)
  • Laryngeal collapse
  • Everted laryngeal saccules (masses between the vocal folds)

    • Trachea

  • Tracheal stenosis (windpipe becomes narrow or constricted)
  • Tracheal collapse (tracheal loss of rigidity and prevention of airflow to the lungs, often seen in Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, and Pomeranians)
  • Foreign object

    • Brachycephalic syndrome is common to breeds with short noses; the complications are a combination of elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, and everted laryngeal saccules. Breeds predisposed are the Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Chow Chow, Pug, Lhasa Apso, Boxer, Shar Pei, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog, and Boston Terrier.

    Symptoms of Noisy Breathing in Dogs

    Noisy breathing can be displayed in many ways; the causes for why your dog is breathing with a raspy sound can range from mild to serious. Always see your veterinarian for any changes in your pet’s breathing patterns.

  • Open mouth breathing
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Restlessness
  • Noise upon inhalation, exhalation or both
  • Coughing
  • Snorting
  • Gagging
  • Labored, difficult breathing (dyspnea)
  • You may see movement of the chest
  • The sounds may be heard even at a distance
  • Snoring
  • He may be asymptomatic at rest, and only breathe noisily during exertion, or he may make the noises all of the time
  • Change or loss of bark
  • There may be a nasal discharge
  • He may have blue mucus membranes (cyanosis)

    • Types

    Abnormal breathing will result when air passes through areas that may be affected with disease or malformation.

    Nares and nasal cavity

  • The nose openings, the nasal cavity, and internal nares open to the pharynx

    • Nasopharynx

  • Connects the windpipe with pharynx above the soft palate

    • Pharynx

  • Connects the mouth and the nasal passages with the esophagus

    • Larynx

  • Connects the pharynx to the trachea, and is also known as the voice box

    • Trachea

  • Connects the larynx to the lungs, and is commonly called the windpipe

    • Dr. Nicholas spent many years as an emergency and general practice veterinarian obsessed with keeping pets safe and healthy. He is the author of Preventive Vet’s 101 Essential Tips book series.

    Dr. Nicholas graduated with honors from The Royal Veterinary College in London, England and completed his Internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.

    Our mission is to help save dogs and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.

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