What it is
The larynx sits at the top of the windpipe, and two small pieces of cartilage there swing wide open each time the dog breathes in and close when it swallows. When the nerves that work them weaken, they hang loosely in the airway, and a strong breath in can even pull them towards each other, narrowing the opening further.
The condition is linked to age above all and tends to appear in older, larger dogs, sometimes as part of a slow weakening of the nerves that later reaches the hind legs too. It can also be inherited and show in young dogs, or follow an injury to the neck.
Heat, humidity, excitement and hard exercise all make a dog breathe harder, which is exactly when the narrowed airway copes worst. Calm days, walks in the cooler hours, a harness instead of a collar and a lean body all ease the load on its breathing.
Signs you may notice
- Noisy, rasping breathing
- Hoarse or changed bark
- Tires quickly on walks
- Coughs or gags when drinking
- Struggles more in the heat
You may hear noisy, rasping breathing, especially in hot weather or after exercise, and the dog's bark may become hoarse or quieter. Some dogs cough or gag while eating or drinking and tire sooner on walks.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if your dog's breathing becomes noisier or its bark changes. If it is struggling to breathe, its gums or tongue turn blue or it collapses, it needs a vet immediately.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.