Although this may sound crazy, sleep apnea can occur in dogs. We normally focus on human sleep experiences, but so many people are intimately connected with their dogs, that they may be curious if their dogs have sleep disorders as well.

Individuals who have breeds like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, chihuahuas, pugs, and cavalier King Charles spaniels are all dogs that have a higher rate of sleep apnea than others. Symptoms of sleep apnea in dogs appear similar to those experienced by humans with sleep apnea. However there is no formal classification system for sleep apnea as there is with adults.

Learning the signs of sleep apnea and dogs can help you recognize the signs to see if you should alert your veterinarian to help make any changes to your dog's sleep pattern.

How common is sleep apnea in dogs

Sleep apnea is likely rare in most dogs. However brachycephalic dog breeds can have an increased risk of sleep apnea and sleep-related breathing disorders. Brachycephalic dogs have snouts that are extremely short compared to the size of their heads. This is why pugs and Bulldogs are common sufferers of sleep apnea because they have extreme brachycephaly. Their smushed face appearance that many people love when looking at these breeds put them at higher risk for sleep apnea. Surveys showed that a significant number of dogs with brachycephalic faces experienced breathing problems during sleep. A short snout compared to the rest of the face can increase the risk of someone experiencing breathing problems.

Symptoms of sleep apnea in dogs

Dogs with sleep apnea appear similar to humans with sleep apnea in their visible struggle to breathe while they sleep. Mostly bad news symptoms in dogs involve apnea and hypopneas which are cessations and breathing that can last approximately 15 to 20 seconds. Other symptoms can include noisy breathing, gasping or choking, positives and breathing, snoring, frequently waking up struggling to breathe, mouth breathing, adopting sleep positions designed to open the airway, and lethargy.

Symptoms can incur during and after sleep. Sleep apnea symptoms in dogs tend to worsen during REM sleep when the airway muscles relax. Researchers have used a modified version of the human sleep apnea diagnostic criteria when studying sleep apnea in dogs. In order to qualify for a diagnosis, the dog must experience more than five apneas or hypopneas with one additional symptom.

Snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, but in order to be diagnosed with sleep apnea a dog must also have pauses in breathing during sleep. This is why it is important to not get snoring confused with the possibility of having sleep apnea. They are both types of sleep-disordered breathing, a term that describes a full spectrum of breathing difficulties during sleep. Snoring on its own is considered less severe because it does not have such significant effects on breathing as sleep apnea does.

Causes of sleep apnea in dogs

There are several similarities in the causes of sleep apnea in dogs as compared to causes of sleep apnea in adults. Obstructive sleep apnea in dogs can incur when internal structures block the airway at night. These physical obstructions can be due to a number of attributes, including physical structures, obesity, age, and allergies.

As discussed previously, brachycephalic dogs are more likely to experience breathing difficulties. These dogs often have narrow nostrils and abnormalities in internal nasal structures. This can make it hard to breathe through the nose. They also have shorter snouts, large tongues, tonsils, and other internal structures that can cause airway blockage. The result is a build up of soft tissue in the airway that can further obstruct breathing and lead to ongoing problems known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. This is similar to what happens with obstructive sleep apnea and humans. Researchers can consider sleep apnea and break usefully dogs to be a continuation of Boas coma caused by the same airway abnormalities.

Dogs with obesity, just like humans with obesity, are more likely to experience symptoms of sleep disordered breathing period obesity in dogs is associated with more severe symptoms of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. It's difficult to say whether obesity is a cause or a result of breathing difficulties. The extra tissue may contribute to airway narrowing of a dog is just naturally fatter, but on the other hand, dogs who have trouble breathing may also be overweight because it's difficult for them to exercise. Even dogs who are not overweight but have a thicker neck may still continue to have increased breathing difficulties as compared to those with skinnier necks.

Age

Also similar to adults, older dogs are more likely to have sleep apnea than younger dogs. Repeated inflammation and pressure changes can irritate the airway over time, and this can alter the shape of the soft tissues, making the airway even smaller.

Allergies

Allergies that inflamed nasal passages can worsen sleep-related breathing disorders in humans and even play a role in canine sleep apnea. However, allergies are not the principal cause of sleep apnea in dogs, so should not be the aspect of their environment that is most focused on.

Is sleep apnea and dogs dangerous?

Just as dogs, humans with sleep apnea may face a higher risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease with untreated sleep apnea. Lapses in breathing throughout the night can cause low blood oxygen levels. These constant fluctuations can lead to unwanted health consequences.

Treatment for dogs

For many dogs, surgery can improve the symptoms of sleep apnea by removing those structures that are blocking the airway. The type of surgery depends on the individual dog as there are multiple structures that can interfere with breathing.

Researchers are also studying if there are any medications that can help with canine sleep apnea. Drugs that block serotonin during REM sleep may be especially useful. The gold standard in humans is CPAP therapy, where one wears a mask that delivers oxygen in a positive pressure environment to keep the back of the throat open. However there have been no devices that have been approved for pets.

Dog owners that notice signs of sleep apnea and their pets should take note of the symptoms and discuss them with their veterinarian. This is especially important if you have a dog that is part of the brachycephalic breed. It should never be considered normal for dogs to have breeding disorders. Dog owners who notice any symptoms of Boas, like snoring or loud breathing, need to talk to their beds to improve their pets quality of life. 

Even though our facility does not work with animals, we think it's important for you to be aware of sleep apnea symptoms for everyone in your house, including your four legged friends. If you think that your dog experiences any of the symptoms described in this article, please reach out to your veterinarian to figure out what your next best step is.

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/animals-and-sleep/can-dogs-have-sleep-apnea