Breathing/gasping in Boxer

[Novel]

I've noticed an increasing phenomenon with Alley, my Boxer.

When we got her as a puppy she snored the worst!! It would actually keep me up at night, and I learned how to position her when she slept so that it was minimal. At about 6 months she seemed to grow out of it, only on very rare occasions, when she was sleeping in some ridiculous position, would she snore.

Well, in the past two weeks, she has been snoring again. In fact, she wakes me up at times because it sounds like she's having difficulty breathing. I thought maybe the heat was aggravating her, so I was icing her down. (Mind you this was in the middle of the night, about once every three nights.) The ice seemed to help, but this last week we had a bit of a cool stretch, and now I've heard her cough/gasp at least three times while awake running around. She seems to get overexcited and then start wheezing/gasping. I've encountered dogs do this with trachea problems, but Al has never worn a collar, and the advent of the symptoms in so short a time has got me worried.

I've made an appt for her with the vet, it's a two week back log. I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences. Also, in your opinions, should I move the appt from routine to emergency.

An episode lasts a few seconds, 5 tops, when she is awake, but at night can last 30 seconds, and seems to reoccur a few times through the night. Over all she's had maybe 4 nights where she's done this, but this week she has done the gasping at least once during the day, but again, usually after a bout of exercise, or when she is excited.

[Jenny]

could she possibley have some sort of allergy?

[Novel]

I hadn't considered that. Her diet hasn't changed, but tis the time of year for pollens and such. I suppose if a Bendaryl stopped it, that would tell me if it's a swelling or hystamine problem. However, I hate to medicate her without a little more reason.

[Jenny]

Originally Posted by Novel

I hadn't considered that. Her diet hasn't changed, but tis the time of year for pollens and such. I suppose if a Bendaryl stopped it, that would tell me if it's a swelling or hystamine problem. However, I hate to medicate her without a little more reason.

One of my dogs is allergic to the same pollen that I am for just a couple weeks in the summer, whenever it (whatever it is) blooms. If she is just reacting during certain times of the year... maybe that's what it is.

[sammy]

I have no clue. Certainly sounds like it could be allergies although it's sort of the wrog season for environmental allergies isn't it?
I thought spring was when they tended to be the worst?
I dunno-- but good luck. I have heard of breathing problems with other "pushed in face" breeds like pugs but not in Boxers.
Hope it gets better quick!

[doberkim]

its called brachycephalic syndrome, and yes, its common in the pugs and such --

one of the problems is an elongated soft palate which can cause breathing problems when it obstructs the trachea.


hopefully things go well at the vets!

[calgal]

This could also be asthma. allergies can really trigger this condition too. Let us know what the vet. says.

[linnie]

yes my first thought was elongated soft pallet. This can be operated on.
I dont know very much about large breeds but the smaller ones often have this problem.

[Kade]

Winston was very snorty and snuffly and sneezy for a few weeks and it ended up being because he was spending so much time sleeping in the direct path of a fan to counteract the summer heat.

Doesn't sound like that's what it is with Alley, but just in case... Hope she's doing better soon.

[JackLover]

Mix some spike lavender with a carrier oil, cant remember the amount off the top of my head but I will look, rub this daily on him behind his ears, on his throat and on the top of his nose this should him to breath more easily I use it to stop snoring