Snoring and respiratory problems are common issues for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, as well as bulldogs, Pekingese, and other flat-faced breeds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels snore and snort because they have brachycephalic airways, including flat noses, narrow nares, and underdeveloped tracheas. Being overweight is a contributing factor. Snoring can be benign but it should be evaluated by a veterinarian, especially if the dog has breathing difficulties.
It is important to understand how the anatomy of your Cavalier affects the dog’s ability to breathe and engage in normal activities of daily living.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
The most common culprit of snoring and some respiratory problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is brachycephalic airway syndrome. The syndrome is common for all flat-faced breeds. The anatomy of brachycephalic dogs can present issues and obstruct normal easy breathing.
The key features of brachycephalic airway syndrome include the following:
- A long soft palate that extends beyond the tip of the epiglottis and makes the passage of air difficult
- Narrow nares: often they collapse inward during inhalation, which makes it hard for the dog to breathe through the nose
- Hypoplastic trachea, or an airway that collapses easily
- Everted laryngeal saccules: the tissue inside the airway, in front of the vocal cords, is pulled into the trachea and partially obstructs airflow
- Improper teeth alignment is a distinct issue but is very common for brachycephalic dogs and contributes to snoring
Other Issues Common For Flat-Faced Breeds
There are several problems associated with brachycephalic syndrome, and your dog may have some of them too. Most of those signs are more concerning than snoring itself:
- Snorting
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Vomiting or regurgitating food
- Difficulty eating
- Low energy
- Poor tolerance of physical activity
- Heat-sensitivity
- Collapsing after being active
Issues related to brachycephalic syndrome might include a decreased sense of smell, although even flat-faced dogs have a good sense of smell in general.
If your Cavalier has breathing difficulties related to brachycephalic syndrome, running and hiking with your dog might be a challenge.
Recommendations For Flat-Faced Dogs
The University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital outlines the following recommendations for brachycephalic dogs:
- Adjust physical activity as needed. Note what triggers snoring and respiratory issues and limit the activity accordingly.
- Stress can make any existing issues worse, including breathing problems. Note and eliminate any stressors.
- Promote a healthy weight, because any breathing issues are exacerbated by excessive weight.
Flat-faced dogs are prone to heat stress. In particular, Cavaliers have a low tolerance to heat, so it is wise to limit physical activity on hot days and to allow the dog rest breaks in the shade on warm days.
Use a harness instead of a collar if it seems to be more comfortable for your pup.
Some Dogs Need Surgery
A surgical procedure is not usually indicated unless the signs and symptoms interfere with the quality of your dog’s life. Ultimately, the recommendation will depend on the veterinarian’s evaluation, of course. For those dogs who do need a procedure, the surgery will be designed to reduce the clinical signs, improve breathing, and prevent aspiration of food. Snoring itself could persist even after surgery but some other issues could subside.
If surgery is indicated, providers usually recommend it when the dog is still young because the outcomes tend to be better. The dog’s breathing normalizes and tolerance to physical activity improves. Older dogs are more likely to have some collapse of the larynx, and it can be harder to correct.
Your dog’s veterinarian will discuss medication options before recommending surgery but the University of Pennsylvania mentions that the reports of success with the medications are mixed.
Other Causes Of Snoring
It is important to remember that snoring could be attributed to causes other than the flat shapes of the Cavalier’s nose:
- Obesity is one of the most common causes of snoring.
- Fungal infection: dogs affected with fungal infections could develop snoring.
- Tumors: a dog’s airway can develop a tumor, which would cause snoring, among other problems.
- Dental concerns: poor teeth alignment is a very common cause of snoring in all breeds
Assess your dog’s comfort and health regularly. Pay attention to how she is breathing. If you notice irregular or labored breathing, or that your dog is out of breath after an activity that should be easy to tolerate, bring up your concerns with your veterinarian.
To Conclude
Snoring is common for this breed and it can be quite benign, as long as the dog sleeps comfortably and does not appear to struggle with breathing issues. If your pup seems to have little energy or has problems with eating and coughing, please have a low threshold to take her to the vet. A thorough evaluation will determine the course of treatment for your pet.
