Dogs bark, growl and whine, but sometimes they do make something that sounds like a pig grunting. This sound can be both a completely normal phenomenon and a rather alarming symptom. But how to distinguish one from the other?

OBOZREVATEL studied the recommendations of veterinarians on this subject. We tell you when dogs grunt due to natural causes and when it's the time to show the animal to a doctor. There are a total of six causes of dog grunting. Let's take a look at each of them.

Natural peculiarity

Sounds similar to grunting are made by brachycephalic dogs. These are representatives of breeds that have short and flat face like pugs, pekinese, bordeaux, bulldogs, boxers and others. In the process of selection, people chose those animals that have an unnatural shape of the skull, as in the ancestor of the dog it is lengthened forward. This affected their health as a result. The area of the nasal cavity decreased and extraneous sounds were made when breathing.

Such a structure of the nasopharynx distorted the process of thermoregulation of air during breathing. Hot air is not sufficiently cooled when inhaling and brachycephalic dogs become more prone to heat strokes. Also, as these animals age, the palate may begin to sag. This defect requires surgical treatment. At any rate, a respiratory exam should be part of a brachycephalic dog's annual checkup.

Foreign objects

Dogs love to sniff everything around them. Sometimes while doing so, they may inhale some foreign object like a grain of sand, a small particle of trash, an insect, etc. Usually they come out naturally by sneezing. Still, they can also get stuck. Then such an object can cause grunting. If there are other symptoms like scratching the muzzle with the paws, as if the dog wants to remove something or urges to vomit, it is worth examining the nasal passages of the animal, shining a flashlight on them and trying to get the object. If this does not work on its own, it is better to seek veterinary help.

Neoplasia

Such a reaction can be caused by neoplasms in the nose like polyps or tumors. They can block the nasal passages, make breathing difficult and provoke extraneous sounds. If the dog grunts for a long time, foreign objects in the nose can not be detected, the general well-being of the dog deteriorates, he loses appetite and weight, moves little, there is a discharge from the nose, especially with streaks of blood, it is a clear signal that the animal urgently needs to be taken to the veterinarian.

Parasites

Some worms can settle in the lungs of the dog. In this case, they disrupt the activity of the respiratory system and this can provoke grunting. Additional symptoms of parasite infestation are abundant mucus production, gurgling or whistling when breathing, wheezing. Such a worm infestation needs immediate treatment. And the drug should be selected with a veterinarian. Ordinary broad-spectrum tablets from the nearest store may be ineffective.

Tracheal collapse

Strange sounds that the dog makes, such as grunting, quacking like a duck, wheezing, sneezing, wheezing, shortness of breath can be signs of tracheal collapse in the animal. This condition is characterized by narrowing of the lumen of the trachea, from which air access worsens and hypoxia develops. It is also accompanied by blueing of the mucous membranes. This condition requires immediate medical intervention, otherwise the dog may die.

Paroxysmal breathing

This condition is also called reverse sneezing. In this case, the animal abruptly draws in air. The process is accompanied by various atypical sounds like grunting, gurgling, wheezing, sniffing, etc. At the same time, the animal's eyes turn red, tears begin to flow and the dog assumes an unnatural position: the paws are widely spread and the back is bent. This condition is not treatable, but it can be corrected, so you should seek the help of a veterinarian as early as possible.

Earlier OBOZREVATEL told you where the dog howl comes from and what it can mean.

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