Norwich Terrier Upper Airway Syndrome in Dogs

Category: Airway & Lung
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 5

Overview

Extra or swollen tissue around the voice box can narrow the upper airway and make breathing harder. Norwich Terrier upper airway syndrome differs from the breathing syndrome usually associated with flat-faced dogs. The nostrils and soft palate, the flexible back of the mouth's roof, may appear normal despite significant obstruction near the voice box. Some affected dogs have surprisingly few outward signs.

Signs to watch for

Raspy, snoring, or gurgling breathing sounds
Excessive panting
Snoring during sleep
Struggling during activity
Episodes of severe breathing difficulty

Recognized in young and older dogs; one clinical series included dogs aged 0.5 to 11 years.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog has severe breathing difficulty.

Diagnosis and tests

Diagnosis requires a detailed examination of the voice box and surrounding airway using a camera or viewing instrument. A routine physical examination may miss significant narrowing, even when breathing seems fairly normal. Specialist scoring systems record the location and severity of the airway changes.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Small

Norwich TerrierSmall · Terrier Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.