Dog with sleep apnea or some sleep disorder?

Question

Hi,
I was jst wondering if anyone knows about, or has ever experienced a dog with some sort of sleep apnea or disorder? I have called my vet and he is calling me back today, but in the mean while I thought I may try to get some info..
My wonderful pup Frankie (11 months, maltese x chihuahua ) is lively, hilarious, happy and active. A few months ago we were reading together in bed and I noticed he was snoring. I poked him to get him to stop but he wouldnt wake up. I picked him up and his body was limp. He was sleeping but couldnt wake up. I figured he was just in a deep sleep. Since then it has happened a few more times but less severe. Last night he was sleeping-he had his eyes rolled back, his tongue half out his mouth and was breathing irregularly. I shook him to wake him up but this time it took at least 15-20 seconds to get him to come to. When he did, he was fine, but its frightening. He is so limp when I pick him up its as if his neck is broken.. Help? =(

I thought I may jst add some more details:
He only has all natural treats - nothing manufactured or mass produced. I am a health freak so my dogs are too! He eats all natural, organic raw meat and for treats he gets the same, or air dried all natural pig ears or raw hyde made in australia from livestock from organic farms which use no steroids or other nasties found in cattle. Not even pesticides in the grass.
The reason I mentioned the limp neck is to show the extent of the limpness. his whole body is that limp - every limb.
he will be going to the vet, as i said, i'm just waiting for a call back from my vet, paul. (wonderful man)...
what i mean by irregular breathing is that there was a point at which he stopped breathing for around 5 seconds, but his heart was still beating.
again, he is seeing the vet today, i am jst anxious and thought i's try get some extra info...

Answer 1

My daughters dog is a beagle mix and it's funny to listen to her sleep because she's a snorer! And even when she's awake she breathes loud. She has extra skin around her neck so I guess that has something to do with the heavy breathing.

Answer 2

Actually, I had a cat and a dog who had exactly this same sort of condition. one lived a long, long healthy life (17 yrs), the other (through no fault of any sleep disorder) did not live past 8.)

It is very common for a pet to sleep so hard, esp. puppies and kittens, that they snore and are hard to wake - even to the point that their necks seem loose and floppy.

When I first noticed this in my cat, I shook him cat until he finally awakened and looked at me like I was crazy for disturbing his sleep. When it happened with my dog, I wasn't so concerned. I still would nudge them sometimes when concerned, but never really worried abou their health after speaking with a vet.

They were just heavy sleepers and were rough players. They used all their energy. I would be surprised if a vet would say that there is anything abnormal going on.

But if it makes you feel better, and you really believe there is something serious happening, get him to the vet for a sleep session. Don't let any of us change your mind if you truly feel that he is in danger. I'm sure there are always situations in which there is new info. and something can be learned by all.

I do wish the best for you both!!! Hugs!!!

Answer 3

Don't ever take the sleeping pills route!!

1. They will damage your liver big time and you can get into serious health problems.

2. You will get hooked up on them and you won't be able to have a normal life any more if you don't take your pills everyday.

The sleeping pills industry is damaging our health by capitalizing on our ignorance, and by distracting people from effective and natural ways to deal with this problem. I had been taking prescription sleep medications [Ambien] for over 5 years. It stopped working and I simply took more. Still did not work. Nights were very difficult - medication put me to sleep but I would wake up after 2–3 hours with a strong sympathetic response (fast pulse, pounding heartbeat, wide awake alert). It was a very difficult cycle to break. I was really in bad shape due to lack of sleep.

After years of struggling I was able to cure my insomnia naturally and pretty fast. I followed the Sleep Tracks sleep optimization program, here is their official web -site if you want to take a look: http://www.insomniacure.net

Ohhh..and Good Luck!

Answer 4

My beagle mix has the snoring thing.. even sometimes when he's not that deep into sleep.. he does have sleep apnea.. He gets into the REM type sleep.. eyes roll back a bit.. and he stops breathing. but it goes back to normal fairly easily.. and it's not hard to wake him up.. but with your dog.. if it is THAT hard to get him up.. and that limp.. it could be a seizure.. I wouldn't say rush him to the vet this second or anything.. but do follow through with the call to the vet if he doesn't call back.

Answer 5

This is not sleep apnea. I know because I have it. Sleep Apnea only keeps you from breathing occasionally. But your breathing, when you do breath, is not erratic. This is some nervous disorder, like a seizure or something. Get him to your vet. It sounds life threatening.

Answer 6

Yes. Possible sleep apnea. I'm assuming 95% of your cool story was total waffling on so I skipped that part.

Answer 7

please check his treats. there is something going on with dog treats made with chicken. anything made outside the u.s.a. needs to be thrown out. and he needs to see the vet. the first few signs you mentioned were normal, but the limp neck doesn't seem right. snoring is totally normal, and difficulty waking up, and the eyes rolling back, all things my two dogs have had, but not the limp neck. check his treats