Sleep Apnea

[chihuahuamom]

Can anyone tell me if Chi's suffer from sleep apnea? When my Lil one is napping she is always close to me on the couch, and sometimes she wakes up and has to catch her breath, she smacks her lips and then she off to sleep again. I am just curious if that is sleep anpnea or what? She looks startled, just curious...Thanks :confused:

[GoldenChis]

I have never heard of a Chi having it but that's what the human version sounds like. Have you asked your vet?

[chihuahuamom]

I have not asked my vet yet, but my girls have an appt. next week, thanks for your response, I am also in your meet up group!!

[GoldenChis]

I have not asked my vet yet, but my girls have an appt. next week, thanks for your response, I am also in your meet up group!!


What is your name and doggie's names? Chi meetup or Toy meetup you are in??

[chihuahuamom]

Their names are Laci & Tawni, I am actually in both groups!!

[DragonLady]

Sleep apnia is when they stop breathing for short periods of time, or snore so they do not get enough oxygin. I think it is possible if the dog is overweight.

Dogs do dream and she may have been chasing something in her dream and caught it so could have startled her awake.

I have seen my dogs wake and look around like they were looking for something then drift off again. LOL They also twitch, growl and whine in their sleep.

[chihuahuamom]

She does it every time she naps in the day and at night, I was just concearned it could be a health hazard or even fatal if she is not getting enough oxygen. Both my girls dream, they growl, twitch ect....But what Tawni does is just weird!!! She is going to the vet soon I will clear it up with her doc!!

[DragonLady]

Try to video tape it so the doctor can see what you are talking about. It may be nothing, or it could be something. Always go with your gut feeling, don't let anyone tell you different!

[chihuahuamom]

Great Idea i will do that, I have a gut feeling it is nothing, but u never know!!! :)

[DragonLady]

Did you get it on tape? What did the vet say?

[chihuahuamom]

It is not sleep apnea, it has to do with the backward sneezes our lil guy's have, her little trachea is relaxed while she sleeps and then it will contract and that is when it wakes her up and she panics a little bit to catch a breath. Something I have to keep an eye on, but she is fine and I feel much better !!!