Read time: 6 minutes
What’s inside?
- So, what do we know about sleep apnea in animals?
- What clues to look out for…
- How can we help animals with sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea, a disorder causing us humans to stop breathing during sleep, is not exclusively our problem. It has also been recorded in several animal species, revealing the challenges of restful slumber extend beyond our species.
While there doesn’t appear to be any animal versions of CPAP machines available yet, there’s a lot we can do to recognise and help our furry friends. And we can take a selfish interest too. Researching sleep apnea in animals – which isn’t the same picture you tend to get when someone mentions testing on animals – could provide insights to improve our human sleep too.
So, what do we know about sleep apnea in animals?
Dogs
Certain dog breeds, particularly squashed-nose breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers, are more vulnerable to sleep apnea due to their short nasal passages and flat faces.
The way they restrict the airway means these facial features can cause snoring, gasping for air during sleep, restless sleeping patterns, and excessive daytime sleepiness. These can all be experienced without sleep apnea being an issue but can also be red-flags for an owner that something more serious could be worth investigating.
Cats
Obesity (the original fat cats), respiratory infections or physical design – similar to the squashed-dogs mentioned above – have all been linked with sleep apnea in cats.
As with dogs, symptoms can include loud snoring, interrupted sleep, and noticeable fatigue during the day… although with most cats it may be difficult to tell the difference between fatigue and just being a cat who likes to lay around and sleep all day.
And it gets stranger…
Though less common, or at least less understood, other animals such as horses and pigs can suffer from sleep apnea, particularly those with certain problems like muscle weakness, muscle wastage, chronic pain or obesity can be clues worth learning more about. With pigs there’s a little bit of a natural learning opportunity here. Given things like a pig’s heart and other internal bits are remarkably similar to human bits.
Overall, the warning signs appear to be the same regardless of species… loud snoring, periods of breathlessness and daytime tiredness are all things to take seriously.
As we get into more exotic animals the evidence gets thinner but still exists.
Primates may not seem too far away from humans to accept they could have sleep apnea. So that may be a given. But those in the know have also found evidence in seriously wild animals like elephants, lions and tigers.
Recap on clues to look out for…
Identifying sleep apnea in animals can sometimes be similar to recognising it in ourselves.
Things such as:
- Loud, persistent snoring.
- Frequent awakenings during sleep.
- Gasping or choking sounds.
- Noticeable pauses in breathing.
- Daytime tiredness or excessive sleepiness.
- Behavioural changes such as irritability or decreased activity levels.
How can we help animals with sleep apnea?
If you suspect that your pet or another animal is suffering from sleep apnea, there are several steps you can take to help:
Call a vet
The first step is to consult with a vet. The animal kind… not the ex-soldier… unless they are also a qualified animal vet too, of course.
They can conduct a thorough examination and may recommend an adapted sleep study or other tests to confirm the condition.
Weight Management
We can sometimes harm our pets with kindness. Too many treats and not enough exercise can cause the weight to pile on. Obesity is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea in animals, as it is in humans. Ensuring your pet maintains a healthy weight through a quality diet and regular exercise can reduce symptoms and the overall risk.
Surgical Interventions
In some cases, surgery may be required to correct physical issues contributing to sleep apnea. This could include operations to remove excess tissue blocking the airways or even widening the airways themselves.
Getting comfy
Making changes to where they sleep can help. This includes providing a comfortable, cool sleeping area, and using elevated beds to help open the airways. Often dogs like to lay with their head on a pillow. If yours does, you are already onto a winner.
Medications and Therapies
Certain medications can help manage symptoms of sleep apnea. I couldn’ t find any doggy CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, commonly used for humans, but it would be great if such a thing was available.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Regular check-ups with your vet are crucial to monitor the animal's condition and adjust treatment plans as necessary. As with humans, sleep apnea in animals is often a life-long issue. If you wouldn’t stop treatment for yourself then it is probably a good idea to keep on top of it for your pet too.
So, it turns out sleep apnea can affect both humans and animals, highlighting the connection of health challenges across species. One snoring dog does not mean they automatically have sleep apnea but, by recognising the symptoms and seeking appropriate medical care, we can significantly improve the quality of life for animals who do suffer from this.
What’s more, studying sleep apnea in animals not only aids in their treatment but also improves our overall understanding of the disorder, potentially leading to better treatments for humans as well. It’s kinda like testing on animals but in a way that can benefit them too.
Cheers,
Alan
P.S. I have taken to creating various bits on sleep and sleep apnea. If you would enjoy hearing more and find out where else you can find stuff like this, you can get my weekly Triple Whammy email, which has 3 short topics each week. Some written or recorded by me and others I’ve found out there in the strange world we live in.
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