Ask Dr. Fling

Q: My 2 year old schnauzer snores, has decreased capacity to smell and is overweight, despite the fact that she has been on a Hill's RD diet since she was 6 months old. We have had surgery to open up her nostrils and allow easier breathing, but stil wonder if anything else can be done to help.

A: Snoring and decreased capacity to smell generally indicate a blockage of air flow in the respiratory passageways. Even though your dog has had surgery to open her nostril openings there may still be excess tissue inside, swollen tonsils or an elongated soft palate requiring additional medical attention. Since your dog is overweight, fatty deposits maybe responsible for all the symptoms you describe. Concentrate first on decreasing quantities of food and gradually increasing exercise to see if weight loss resolves your dog's problems. You may need her thyroid levels checked, or a sedated or endoscopic evaluation of her air ways to evaluate for physical obstructions, to see if there is a medical cause for the weight and breathing problems.