My 6 month old Shih Tzu pup has been making some strange noises. She has done this 3 times in the past 3 weeks. The last time was early this morning as she woke me up. The noise is like a snort, sort of a cross between a snore and a grunt. (Don't mean to sound disgusting but it sounds like an old man trying to get his flem up) It is like an intake of breathe about 20 times or more in rapid succession. I wondered if it was her adenoids. Is this common? Is this a sign of any illness?

Hiya
One of the the most common forms of airway obstruction in Brachycephalic (short muzzled) breeds is due to an elongated soft palate. The soft palate is an extension of the hard palate which forms the roof of the mouth. The purpose of the soft palate is to serve as a mobile flap preventing food and water from entering the nasal passages during swallowing. A soft palate that is elongated will either hang in front of the airway or will fall into the larynx during inhalation.
Dogs affected by chronic airway obstruction (CAO) tend to breathe rather noisily when excited (or as you described, sounds like an old man tryoing to phlem up:) ). Mouth breathing, snoring and snorting are characteristics of this condition. These characteristics become even more pronounced and obvious when the dog is hot or during periods of exercise. The dogs often gag in an attempt to clear their airway and might occasionally bring up foam and saliva while eating or drinking. The harder the dog breathes, the greater the swelling and elongation of the soft palate.
Most often an elongated soft palate is difficult to positively confirm unless the dog is under general anesthesia, surgical correction is usually done at the same time.
I think you will find that this is the reason for the strang breathing sounds.
Hope this helps, if you need any more info or help just mail me.
Steph
x

Molly my shih tzu had to have an op to open her nose and to fix her soft palette. If you find you are worried about your little un please e mail if I can be of help to you at any time

Gina

PS She is 100% now after the op thankfully :)

if you cover the dog's nostrils with two finger's, you will find your dog with have to gulp and breath through it's mouth,this alway's work's with my dog's i own lhasa apso's,it can be quite alarming for dog and owner,when this happen's for the first time,but dont worry,it is normally just the soft palate.