She has laryngeal paralysis
Like humans, dogs’ larynxes (aka voice boxes) keep their airways covered when they swallow to keep food and water from getting into their lungs. But as older dogs age, it’s not uncommon for their larynx to stop moving, says Dr. Richter.
‘Dogs lose the ability to move those pieces of tissue and wind up with a physical obstruction over their airways when they’re breathing,’ he says. Because the larynx also affects voice, you might notice hoarseness or a change in the sound of your dog’s bark, along with labored breathing.
