The anatomical variations of the skull bones result in abnormalities of the upper respiratory system. Overall, there can be varying degrees of breathing difficulty depending on the extent of the abnormalities. The severity of symptoms may increase as the dog ages. Stenotic nares are congenitally small nostrils that may also collapse as the dog inhales. An elongated soft palate can cause obstruction of airflow into the larynx. Everted laryngeal saccules refers to tissue near the vocal cords that is pulled inward during inhalation and can block airflow. Some dogs may have a windpipe that is proportionally too narrow and is referred to as a hypoplastic trachea. Other possible findings that can contribute to airflow obstruction include: Laryngeal collapse, large tongue, enlarged or everted tonsils, nasopharyngeal turbinates. Over time the condition worsens as a result of the dog working harder to breathe. Tissues in the throat can become swollen or inflamed, further obstructing the flow of air.