Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Is Your Short-Muzzled Dog Having Breathing Problems?

**By Dr. Becker**

> A recent study points to the possibility that owners of brachycephalic breeds (dogs with "pushed in" faces) mistake significant breathing difficulties in their pets for normal respiratory sounds.
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> The Royal Veterinary College at the University of London conducted a survey of the owners of 285 dogs who brought their pets to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals for various reasons during a five-month period.
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> Thirty-one of the 285 dogs, including Boston terriers, bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, French bulldogs, Pekingese and pugs, had been diagnosed with brachycephalic airway syndrome.
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> Brachycephalic airway syndrome describes a number of upper respiratory problems affecting the nose, mouth and throat of dogs (and some cats) as a result of abnormal skull structure.
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> What surprised the Royal Veterinary College researchers was the fact that despite the dogs' owners reporting significant respiratory symptoms, they did not believe their pets had breathing problems.

## Breathing Difficulties Assumed to Be Normal

> Short-muzzled dogs, or "brachys," have constricted upper jaws, which causes the soft tissue to be compressed within the skull. Many of these dogs develop brachycephalic airway syndrome. Signs of the condition include noisy or labored breathing, gagging, choking, problems breathing with even minor physical exertion, and a tendency to [overheat][1].
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> Every owner of a brachy said their dog snored – some even while awake – compared with fewer than two percent of non-brachycephalic dogs. But well over half the owners did not believe their pet had breathing difficulties, even though the majority of dogs had problems during exercise.
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> According to researchers, this indicates many owners of pets with brachycephalic airway syndrome don't realize a problem exists and don't seek help from a veterinarian. According to Rowena Packer of the Royal Veterinary College and one of the study researchers:
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>> _"Our study clearly shows that owners of brachycephalic dogs often dismiss the signs of this potentially severe breathing disorder as normal and are prepared to tolerate a high degree of respiratory compromise in their pets before seeking help. It may require a particularly acute attack, such as the dog losing consciousness, for owners to perceive a problem." _
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> Many owners who were surveyed seemed to believe breathing difficulties aren't really a problem if the dog is short-muzzled. One owner's comment: _"No to breathing problem – other than being a Bulldog."_
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> Dr. Charlotte Burn, lead researcher, warns that while short muzzles may be appealing-looking, owners of brachy breeds need to be aware the cute appearance often comes at a serious price to the dog. _"Just because a problem is common, that doesn't make it less of a problem for the individuals who suffer it,"_ says Burn.

## Helping Your Brachy Breathe Better

> Breathing difficulties can prevent your pet from being able to enjoy the very simplest things dogs naturally love to do, like eating, sleeping, play and exercise.
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> Dogs with severe brachycephalic airway syndrome can have almost continuous difficulty getting enough air. It's not unusual for these dogs to collapse from lack of oxygen.
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> Left untreated, the problems tend to progress over time, with worsening symptoms.
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> The Royal Veterinary College researchers encourage parents of brachycephalic breeds to learn the difference between normal and abnormal breathing sounds in their dogs, and to make an appointment with a vet if they notice any unusual breathing or other signs of respiratory distress.
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> Unfortunately, surgery is often the only option to resolve significant breathing difficulties resulting from brachycephalic airway syndrome. The treatment goal is to surgically remove the tissues or structures causing airway obstruction.
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> Things you can do as the owner of a brachy include keeping your dog fit and trim. Overweight and obese dogs have much more serious respiratory difficulties than pets who are kept at an ideal weight.
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> Keeping your dog out of hot, humid environments is also important to support normal respiration and prevent overheating.
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> And since stress exacerbates virtually every health problem, especially breathing difficulties, keeping your dog's life as stress-free as possible is also recommended to support your pet's health and quality of life.



Sources:

* [dvm360 July 1, 2012][2]



**Related Articles:**


![][3] [What Never To Do With a 'Pushed-In' Face Pet][4]

![][3] [Does Your Pet Have Runny Eyes?][5]

![][3] [Dead in Minutes: Dogs and Heatstroke][1]


[** Comments (1)][6]**


[1]: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/10/dead-in-minutes-dogs-and-heatstroke.aspx
[2]: http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Royal-Veterinary-College-study-finds-owners-of-cer/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/778721?contextCategoryId=204&ref=25
[3]: http://healthypets.mercola.com/themes/blogs/MercolaArticle/mercolaimages/bullet.gif
[4]: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/12/20/special-needs-of-brachycephalic-breeds.aspx
[5]: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/01/06/common-causes-of-runny-eyes-in-pets.aspx
[6]: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/08/22/brachycephalic-dogs-breathing-problems.aspx?ShowAllComments=True#comments

URL: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/08/22/brachycephalic-dogs-breathing-problems.aspx

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