The shape of the skull of dogs can affect their health, making them prone to certain disorders. In the case of brachycephaly or brachycephalic syndrome, is mainly related to the shape of the snout of flat dogs. Therefore, it causes a series of respiratory problems that can seriously affect your health.
What is brachycephaly
This term refers to dog breeds that have wider and shorter skulls and muzzles than others. This peculiar morphology means that the air has less space to access the lungs. Also, her windpipe is narrower, which causes severe breathing difficulties in the dog and makes it more vulnerable to heat stroke.
The bones of these dogs are narrow, but not the rest of their organs. As an example we can name the soft palate, which separates the back of the nasal cavity and the mouth. This imbalance makes it difficult for air to enter, which can block the airways.
If this is the case of our dog, we will notice it in symptoms such as snoring, fatigue or excessive salivation.
Problems associated with brachycephaly
El brachycephalic syndrome causes severe symptoms as the following:
- Breathing difficulties.
- Throat obstruction.
- Conjunctivitis and excessive tearing.
- Laryngitis and pharyngitis (with strong inflammation)
- Poor temperature regulation.
- Loud snoring
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- General fatigue
These problems can lead to extremely serious illnesses if not treated in time. Therefore, at the slightest sign, we must go to the vet.
Breeds prone to this syndrome
Not all dogs with a small skull and a flat muzzle have to suffer from this pathology, but as we said at the beginning, they are much more likely than other breeds. Those most susceptible to suffering from this syndrome, due to their morphology, they are:
- English bulldog.
- French bulldog
- Pug or pug.
- Boxer.
- Pekingese.
- lhasa apso
- boston terriers
- Shih Tzu.
- sharpei.
- King Charles Spaniel.
- English Mastiff.
Veterinary treatment
Obviously, we cannot let our dog suffer all these annoyances. Given these symptoms, we must go to the vet, who will examine the animal and determine the most appropriate treatment for it. Treatment will depend on many factors, such as the age, the state of the disease and the general state of the health of the dog (allergies, other diseases, previous surgeries, etc.).
There are different options, although the three most common are the ones presented below:
- Medication. Symptoms are alleviated by bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Oxygen machines. More and more veterinarians are advising the use of these machines, which help the dog to breathe for hours.
- Surgery. It is the most common treatment. Depending on the case, a rhinoplasty to widen the nostrils, a palatoplasty to shorten the soft palate, a polypectomy to remove polyps if there are any (usually by endoscopy) or a removal of the laryngeal saccules (that is, of the excess soft tissue).
Can it be prevented?
Being directly related to the anatomy of the animal, brachycephaly cannot be prevented. It must be borne in mind that it has been the human being that has created or modified these races to their liking, without thinking about the consequences that this could have. This syndrome is one of them. If we want a short breed dog as a pet, we must bear this problem in mind.
Home care
In addition to the treatment that the veterinarian advises us, we can carry out some tactics from our own home to reduce symptoms and improve the dog's quality of life.
- Avoid heat. The lung capacity of these dogs is reduced, making it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, in the face of high temperatures suffer from severe breathing difficulties and are very susceptible to heat stroke. It is better, therefore, that we move these breeds away from hot areas. During the hot months, we must create a sufficiently cool environment at home (without putting the air conditioning too strong) and make sure that the animal always has water available. Of course, we should never leave the dog locked in the car, not even for a few minutes.
- Moderate exercise When a dog with brachycephaly forces his breath, his airway can collapse. That is why it is important that we avoid excessive exercise. The ideal is slow walks during the less hot hours, always carrying fresh water at hand.
- Prevent obesity. Being overweight is bad for any dog, but for short-nosed breeds it's even worse. For this, we will have to offer the animal daily walks and a low-fat diet.
- Harness instead of collar. When having trouble breathing, it is recommended that these dogs do not wear a collar. The harness is a better option as it does not put pressure on your windpipe.
- Keep your nostrils clean. Frequent cleaning of the nostrils, eyes, muzzle folds and nose will help the animal to breathe better.
- Frequent veterinary checks. Faced with any of the classic symptoms of this syndrome, we must go to the vet immediately. Although it is also essential that we comply with the vaccination schedule and with the necessary revisions.