Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Surgery

Brachycephalic dogs are all breeds with short faces including Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs and Boxers, even Cavalier King Charles Spaniels fall into this category, but more mildly so.

Obstructive Airway problems in affected dogs contribute to that typical “snuffly” noise they make as they run around and get excited. It is also the major cause of their snoring.

It is a problem we humans created by breeding to create cute little dogs with short faces. These breeds have wonderful temperaments, but a few physical challenges as well.

CAUSES & CHALLENGES

Most of the problem comes from having nostrils that are too small (stenotic nares) and a palate that is too long (elongated soft palate) and manages to get caught over the front of the larynx and restrict the size of airway the dog has to breathe through. Longer term, this increased effort to breathe through a small airway (like drinking a thick shake through a popper straw) causes new problems to develop- the larynx itself becomes compromised- initially through some mucosal folds flopping into the space, but then the cartilages themselves start to collapse from the strain (laryngeal collapse). Without help, eventually the larynx can collapse completely and they need an emergency tracheostomy to allow them to breathe.

TREATMENT

For dogs of the affected breeds, having their surgery performed in their first year- while they’re still breathing fairly well, we dramatically reduce the secondary problems. This is the preferred time for surgery.

Protocol:- our plan with puppies of the affected breeds is to perform the nostril surgery at the time of desexing at 6 months, and assess the palate at that time- if it’s already long we will plan the resection at 12 months, if not we will reassess at 12 months. The nostril surgery is very precise, and recovery is expected to be uncomplicated. The cone they wear after desexing will also protect the nostrils, so sutures out in 10 days and all is well.

The palate resection is a little more complicated, and entails constant monitoring for the 24 hour recovery period, so they are hospitalised with their own nurse overnight to make sure there are no complications such as swelling which needs to be managed if it hampers their breathing.

They go home on a soft diet for a week, and to be kept quiet for 2 weeks, then back to their normal life.

We are committed to helping animals live healthy, happy lives

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