BRACHYCEPHALIC BREED CONCERNS

DOGS WITH SPECIAL FACES

English Bulldog (Photocredit: Morguefile.com)

Shih Tzu (Photocredit: Morguefile.com)

Pekingese (Photocredit: Morguefile.com)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Photocredit: Morguefile.com)

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND
"BRACHYCEPHALIC AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION SYNDROME"

Brachycephalic breeds make a lot of snorting respiratory sounds as a matter of course simply because of the way their throats and faces are shaped. These sounds are generated from a combination of several anatomic deformities which will be described below. These deformities occur to varying degrees of severity. Most brachycephalic dogs are not hampered by their anatomy on a day to day basis but they do have limitations that must be recognized. Severely affected individuals require surgical intervention.

STENOTIC NARES - This is a fancy name for narrowed nostrils. The brachycephalic dog's respiratory passage begins with very small, often slit-like, nasal openings for breathing. This leads to a great deal of open-mouth breathing and panting as the nasal breathing route is limited by its small opening. In selecting a puppy for adoption, it is a good idea to look at the nostril sizes on each member of the litter and look for the widest opening. Stenotic nares can be surgically corrected after age 5 months.

ELONGATED TONGUE (MACROGLOSSA) - The brachycephalic dog's tongue can be particularly thick and large which contributes to the overall obstruction. The French and English bulldogs seem particularly predisposed to this issue.

ELONGATED SOFT PALATE - It is difficult to fit the soft tissues of the canine mouth and throat into the brachycephalic's short face. As a result, the soft palate, which separates nasal passage from oral cavity, flaps loosely down into the throat creating snorting sounds. Virtually all brachycephalics suffer from this but actual respiratory distress is rare except in English Bulldogs. The English Bulldog tends to have more severe symptoms in almost all aspects of brachycephalic syndrome. Excess barking or panting may lead to swelling in the throat which can, in turn, lead to trouble. Again, the soft palate can be surgically trimmed.

TRACHEAL STENOSIS/HYPOPLASTIC TRACHEA - The trachea is also known as the windpipe. The brachycephalic dog's windpipe may be dangerously narrowed in places. This condition creates tremendous anesthetic risk and should be ruled out by chest radiographs prior to any surgical procedures as anesthetic safety depends on placement of a tube in the windpipe to secure air passage. If the trachea is too small, intubation may not be possible and it is important to know this in advance of any planned procedure. The English bulldog is particularly predisposed to this anatomical defect.

EVERTED LARYNGEAL SACCULES - The normal larynx has two small pockets called “ventricles” or “saccules.” When a dog has increased effort in breathing, over time these little pockets will actually turn inside out inside the throat. When this occurs, the protuberances obstruct the throat. This condition can be corrected surgically; however, in many cases, it resolves on its own after the stenotic nares are corrected so surgery is generally only performed in severe situations. The pug is especially predisposed to this situation.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has special travel guidelines for brachycephalic dogs at:

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Short-nosed-Dogs-and-Air-Travel-FAQs.aspx

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons has further information on Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome at:

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/brachycephalic-syndrome

Altogether, the upper airways of the brachycephalic dog compromises his or her ability to take in air. Under normal conditions the compromise is not great enough to cause a problem; however, an owner should take care not to let the dog become grossly overweight or get too hot in the summer months. Be aware of what degree of snorting and sputtering is usual for your individual pet plus, should your pet require general anesthesia or sedation, your vet may want to take extra precautions or take radiographs prior to assess the severity of the syndrome. Anesthetic risk is higher than usual in these breeds, though under most circumstances the necessary extra precautions are readily managed by most animal hospitals

To be clear, brachycephalic syndrome can be progressive if it is not corrected at an early stage. Severely affected dogs can actually experience collapse of the larynx and require a permanent tracheostomy (a hole in the throat for breathing).

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

There appears to be a constellation of stomach and swallowing issues that correlates to the respiratory obstruction. In brachycephalic breeds, the esophagus (the tube that conducts swallowed food from the throat to the stomach) experiences reflux of stomach contents backwards. This generates pain and inflammation. Compounding this problem is retention of food in the stomach for prolonged periods. Pooling of food in the stomach creates a sensation of nausea and increases the potential for vomiting and/or stomach acid reflux. The English bulldog seems particularly predisposed to GI complications in this way. This sounds like an issue separate from the respiratory syndrome but, in fact, the reflux, regurgitation and even herniation of part of the stomach into the chest cavity stems from the extreme inhalation efforts made agains the upper airway obstruction that comes from the shape of the brachycephalic head. Medications are helpful for the intestinal issues as is weight control but often correction of the respiratory obstruction corrects the intestinal problems as well.

EYE PROBLEMS

With most of the nasal bones compacted, brachycephalic dogs tend to have trouble with the way their eyes seat in their heads. The eye sockets are shallow making the eyeballs especially prominent and vulnerable. Often a nasal fold of skin rubs on the eyeball and/or there are eyelashes rubbing on the eye.

LAGOPHTHALMOS - Sometimes, the eyes are so prominent that the lids cannot close all the way over the eyes. This will lead to irritation and drying of the center of the eye unless surgical correction is performed. If you cannot tell by watching your pet blink, watch as your pet sleeps to be sure the eyelids close all the way. If the eyelids cannot protect the eyes, blinding pigmentary changes will form where the eyes become irritated.

NASAL FOLD IRRITATION - Many brachycephalic dogs have a fold of skin between the nose and eyes. This skin fold may need regular cleaning as it will tend to collect skin oil and moisture but it can also be prominent enough to rub on the actual eyeball. Chronic irritation will show as a pigmented area on the eye surface, especially on the side nearest the nose. This is hard to see without a bright light but if it is noted, a search for the cause is warranted. Depending on the location of the pigmentation, surgery may be recommended.

ENTROPION (TURNED IN EYELIDS) - The shortened face leads to rolling of the eyelids in such away that the eyelashes or even haired skin can rub on the eye. This is not only uncomfortable but will damage the eye. Some dogs have eyelids that droop (or turn out) in one area but turn inwards in another area (usually the corner of the eye). Surgical correction may be needed to protect the eye and restore comfort.

"DRY EYE" (KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA) - Brachycephalic breeds tend to get more than their share of tear production problems. In this situation, inadequate tears are produced and a thick goopy yellow eye discharge results. In response to the irritation the eye develops pigmentation and can become blind if treatment is not instituted. This condition is treatable with medication so it is important to recognize it before it progresses to a point where vision is lost and the goal is simply restoring comfort. For more information on KCS click here.

RISK OF PROPTOSIS - Recognize the prominence of the eyes on these dogs. The bony eye sockets are very shallow. This means that any blow to the back of the head, even a fairly minor one, can cause an eye to pop from its socket and require surgical replacement or even removal of the eye. This can happen also with too much pulling against the leash if the pet is wearing a collar. You may wish to consider a harness for your pet. Traumatic proptosis is frequently blinding to the eye.

OTHER CONCERNS

The normal dog has 42 teeth in its mouth. The brachycephalic dog also has 42 teeth but a lot less space to fit them in. This means that the teeth will be crowded and growing in at odd angles which, in turn, traps food debris and leads to periodontal disease at a far younger age than in non-brachycephalics. The earlier you begin using home care dental products, the longer you will be able to postpone full dentistry under general anesthesia.

As mentioned, skin fold infections are common amid the facial folds of the brachycephalic breeds. Be sure to examine these areas periodically for redness. Even if the fold does not rub on the eyeball, it will likely need regular cleaning and topical disinfection.

The broad headed nature of these breeds makes reproduction a tricky matter as Caesarean section is frequently needed. Difficult labor is common and, as surgical assistance is often necessary, it is important not to breed females with tracheal stenosis (see above). Brachycephalic breeding is not for the inexperienced.

Breeding for a rounder head in short-faced breeds has created difficulty clearing secretions from the ears. Primary Secretory Otitis Media (abbreviated PSOM) is an issue in short faced dogs as their middle ears fill with secretions requiring special drainage. The Cavalier King Charles spaniel is most famous for this condition but any round headed breed can fall victim to this uncomfortable condition.

Altogether, the brachycephalic breeds show plenty of personality and intelligence just as all dogs do but because of their special needs, they require some extra knowledge of their owners. If you have any questions about your brachycephalic dog, please do not hesitate to call your veterinarian if you have further questions. 

 Page last updated: 10/13/202
Page last reviewed: 5/27/2023