Brahyphalic syndrome

Symptoms:

  • Loud breathing
  • Difficulty handling exercise
  • Difficulty with heat tolerance
  • Dyspnea (labored breathing)
  • Gagging when swallowing
  • Difficulty eating
  • Collapsing

Common Causes: 

The cause of brachycephalic syndrome typically comes down to genetics. The definition of brachycephalic is “short-headed.” Certain dogs have been bred in such a way that they have flat faces, short noses/muzzles, and small or misshapen nostrils. Certain other factors could include:

  • Cleft palate (brachycephalic breeds account for 30% of all cases)
  • Cleft lip (brachycephalic breeds account for 30% of all cases)
  • Narrow nostrils
  • Elongated soft palate
  • Everted laryngeal saccules (protruding masses that can interfere with breathing and eating)
  • Laryngeal collapse (airway obstruction)
  • Hypoplastic trachea (abnormal growth of the rings of the trachea)

    •  To prevent a predisposed dog to go into distress:

    Maintain ideal body weight Avoid stress / heat (use cooling mats) Use a harness instead of a collar

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