Brachycephalic or short-nosed dogs are one of the unique dog breeds that are characterized by some health concerns from birth. The structural deformity associated with the head in brachycephalic dogs constitutes for all the health concerns, known by the name Brachycephalic Obstructive Syndrome (BOAS).
The term “BOAS” not only covers the breathing issues (the main and the immediate health concern) but also all the other common concerns related to the elongated soft palate which blocks the trachea, causes stenotic snares and much more.
Let us have a quick look at the health issues, symptoms and treatment options related to brachycephalic dog breeds.
Health issues in brachycephalic dog breeds
The list of health issues related to short-nosed dogs might seem endless. This is why it is recommended that you should think twice prior to adopting them.
Even with all the health concerns, it is always worth to adopt a brachy, as the love and commitment that you get in return is peerless. However, if you are a person who works around the clock or cannot invest too much time to take care of your pooch, it is better not to adopt a brachycephalic dog breed.
Some of the common health issues with brachycephalic dog breeds are:
- Breathing Issues
- Stenotic Snares
- Dental Health
- Ocular Health
Symptoms
Symptoms of common health issues in brachycephalic dogs can go unnoticed. This is because the issues like protruding eyes and breathing troubles seem quite common. But these can the strong indicators of underlying or upcoming serious health concerns.
Some of the common symptoms related to brachycephalic health issues are:
- Heavy snoring
- Breathlessness
- Snorting
- Bulging and watery eyes
- Obesity
- Teeth crowding
- Vomiting snorting and coughing
Any of the above symptoms or immediate related concerns to it, which seems to be prolonged or extreme, can even threaten the life of your brachycephalic pooch. Early detection and prevention can be the key; this is why we recommend that you take your brachycephalic for a health checkup at least once a week.
Treatment options
Most of the concerns regarding the physical abnormalities which causes issues like snorting, breathlessness can be surgically corrected. However, surgery can be a last resort and the major procedure would be the shortening of the elongated soft palate or removing the laryngeal saccules.
Doctors even opt surgery to correct some ocular health issues like curling eyelids, post-operative care for which can be a tad lengthy.
As a pet parent, some of the factors that you can consider as alternatives to surgery are the following:
- Keeping obesity in check by maintaining a perfect exercise routine
- Grooming your dog on a regular basis
- Taking special care of his teeth and putting him on an enzyme-rich diet, which seconds healthy teeth and gums
- Regular checking and cleaning of facial folds to prevent yeast formation
- Lubricating the eyes to prevent dry eyes
Taking care of your brachycephalic dog can be a hassle, but the above-listed checklist can give you an insight on how to get started.