Hi dog lovers! Let’s talk about brachycephalic breeds! You probably know them for their charming looks and even more charming personalities, but there’s a lot to consider before welcoming one of these pups into your home. Along with their delightful personalities, these breeds can have unique health challenges – and require dedicated (and sometimes expensive!) care.
What are brachycephalic dogs?
The words “brachy” and “cephalic” come from Greek words meaning “short” and “head”. So these sweeties have short noses and flat faces, giving them the puppy-like appearance we all adore. Their big expressive eyes and often playful demeanour mean that these breeds have skyrocketed in popularity recently. Popular breeds include: French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, English Bulldogs and Shih Tzus.
What health challenges affect brachycephalic breeds?
Not all flat-faced dogs will suffer from breed-related health problems, but a lot of them do. Our team at Sai Kung Animal Hospital are treating more dogs for problems related to their breeding as these breeds grow in popularity. Here are some of the most common health problems we see with brachycephalic breeds:
Breathing problems
In my opinion, this is the #1 health issue we see in brachycephalic dogs. Many flat-faced dogs suffer from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Disease (BOAS), which can make breathing a challenge for them.
BOAS is a collection of conditions related to their breeding, including:
- Stenotic (narrow) nares and trachea: these dogs often have very narrow nostrils and windpipes, which can make it feel like they’re breathing through a straw.
- Elongated soft palate: if you’ve ever listened to a brachycephalic dog breathing, you may have noticed that it sounds like they are constantly snoring. This noise is caused by their soft palate extending too far into their throat and partially occluding their trachea.
- Everted laryngeal saccules: all dogs have small pouches in their throats, near their voice box, known as the laryngeal saccules. In brachycephalic dogs, these pouches can turn inside out and further reduce the space that air can travel through.
Because of these conditions, breathing can be a challenge for brachycephalic dogs. In milder cases, these dogs may snort, grunt or wheeze, and if your dog is doing this, it might be best to have a chat with your veterinarian. In more severe cases they may have a lot of difficulty exercising, or may even develop severe shortness of breath, which can obviously become life threatening very quickly.
Managing breathing difficulties in short-nosed dogs
If you have a brachycephalic dog, be cautious with exercise, especially in hot weather. Book an urgent vet appointment if your dog is having trouble breathing. Control their diet and exercise regime to ensure they don’t become obese, as this can put further pressure on their airways.
Several surgical techniques are available to reduce the severity of BOAS in short-nosed dogs, including soft palate resection to reduce the length of the soft palate, and surgery to widen the nares. Brachycephalic dogs face a higher anaesthetic risk due to their reduced airway diameter, so vets will only consider these surgeries if they are necessary to improve the dog’s quality of life.
Heart problems
Because brachycephalics have laboured breathing, this can lead to a lack of oxygen in their bloodstream. This stress on their body can sometimes lead to secondary heart problems. I recommend regular check-ups with your vet to look out for any early signs of heart disease in brachycephalic dogs.
Overheating/heatstroke
At Sai Kung Animal Hospital we see several cases of heatstroke every year – our hot weather can be deadly for dogs! Dogs cool themselves by panting – moving air over their hot tongues. Dogs with traditional facial anatomy have a large tongue surface area, which facilitates better cooling. In flat-faced dogs, this is reduced, putting them at much higher risk. Furthermore, brachycephalic dogs are prone to obesity, which means they retain heat more, increasing their risk of heatstroke even further! Avoid exercising your brachycephalic dog on hot days.
Dental dilemmas
All adult dogs have 42 teeth. Brachycephalic dogs have shorter jaws, which means their mouths can become overcrowded with teeth – increasing their risk of dental disease. Sometimes teeth can be surgically removed to reduce the overcrowding. Regular dental care, such as brushing your dog’s teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste, can help to alleviate the dental disease that can develop from overcrowding.
Skin and ear problems
The adorable bunched skin of brachycephalics can lead to some health problems. Deep skin folds around the head and neck can result in a warm, moist environment – perfect for yeast and bacterial infections. Brachycephalic owners can help to mitigate this issue by regularly cleaning the folds with specialised dog-safe facial wipes and using a good quality medicated shampoo regularly. Some brachycephalics may require surgery to help correct the worst skin folds.
Eye issues
Brachycephalics have protruding eyes (a disease known as exophthalmos). This means their tear film may not cover the eye properly, resulting in incidences of eye infections and sometimes painful corneal ulcers. Some dogs with exophthalmos may need regular lubricating eye drops applied at home.
Birthing difficulties
A lot of short-nosed dogs struggle to give birth naturally. The puppies’ heads are very large, and the mother’s pelvis is often very small. This can result in emergencies like the puppy getting stuck when trying to give birth. Frequently a c-section is required to help deliver the puppies successfully. Consult closely with your veterinarian before deciding to mate your dog. I recommend spaying or castrating your dog if you are not experienced with pregnancy in brachycephalic dogs.
Choosing the right flat-faced pup
If you’re thinking about a brachycephalic breed for your family, it is important to do your research. The honest truth is that many brachycephalic dogs can’t live happy, healthy lives without veterinary intervention. Veterinary care for some of these conditions can be expensive, and you will need to factor these costs in when deciding to get a brachycephalic dog.
Some things you can do are:
- Consider adoption – unwanted dogs are always looking for homes, and you might find the perfect new furry family member for you.
- If you decide to purchase a puppy from a breeder, ensure the breeder has animal welfare as their top priority. Ask for health certificates and enquire as to the health of the parents of the puppy.
- Don’t support the breeding of dogs with known heritable health problems, and avoid purchasing puppies that required a c-section to be born.
Final thoughts
All dogs bring such joy to our lives, and brachycephalic dogs will need a bit more attention paid to their health. By being informed and prepared, you can give your new furry friend the happy, healthy life they deserve!
Dr John Neskudla BVMS, BBioMed, MRCVS
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