Brahycephalic Syndrome Research Paper

Signs and Symptoms of Brachycephalic Syndrome: The amounts of problems associated with this syndrome are many and often severe. On an auditory aspect, these breeds of dogs will often be generally loud breathers. Increased panting, snorting and snoring are a few things most owners experience on a daily basis. Some dogs with more severe forms of Brachycephalia will cough and gag. Overheating is a big issue and is caused when the increase of panting swells and narrows the airways even more than they already are which leads to increased anxiety in the dog(CIDD). Excessive heat, exercise and excitement can cause cyanosis and collapse, and dogs that are overweight can exacerbate these issues even more (ACVS). A general severe dyspnea is very commonplace (Koch). There have been some reported gastrointestinal issues when the dog has issues coordinating swallowing and breathing, when it is focusing so much on the latter. This can cause vomiting due to the large amount of air swallowed. Aspiration of food and saliva can also become problematic (CIDD). Suffocation during sleep is a very real possibility …show more content…
Anesthesia is a large risk for brachycephalic dogs, as most drugs cause relaxation of the upper respiratory track leading to severe dyspnea (Koch). When the dog is under anesthesia, examination and confirmation of an elongated soft palate and everted laryngeal saccules yield a diagnosis. The elongated soft palate has been seen to range from extending past the tip of the epiglottis to extending into opening of the larynx. Generally the tip of the soft palate and the edges of the larynx show signs of inflammation (ACVS). Radiographs of the chest to check for secondary changes to the lungs and to diagnose the hypoplastic trachea can also be a diagnostic tool (Koch). Stenotic nares are often diagnosed during a general physical exam