Seizure and more Breathing Problems
Overview

The upper airway in dogs consists of the passages that air travels through on its way to the trachea (windpipe) and lungs. This includes the nose, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. There are a variety of problems that can affect the upper airway and compromise the normal flow of air.

The term brachycephalic refers to dogs of a particular short-face conformation (dogs that have a shortened nose and mouth). Brachycephalic breeds such as the English bulldog, Boston terrier, pug, and Pekingese, are most commonly affected.

Brachycephalic syndrome is a group of conditions that cause resistance to airflow through the upper respiratory tract (nose, larynx) in short-nosed breeds of dogs. This syndrome is caused by anatomic abnormalities related to the shortened bones of these dogs’ compressed faces without the same proportionate shortening of the overlying soft tissues. The excess soft tissue leads to airway compromise.

A particular set of upper airway abnormalities affect this type of dogs. These problems include stenotic nares (closed nostrils), everted laryngeal saccules and an elongated (overlong) soft palate. These dogs can have any or all of these conditions (Linda Louise had all three – lucky us!). Sometimes these problems compromise respiration to such an extent that surgical intervention is required. Although the abnormalities are present at birth, clinical signs of respiratory difficulty often begin in early middle age.

Increased airway resistance from brachycephalic syndrome over a long period of time can lead to progressive respiratory difficulty. The larynx and trachea become weaker as the large negative pressure of the increased effort on inspiration continually draws them in. Eventually they may collapse causing critical airway obstruction, cyanosis (blueness to the color of the gums), and possibly death.

overview | symptoms | stenotic nares (closed nostrils)
everted larygeal saccules | elongated soft palate | home care
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