Breeds of dogs with a flat muzzle in veterinary medicine are called brachycephals. In such animals, the skull is modified as a result of artificial selection. Their muzzle is short, flat, which is why dogs are prone to certain physiological problems associated with breathing.
Brachycephalus List
Dogs called this term include:
- Bulldogs (French and English) - initially bred as dogs for fighting;
- pugs - created to warm a person;
- Pekingese
- mastiff dogs
- bullmastiffs;
- boxers are also fighting dogs;
- sharpei;
- Japanese chin;
- chihuahua;
- Pomeranian and others.
These breeds were specially bred by selection work aimed at obtaining and fixing the desired trait - a short flattened muzzle. But, unfortunately, dogs received many additional health problems.
The airways of dogs with a flat muzzle have undergone changes: the nostrils have narrowed, the soft palate has increased, defects in the formation of cartilage and trachea are frequent, the lacrimal tubules are meek or collected in folds. All pets of these breeds are forced to exert effort in the process of breathing to take a normal breath.
Brachycephalic syndrome
So called narrowing of the respiratory tract, which has clinical significance. In this case, the nostrils, nasal passages, soft palate, on the contrary, are elongated, the larynx and trachea are deformed in the dog’s body. As a result, there is severe shortness of breath, wheezing. Symptoms worsen in hot weather, with stress, physical exertion. The condition can lead to a serious lack of oxygen and even to faint the animal.
In dogs of brachycephalic breed due to respiratory failure, pulmonary pressure is often increased and cardiac pathologies occur. Pulmonary edema, airway obstruction is often diagnosed in these animals and often leads to sudden death, the cause of which is suffocation.
Is there a way out? Some veterinarians resort to plastic surgery, after which the dog's condition improves.
What should I look for?
The owner of a dog with a flat face should watch:
- Like a dog breathing in the heat. Respiratory failure in combination with overheating is a dangerous sign that can lead to irreparable consequences and even death.
- Do the nostrils of the animal stick together when inhaling.
- Does the dog make sounds and groans when breathing.
- If the pet constantly snorts, sneezes, puffs - this is not normal.
- In the collar, the dog begins to cough. It’s not worth it to inflict misery on your pet, but it’s better to walk the dog in harness.
- It is worth controlling the weight of the animal and not allowing it to gain extra pounds.
Signs requiring emergency veterinary care
If the dog has a flat face, the owner should always be on the alert. Here are the signs that require an urgent appeal to a veterinarian:
- loud wheezing when breathing;
- unnatural posture of an animal;
- frequent breathing
- animal anxiety;
- a pale or blue tongue, as well as lips and gums;
- discharge of foam from the mouth.
In all these cases, you should not give the dog water or medicine, it is worthwhile to ensure the flow of air and urgently take the animal to the doctor.
Other possible health problems
In addition to respiratory pathologies, dogs with a flat face have other pathologies:
- Violations of the outflow of tear fluid. It happens that the eyes of such dogs are constantly wet. It may be vice versa - the eyeball is not sufficiently moistened, especially if the organs of vision are oversized.
- Tooth diseases. Often, brachycephalic malocclusion, and therefore there is plaque, stone, gingivitis.
- Excessive folds on the face lead to the spread of fungal infection.
- Problems of thermoregulation. Brachycephals often suffer from excessive body temperature.
- Allergic reactions are by no means uncommon in dogs of the breed in question. They appear in the form of skin rashes, as well as respiratory spasm.
- The tendency to gain weight. Dogs of brachycephalic breeds should not be overfed, excess weight can significantly impair their health.
Reverse sneezing
This phenomenon is often observed in brachycephalic dogs. It looks like this. The dog places its front paws, strains, makes a series of snorting sounds for a minute. After the attack, it behaves as usual. It could be different: the dog inhales, makes a loud sound and freezes, craning its neck.
Such sneezing can cause sharp smells, emotional reactions, dust in the nose. It is not a pathology, but its features are caused by the specific structure of the muzzle. But this phenomenon should be distinguished from brachycephalic syndrome, and therefore it makes sense to remove the attack on video and show the veterinarian. As a rule, during an attack, no additional measures are required, sneezing goes away by itself.
Tracheal collapse
Brachycephalic dogs are also susceptible to this pathology. This is a genetic disorder in which the tracheal rings are flattened, due to which the lumen of the organ is not round, but lunate. This leads to inflammation and coughing.
The condition may have a different severity, occurs after physical activity. And in difficult cases - and in a calm state.
If the condition is satisfactory, medication is used. In severe cases, surgery is indicated.
Ban on air travel
Owners of the dogs in question may be faced with the fact that they will not take the pet on board the aircraft, and also will not be allowed into the special compartment for transporting animals. This is due to the frequent death of such animals during flight. Stress, pressure change trigger the mechanism of acute respiratory failure in a dog. Therefore, you should not be upset because of the ban, but it is better not to risk the life of the animal and leave it for a couple of weeks with relatives or acquaintances. So you can save the life of the dog.
Let us consider in more detail some brachycephalic dog breeds and their features.
Pekingese
A breed considered sacred in ancient China. It is suitable for an inexperienced breeder, but you should not take the dog to families with small children, as the child can injure the animal.
Pekingese puppies are almost impossible to train because of their stubborn nature. The dog often barks, and for no apparent reason. This feature is also worth considering, especially if you decide to have a Pekingese puppy in an ordinary city apartment.
The advantages of the breed are longevity, cleanliness. Difficulties are grooming, rudeness with family members and other animals.
Pug dogs
This is a small dog with a flat face - a cute pet, unpretentious in grooming. The pet spends most of the time in a dream. The dog is sociable, playful, devoted to its owner, but sometimes stubborn. Pug can be started in the family. where there are little children. The dog is loyal to children's pranks, sometimes turning into a cute soft toy.
Pet care is easy. It is important to wipe the hair daily, the pug’s eyes are treated with a cotton swab dipped in tea leaves. The nasal folds are treated with cotton pads soaked in alcohol-free baby lotion. You can bathe a dog 1-2 times a month.
French Bulldog
This breed is a smaller “copy” of the English Bulldog. A muscular dog, it was initially bred to participate in battles, but later it was classified as a decorative breed. By nature, the pet is cheerful and cheerful.
Features of the French Bulldog breed are:
- Calm disposition, lack of fear.
- They cannot stand loneliness, they need constant communication with the owner.
- The need for minimal care (combing wool and washing infrequently).
- Stubbornness, because of which success in training should not be expected.
Dogue de bordeaux
This is a large animal with long hair. These dogs are also called French mastiffs. The animal looks intimidating, but has a calm disposition. They have a well-developed intelligence and excellent memory.
Features of the breed:
- Excellent security.
- I’m ready to stand up for my life and death.
- It can show aggression in relation to "strangers", but more often it scares with barking. It can only be cast as a response.
- They get along well with other dogs, but intolerant of other people's pets, can be aggressive.
The dog is designed to protect family members, and not the local area, so it may well live in an apartment, but it is worth considering its rather large size.
Care consists in combing out the hair, trimming the claws, and regularly inspecting the eyes and ears. Frequent bathing is not required, the procedure can be completely replaced with dry cleaning.
Sharpei
A dog that distinguishes itself from other breeds by a large number of skin folds. Sharpei have a sense of dignity and do not bother the owner with the need for careful care. The only thing that the owner should consider is the dog’s need for long and frequent walks to maintain the muscle corset.
The pet is squeamish about water, and therefore it is often not worth bathing.
The features of the breed are:
- Balanced character.
- Devotion to the owner.
- Security qualities.
- Cleanliness.
Cynologists call the lack of character, aggression towards other animals, and health problems in the form of allergic reactions.