FACT: exercise intolerance IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY BREED OF DOG

Have you ever wondered why most normal length nosed dogs don’t snore, but those with short noses often do?

Dogs with a normal upper airway tract breathe quietly. But for some short nosed dogs, their nostrils are too pinched, the soft palate is too long and the windpipe is far too narrow, restricting the passage of normal airflow and resulting in noisy breathing.

The constricted airway makes it difficult to breathe and this is worse during sleep when the muscles and soft tissues are relaxed, causing snoring. (Note - There are some other causes of snoring that are not caused by BOAS).

Just as in people who suffer with snoring and sleep apnoea, short nose dogs too can suffer the same feelings of oxygen deprivation and suffocation when their airway is constricted.

In worst cases, some dogs will faint or collapse due to a lack of oxygen, especially when exercising or excited. Others may overheat, sometimes fatally.

But far more commonly, there are subtle signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome that can often go unrecognised:

• Many affected dogs have chronic sleep deprivation. They may be forced to sleep sitting or standing up, because of their breathing problems.

• Not being able to exercise as long or with the same intensity as a normal length nosed dog.

• Regurgitating up foam, water or food after exercise.

• Vomiting food or feeling nauseous in the morning.

CLINCIAL SIGNS OF BOAS

THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS COULD BE AN indicatOR FOR upper airway obstruction and SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED

Having a squishy nose not only affects breathing, but it can also impact:

• Thermoregulation

• Sense of smell

• Appetite & Feeding

• Vision

• Dental Function