Reviewed and fact checked by Bruce Whittle, DVM
Canine Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is a condition that affects short nosed dog breeds. The word syndrome infers that there are multiple components to the condition and it is not a single “disease”. This syndrome causes breathing issues in affected dogs. It is the reason for the characteristic “snorting” of most bulldogs.
What is Canine Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?
Brachycephalic airway syndrome is an anatomic condition that causes an obstruction to airflow due to a combination of an elongated soft palate, stenotic nares and everted laryngeal saccules. In simple terms, this means the back portion of the roof of the mouth is too long, the nostrils are too small and the tissue just in front of the larynx (voice box) is loose enough that it gets partially pulled into the opening of the windpipe. Dogs may also have a narrowed trachea and paralysis or collapse of the cartilages of the larynx causing a narrowing of the opening. These factors all reduce the amount of air that can be inhaled with each breath.
What dog breeds are most commonly affected with brachycephalic airway syndrome?
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English Bulldogs
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French Bulldogs
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Pugs
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Pekingese
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Boston Terriers
What are common signs a dog has brachycephalic airway syndrome?
Most dogs with brachycephalic airway syndrome will make a lot of noise when they are breathing. This becomes especially pronounced during hot weather when a dog tends to pant more as part of their cooling mechanism. Most affected dogs will be reluctant to exercise, may have a bluish tongue if excited and unable to exchange enough oxygen during breathing and might even collapse suddenly. Some dogs may prefer to sleep on their back to allow the soft palate to fall down and away from the larynx thus opening up the airway. Some dogs may also gag when they are eating. Being overweight can make this syndrome worse.
What is done to diagnose brachycephalic airway syndrome?
The first step in diagnosing brachycephalic airway syndrome is to have a thorough physical examination performed by your veterinarian. This exam is all that is needed to determine if the nostrils are too small. To evaluate the soft palate and larynx it may be necessary to anesthetize the dog because these structures cannot be observed in an awake, panting dog with a large tongue. Radiographs can be helpful to determine if there is narrowing of the trachea.
Can anything be done to help a dog with brachycephalic airway syndrome?
Because brachycephalic airway syndrome is caused by a combination of anatomic anomalies, most treatment includes surgery. Surgery can be either with a scalpel blade, surgical scissors or a surgical laser which has the advantage of less bleeding during the procedure. The nostrils can be opened surgically, an elongated soft palate can be trimmed to a shorter length and the laryngeal saccules can be surgically removed as needed, depending upon the case. Surgery is most successful in younger patients. These surgeries may have complications, especially swelling of surgical sites in the post-operative period that may further obstruct breathing.
Summary
Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a collection of anatomic anomalies that results in difficulty breathing for affected dogs. It is very common in dog breeds with a short muzzle. Brachycephalic airway syndrome can often be treated successfully with surgery but these procedures have a better outcome when performed in a young patient. Because there is a continuum of the severity of the anatomic anomalies, some dogs may not necessarily need surgery. Owners need to be careful to not let their dog over-exert, especially in hot and humid conditions and need to contact their veterinarian if the dog develops a bluish tongue or experiences sudden collapse.
