If you’ve ever heard a veterinarian talk about a ‘brachycephalic’ animal, you might have wondered if they were talking about somebody’s pet dinosaur! In fact, this term refers to flatter-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs. These extremely popular breeds make wonderful companions, generally being playful and good-natured. But if you choose to welcome one of these cheery dogs into your family, it’s important to be aware of their potential health problems, and understand what proper healthcare for these special breeds can actually involve – practically and financially.

Noses

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (or ‘BOAS’) refers to the airway problems that frequently affect dogs with flatter faces, including narrow nostrils, excessive folds of tissue in the throat, and narrow windpipes.

These issues create increased airflow resistance, making it much harder for brachycephalic breeds to breathe, or to cope in hot weather. These issues generally worsen over time, meaning that energetic younger dogs who “seemed fine” during their early years may develop significant (and irreversible) breathing problems by middle age.

Our vets advise airway assessment (under sedation or anaesthetic) for all brachycephalic pets by 12-14 months old. Based on your pet’s airway condition, corrective surgery may or may not be required.

Spines

Unfortunately, there appears to be an increasing issue with some brachycephalic dogs being born with deformed vertebrae (spinal column bones), which can cause progressive spinal issues.

In severe cases of spinal deformation, specialist surgery is the only treatment option, however, a good outcome cannot be guaranteed. It’s therefore important to chat with your breeder when selecting a pup, to ensure that they screen their breeding stock for such problems.

Skin folds and tails

Brachycephalic breeds usually have skin folds around their noses, and may also have “corkscrew” tails (fused, curled tails) embedded into a skin fold near their bottom. These folds, particularly those around the bottom, often develop secondary irritation and infection and can be a real source of discomfort for your dog.

We recommend regular cleaning and drying of any skin folds. However, dogs with moderate-to-severe corkscrew tails often require surgery for long-term comfort.

If you are expecting the pitter-patter of brachycephalic pup paws into your household, our vets strongly advise considering the option of pet insurance (commencing as soon as your pup arrives to ensure the best coverage).

For more information on brachycephalic health care, ask our vets!