Archives > Opinion > Star Staff
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Brachycephalic Upper Airway Syndrome
This Bulldog has severely under-developed nasal openings; the classic stenotic nares. Note the prominent facial fold that, left untreated, will always be prone to yeast infections and dermatitis. This facial fold can also be corrected during the same procedure to relieve the Upper Airway Syndrome.
By Dr. Ed Mapes
Animals with shortened noses and mouths are called the Brachycephalic breeds. We all know how breeds like Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, and Pugs look like they ran head first into a wall. Persians are examples of brachycephalic cats.
These animals are well known for the snorting, gurgling, and drooling they do, and it can all be associated with being a brachycephalic. Some of these animals, though, can have severe airway restrictions that make breathing even more difficult; a situation that can become life threatening under certain conditions -- these unfortunates suffer from the Brachycephalic Upper Airway Syndrome.
Symptoms of trouble are worse at exercise, and include louder breathing sounds, slobbering, and decreased ability to exercise. You'll see elevated respiratory effort, very rapid breathing rates, possibly cyanotic (blue) oral membranes, and even collapse if they attempt vigorous activity or become overheated. These pets usually adopt more sedentary lifestyles rather than being more active.
Stenotic nares are abnormally narrow nostrils. Some patients I've operated on have had almost no openings at all, and surgical restoration of the nares makes a significant improvement in their breathing. Air can actually get through at last!
The surgery has traditionally been a bloody one when scalpel and scissors were used, but the new laser surgical techniques make this procedure much easier and faster, with very little bleeding and post-op swelling.
Overlong Soft Palate
Some dogs are born with a soft palate that is too long. It extends back into the throat, and produces severe rattling during breathing. Dogs with this condition have to exhale with more force than normal, leading to swellings of the larynx and damage the trachea as well; this makes breathing even more difficult. These are the cases that can become the most serious.
Correction of the overlong soft palate is a procedure that the laser has also made much safer; again due to the control of bleeding.
Tonsillitis
Many dogs undergoing these procedures are also found to have swollen tonsils because of chronic inflammation. The enlarged tonsils are usually removed during the same procedure.
Everted Laryngeal Saccules and Collapsing Trachea can occur as primary problems, but are more commonly secondary conditions that result from the increased effort to breathe. Everted laryngeal saccules represent swelling of normal tissue in the larynx that protrudes into the airway and restricts breathing. These can also be resected at surgery.
The collapsing trachea can occur secondary to the respiratory syndrome. My usual recommendation is to correct the stenotic nares, overlong soft palate, and swollen tonsils as the first step in treatment. Many patients' breathing is so much better with these procedures that the other conditions improve to the point that surgery is not needed.
Left untreated, animals with Brachycephalic Upper Respiratory Syndrome must live their lives with constant breathing difficulty. They are forced to sacrifice their normal energetic natures and love of physical activity -- in fear that a breathing crisis will occur. The procedures we use to alleviate these difficulties have now been made so much safer for the patient that none of these animals should have to live in fear of passing out. We really can help these guys, now even better than before.
Dr. Ed Mapes is a 1980 graduate of Michigan State University and previously owned two hospitals in Michigan. Dr. Mapes will open the new Stonebridge Animal Hospital at 5913 Virginia Parkway #100 in early July. Please visit http://offshorevoyager.com/dredmapes.html
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Star Staff «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
