Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome

This diagram illustrates what the airway structure looks like in a brachycephalic dog; in this case, a Boxer.

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1. Nasal cavity 2. Oral cavity 3. Soft palate 4. Pharynx 5. Larynx 6. Trachea 7. Esophagus 8. Nasopharynx 9. Hard palate

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The brachycephalic dog has a shorter snout which causes the airway to be shorter, that means all the parts that make up the airway get pushed closer together. Due to this phenomenon, a brachycephalic dog has an elongated soft palate which can cause most of the problems with the dog's breathing. They can also have problems getting enough air in because of their elongated soft palate and shorter airway.

The primary anatomic components of BAOS include stenotic nares (pinched or narrowed nostrils), and elongated soft palate, tracheal hypoplasia (reduced trachea size), and nasopharyngeal turbinates.[3]

Other risk factors for BAOS include a lower craniofacial ratio (shorter muzzle in comparison to the overall head length), a higher neck girth, a higher body condition score, and neuter status.[5]

Recent studies led by the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh's Royal School of Veterinary Studies has found that a DNA mutation in a gene called ADAMTS3 that is not dependent on skull shape is linked to upper airway syndrome in Norwich Terriers and is also common in French and English bulldogs. This is yet another indication that at least some of what is being called brachycephalic airway syndrome is not linked to skull shape and has previously been found to cause fluid retention and swelling [6]

Breeds with less extreme brachycephalia, such as the Boxer, have less compromised thermoregulation and thus are more tolerant of vigorous exercise and heat.

• Dyspnea (breathing difficulty)
  • Noisy/labored breathing
  • Stridor (high pitched wheezing)
  • Continued open-mouth breathing
  • Extending of head and neck to keep airway open
  • Sitting up or keeping chin in an elevated position when sleeping
  • Sleeping with toy between teeth to keep mouth open to compensate for nasal obstruction[7]
  • Cyanosis (blue/purple discoloration of the skin, due to poor blood oxygenation in the lungs )
  • Sleep apnea
• Stress and heat intolerance during exercise.
• Snoring, gagging, choking, regurgitation, vomiting
• Collapse

Symptoms progress with age and typically become severe by 12 months.[7]

Despite observing clinical signs of airway obstructions, some owners of brachycephalic breeds may perceive them as normal for the breed, and may not seek veterinary intervention until a particularly severe attack happens.[8][9]

After waking from surgery, most dogs that are intubated will try to claw out their tracheal tube. In contrast, brachycephalic dogs often seem quite happy to leave it in place as it opens the airway, making it easier to breathe.[10]

This syndrome is diagnosed on the basis of the dog's breed, clinical signs, and results of a physical examination by a veterinarian. Stenotic nares can usually be diagnosed on visual inspection. Diagnosis of an elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, or other associated anatomical changes in the mouth will require heavy sedation or full general anesthesia.[11]

Stenotic nares in a Boxer before (left) and after (right) surgery.

Treatment consists of surgery for widening the nostrils, removing the excess tissue of an elongated soft palate, or removing everted laryngeal saccules. Early treatment prevents secondary conditions from developing.

Potential complications include hemorrhages, pain, and inflammation during and after surgery. Some veterinarians are hesitant to perform soft palate correction surgery. With CO₂ surgical lasers, these complications are greatly diminished.[12]

Avoiding stress, high temperatures, and overfeeding can reduce the risk. Using harnesses instead of collars can avoid pressure on the trachea.

The risk of brachycephalic syndrome increases as the muzzle becomes shorter.[5] To avoid producing affected dogs, breeders may choose to breed for more moderate features rather than for extremely short or flat faces. Dogs with breathing difficulties, or at least those serious enough to require surgery, should not be used for breeding.[13] Removing all affected animals from the breeding pool may cause some breeds to be unsustainable and outcrossing to non-brachycephalic breeds might be necessary.[14]

Although outcrossing can attempt to lengthen the average snout length within a breed over time and reduce BAOS, it is not popular with established breed registries who record pedigrees of purebred dogs. In 2014, the Dutch government passed the Animals Act and the Animal Keepers Act, and subsequent enforcement caused the Dutch Kennel Club (Raad van Beheer) in 2020 to announce they were restricting registrations within 12 dog breeds based on snout length, and encouraging outcrosses to other breeds, while promising that future generations may be eligible for registration as purebreds. This caused concern with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), of which RvB is a member, and with the American Kennel Club, both of which expressed concerns about governments legislating such matters.[15][16][17]

Exophthalmos in a pug

Non-airway problems associated with brachycephalia may include:

• Inflammation in skin folds
• Mating and birthing problems
• Malocclusion – misalignment of the teeth.
• Dental crowding
• Brachycephalic ocular syndrome[14]
  • Ectropion/entropion – inward/outward rolling of eyelid
  • Macropalpebral fissure
  • Lagophthalmia – inability to close eyelids fully
  • Exophthalmos/eye proptosis – abnormal protrusion of the eye
  • Nasal fold trichiasis – fur around the nose fold rubs against the eye.
  • Distichiasis – abnormally placed eyelashes rub against the eye.
  • Poor tear production
  • Gastrointestinal problems[18]

• Cephalic index – for lists of affected dog, cat, and other animal breeds