Breathing Problems And Brachycephalic Syndrome

Breathing problems in your English Bulldog should always be taken seriously. One possible cause is brachycephalic syndrome.

Although it covers other conditions as well, this term is often used for something that is more correctly called brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome or BAOS for short.

Selective breeding to achieve the breed standard for English Bulldogs means that they have very squashed up faces, which doesn't leave them a lot of room for their nose. In turn, this leads to them having breathing problems.

The outward manifestation of this is snoring and snuffling. It can also affect the dog's ability to eat properly, they can have problems with getting breathing and swallowing in the correct order so that they don't choke on the food.

(Part of the breathing problems may be due to a condition called Hypoplastic Trachea, which is where the rings of cartilage that support the trachea are deformed or don't grow properly. The resulting, out of shape windpipe means the animal can't breathe properly.)

Because it's an inherited condition it becomes apparent in puppies when they're still very young, within the first few months.

The puppy may be struggling to breathe or may have a cough. You should always take the animal to the vet for a clinical inspection. Treatment will depend on what the vet sees. Some puppies grow out of it, others will need surgery to correct and relieve it.

What Are The Symptoms?

English Bulldogs generally snore and snuffle quite a bit anyway, but you may notice that your pet is more than usually noisy when they breathe in.

Bulldogs are not noted for their enthusiasm for physical exertion but if your pet is unusually reluctant to exercise, gets out of breath very quickly and wants to lie down and rest instead of moving about these can be signs of BOAS. You should get them looked at by the vet.

Another indication is if their gums are blue. Just like humans, turning blue is a sign of lack of oxygen.

If you see this, get the dog to the vets quickly.

How Is It Treated?

Depending on the severity of the condition the vet may be able to treat an inflamed airway by putting the dog into an oxygen tent and/or prescribing steroids. This is unlikely to be a permanent cure but will give relief until everything can be reviewed.

In many cases, surgery will be required to open up the airway and remove obstructions. Because it's already hard for the dog to breathe properly you should take advice from your vet about the most appropriate treatment. Sometimes having the surgery will result in other complications, and can lead to pneumonia, so this is why qualified professional advice is essential.

Things To Be Aware Of

If your English Bulldog has BOAS then you will notice it from a very young age. The vet is absolutely the best person to talk to about it, so don't delay.

• Prompt attention is essential. Remember that if a living thing can't breathe it doesn't take long for them to die.
• Weight Control. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight will always help any medical conditions. Carrying too many pounds around puts a strain on organs and can aggravate otherwise manageable conditions.
• Genetics. If your pet needs to have surgery for BOAS then you shouldn't use them for breeding as they're likely to pass on the condition to future generations.
• Overheating. Because breathing is hard work for them, you should always ensure that your dog is not getting too hot. Because of their short faces their cooling system doesn't work efficiently and they can die of heat exhaustion or a swollen airway very quickly
• Use a harness. To keep your dog on a leash, use a harness rather than a collar. Imagine how you would feel if you were having a problem breathing and someone put a tight collar round your neck! Harnesses are kinder and won't aggravate a breathing problem.

For more information, photos of the condition and information about corrective surgery techniques see this page from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (link opens in new window).

You may also find this reference book useful: Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (link opens in new window), which has a symptom sorter and quick reference guide to numerous dog ailments and conditions along with care tips and techniques. This is a book that will help you to decide whether your pet needs a visit to the vet.