Brachycephalic Syndrome

The “brachycephalic syndrome” is an awful congenital respiratory malformation often seen in dogs with rounded heads and compressed faces.

As you probably know, I’m mostly referring to English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and any other related breed.

Years of selective breeding compressed their skulls, which also added significant abnormalities to their respiratory systems. Affected animals possess shallow, deformed tracheas, slit-like nostrils, and various other defects that drastically impair their ability to breathe, up to the point where even the slightest exercise on a sunny day may prove fatal.

Even more, in times of intense stress, the trachea could collapse due to their panicked inhalations. Also, chronically affected dogs have this characteristic “honk,” which could precipitate breathing difficulties on its own.

Sure, there are a couple of surgical procedures that might alleviate some defects, but a collapsing trachea is very rarely fixable. Lots of English Bulldogs need surgery at a very young age just to make sure they have the minimum airway.

The operation requires opening up their nostrils and trimming the palate to help them breathe better. However, owners of breeds that are more at risk of suffering from brachycephalic syndrome should get them checked as soon as possible, and they should also make sure these animals are never in extreme temperatures or exercise excessively.