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Great expectations, inconvenient truths, and the paradoxes of the dog-owner relationship for owners of brachycephalic dogs

    An excellent new study out of the UK concerning Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), “Great expectations, inconvenient truths, and the paradoxes of the dog-owner relationship for owners of brachycephalic dogs” by Rowena Packer, Dan O’Neill, Francesca Fletcher, and Mark Farnworth.

    boas study flat-faced dogsThe study reports the results of a large-scale online survey, with valid responses from 2168 owners of brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs (Pugs: n = 789, median age of dogs 2.5 years; French Bulldog: n = 741, median age 2.0 years; Bulldogs: n = 638, median age 2.5 years). The most common owner-reported disorders in their dogs were allergies, corneal ulcers, skin fold infections and BOAS. One-fifth (19.9%) of owners reported that their dog had undergone at least one conformation-related surgery, 36.5% of dogs were reported to have a problem with heat regulation, and 17.9% to have problems breathing. Despite awareness of their dog’s health issues, 70.9% of owners considered their dog to be in very good health or the best health possible. Paradoxically, just 6.8% of owners considered their dog to be less healthy than average for their breed. Read the full study

    Aesculight lasers can help veterinarians perform life-changing procedures on these brachycephalic dogs who suffer from BOAS including stenotic nares surgery and soft palate resection. See more content related to BOAS and Surgeries