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.
The 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
