They’re photogenic and popular on social media – but brachycephalic dog breeds, such as pug or bulldogs, often suffer from serious breathing problems. More and more are having surgery.
Check out this recent article from The Guardian: “‘This is a calamity’: the surgeons keeping pugs and bulldogs alive” by Simon Usborne.
by Simon Usborne
Excerpt from the article: The most striking thing about Sidney’s mouth, which has been hoisted wide open with rope, is his teeth. They are in unusually good condition for a four-year-old bulldog. His incisors, while gappier than a row of gravestones, are a brilliant white and his tusk-like canines gleam like polished ivory under the surgical lights. Further down the dog’s jaw, however, the picture is less healthy. Sidney can’t breathe properly... Read the full article here.
How CO2 lasers are used in treating brachycephalic dogs
The use of a VetScalpel and Aesculight surgical CO2 lasers decreases pain, inflammation and greatly reduces hemorrhage. The use of a CO2 laser to correct elongated soft palates, stenotic nares, and to perform other soft-tissue orofacial procedures offers many benefits over conventional methods such as scalpels, scissors or electrosurgical units.
Here are some example publications of where a CO2 laser is used for stenotic nares and elongated soft palate procedures:
- “CO2 Laser Allows Bloodless Repair of Stenotic Nares” by Daniel M. Core, DVM
- “Brachycephalic Syndrome in Dogs” by Ewelina Stanclik
- “Elongated soft palate resection with a CO2 surgical laser” by Ray Arza, DVM
