• Definition – a series of obstructive and typically progressive
  airway abnormalities affecting all brachycephalic breeds
  
  
• Breeds commonly affected –
  Bulldogs – English, American, French
  Pug
  Boston
  Boxer
  Himalayan
  
  
• Components –
  Stenotic nares
  Elongated soft palate
  Mucosal edema
  Eversion of the lateral ventricles (saccules)
  Laryngeal collapse
  Tracheal hypoplasia
  Nasopharyngeal turbinates
  
  
• Clinical signs –
  Snoring
  Wheezing
  Coughing
  Hyper-somnolence
  Choking, spitting food out
  Exercise and heat intolerance
  
  
• Complications –
  Progressive “micro-trauma” to the airway mucosa
  Increased work of breathing – exercise intolerance
  Structural failure (laryngeal collapse)
  Secondary effects on the heart
  Pulmonary hypertension
  
  
• Treatment –
  Corticosteroids - to temporarily reduce inflammation/edema
  Surgical intervention for some conditions (those with * above)
  Weight management – obesity worsens clinical condition & signs
  No treatment for some of the components (those in blue)
  Breeding practices -
  

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