Bourbon Veterinary Hospital | Bourbon, IN

Certain short-nosed breeds of dog, such as the English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Pekingese, and Boston Terrier, are prone to difficult and loud breathing patterns because of the shape of the head, muzzle, and throat. Since these dogs have been bred specifically for the short-nosed (or brachycephalic) face, the throat and airways are frequently undersized or flattened. This condition is called Brachycephalic Syndrome. Some Persian cats can also have this condition.

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Brachycephalic syndrome consists of three conditions commonly seen in short-nosed breeds: 

• Elongated soft palate: the soft palate is too long causing the tip to protrude into the airway and interfere with air movement.

• Stenotic nares: the nostrils are malformed so that they are too small or collapsed inwards which narrows the airway and makes it more difficult for these dogs to breathe through their nose

• Everted laryngeal saccules: tissue that sits just in front of the vocal cords gets pulled into the airway and partially obstructs airflow. This is often secondary to increased pressures while breathing due to stenotic nares and elongated soft palate.

 

Some dogs may also have a narrower trachea than is ideal for their body size or a condition called collapsing trachea.

 

What is involved with surgery to correct an elongated soft palate and stenotic nares?

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The CO2 laser is used to perform both of these corrective surgeries. The elongated soft palate surgery involves removing the tip of the soft palate back to the point of the tonsils. The shortened soft palate will no longer protrude into the airway. The corrective surgery for stenotic nares involves the removal of part of the outer fold of each nostril. This procedure will widen the nostril opening allowing your dog to breathe more easily through their nose.

 

When should corrective surgery be performed?

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It is recommended that these procedures be performed earlier in life, often at the time of spay or neuter. This may prevent the condition of everted laryngeal saccules which involves more advanced corrective surgery at a referral hospital.

 

Do both procedures need to be performed?

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In many cases, both procedures will benefit your dog’s breathing to some degree even if done separately. Having both procedures performed will increase the improvement to your dog’s breathing and will decrease the risk of everted laryngeal saccules. Both procedures do not have to be performed at the same time. We recommend waiting 4-6 months between surgeries if you would like to do them at separate times to allow for full healing and recovery.

 

Will my dog’s breathing sound normal after the surgery?

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Your dog’s breathing will likely be improved and sound easier and quieter after the surgery. However, due to the body structure of many brachycephalic dogs and the likelihood of a small or collapsing trachea, your dog’s breathing may still be louder than a non-brachycephalic dog.

 

Will my dog look different after the surgery?

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Correction of the stenotic nares will alter the appearance of your dog to a slight degree. The nostrils will appear wider and more open than before surgery. There may be a slight loss of pigmentation at the edge of the incision. Normal pigmentation typically returns within six months.

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