Strategies for the management and prevention of conformation-related respiratory disorders in brachycephalic dogs

Figures & data

Figure 1 Extreme brachycephalic morphology in a Pug.

Figure 2 Pug diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome exhibiting respiratory distress preoperatively.

Figure 3 Elongated soft palate in a Bulldog.

Figure 4 Stenotic nares in brachycephalic dogs, increasing in severity from left to right.

Figure 5 Close-up image of grade II laryngeal collapse.

Notes: Note the everted laryngeal saccules and medial collapse of the cuneiform processes of the larynx. This dog had undergone a folded flap palatoplasty prior to excision of the everted saccules.

Figure 6 Lateral thoracic radiograph of a Bulldog with a hypoplastic trachea.

Figure 7 Elongated soft palate.

Notes: (A) Pre- and (B) postsurgical resection.

Figure 8 Stenotic nares.

Notes: (A) Pre- and (B) postsurgical correction.

Table 1 Degree of improvement observed postsurgery in four studies of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, with categories as defined by the authors of the studies divided into four outcomes

Study, number of patients, and location	Worsened	Neutral	Slight improvement	Marked improvement
De Lorenzi et al,^Citation33 n=40, Italy	Poor Clinical situation worsened or did not improve after surgery 11.1%		Moderate Good improvement of the clinical situation with some limitations 30.6%	Adequate Excellent improvement in both the clinical situation and physical activity after surgery 58.3%
Riecks et al,^Citation18 n=62, USA	Poor Severity of clinical signs increased after surgery 2.94%	Fair No improvement 2.94%	Good Improvement in clinical signs with some limits on physical activity 47.1%	Excellent Marked improvement in clinical signs with no restriction on physical activity 47.1%
Torrez and Hunt,^Citation27 n=73, Australia		“1” No improvement 10.9%	“2” Some improvement 32.6%	“3” Marked improvement 56.5%
Lorinson et al,^Citation25 n=118, USA and UK		Poor Little or no improvement was noted following surgery 41.1%	Good Some remaining signs were seen but were of a minor nature 14.3%	Excellent All signs were ameliorated 30.4%

Note: Disease severity and surgical procedures performed were variable.

Figure 9 Obese Bulldog diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

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