Short-snouted dogs, such as English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, and pugs are incredibly cute. Their facial wrinkles account for their adorable expressions. Of course, most owners love to squish them gently. However, their squished-in, wrinkly faces also contribute a lot to their help problems. Short-snouted or brachycephalic dogs have narrow nostrils and a soft palate that’s a little longer than usual. As a result, they are more prone to respiratory problems.
The following paragraphs below will help you deal with the most common issues of short-snouted dogs. You’ll realize that there’s more to canine care than grooming shampoo, nail clippers, dog poop bag, dog poop scooper, kibbles, and collars.
Overheating/Heatstroke
Short-snouted dogs tend to succumb to heat stroke more than dogs with longer snouts. They can fall victims to overheating even at relatively lower temperatures. All dogs breathe to keep themselves cool and regulate their temperature. Since short-snouted dogs have smaller airways, they have to exert more effort in keeping themselves cool. Watch out for signs of heatstroke, especially during the summer months. Lethargy, difficulty in breathing (panting), increased heart rate, and heavy salivation are the most obvious symptoms of a heatstroke. When this happens, spray your dog with water from a garden hose. You can also dip towels in cold water and press them against his head, neck, chest, and belly. If you can’t keep the temperature down, rush the dog to the nearest veterinarian.
To prevent the occurrence of heatstroke, always keep the dog in a place with regulated temperature during the summer months. Keep fresh water available at all times. Make sure that there are shaded areas where the dog can rest. Finally, groom the coat if it is becoming thick.
Snoring
Snoring is typical among short-snouted dogs. Again, you can blame the pushed-in structure of their faces. The loose tissues just flap when they breathe, which results to snoring. Pet owners think it is adorable but seriously, this problem has to be addressed. Keeping the mindset that it is common among short-snouted breeds may make it difficult to distinguish sleep apnea. As early as possible, consider a soft palate resection to unblock his airways. You can also provide the dog with a round bed so it can curl up and snore less. Also try elevating its head a little with a pillow.
Flying
Short-snouted pets should be given extra care when flying and traveling. The U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that short-snouted dogs accounted for almost half of canine deaths on air. English bulldogs top the list, followed by the pug. French bulldogs are victims of airline deaths as well. The short muzzles of the dogs make it difficult for air to circulate. Therefore, traveling with short-snouted dogs is a big risk. Most veterinarians recommend a procedure for short-snouted dogs prior to flying. The soft palate resection procedure is quick and relatively painless. The veterinarian will clip the muscles and tissues by the nasal passage to make the airways bigger. Since it can get stuffy in the cargo, owners are advised not to travel with their dogs during the summer. Short-snouted dogs may have a difficult time keeping themselves cool. Also, do not put thick blankets in the dog’s crate. Thick blankets can worsen his breathing problems. Finally, lessen layovers for the dog if possible.
