Biggie’s “Breathing lungs Dreams sleeping” became a Reality! Biggie the 2 year old french bulldog was recently hospitalized for heat stroke with a temp of 106 hot after being outside for a short time. He arrived at the ER with limited neurological responses & required intensive care to save his life.

Biggie suffered from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.

Biggie would become overheated, struggled to breathe & get adequate 🫁 oxygen, & had episodes of regurgitation.

Biggie is now LIVING a BETTER LIFE & BREATHING 🫁 GREAT after his BOAS laser surgery

An ELONGATED SOFT PALATE = ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUE in BRACHYCEPHALIC DOGS.

The soft palate = soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth that separates the nasal passages from the mouth.

An elongated soft palate extends into the throat (they suck this into the air pipe as they attempt to breathe) & it blocks oxygen airflow into the trachea/windpipe

Excitement, stress, barking, & panting causes the tissues to swell which leads to respiratory distress, airway collapse, & airway diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, heatstroke, & collapse.

To help correct this problem the elongated soft palate requires surgical correction known as a staphylectomy.

Did you know that adequate thermoregulation is dependent on nasal ventilation ?

Without the ability to breathe through the nose, brachycephalics are forced to breathe through the mouth. This is why we see these breeds open mouth breathing & panting.

Stenotic nares are genetic, caused by a malformation of the cartilage in the nose, & are a component of brachycephalic syndrome.

Stenotic nares are present from birth, though they might not cause problems until later in life.

Over time the increased airway resistance from pinched nostrils leads to increased effort to breathe in. This is hard on the larynx, which can collapse, making breathing nearly impossible which can lead to death.Dogs affected by stenotic nares can show the following symptoms:
* Noisy breathing, especially during inhalation
* Exercise intolerance
* Cyanosis – blue gums due to lack of oxygen
* Fainting