Care for Brachycephalic Dog Breeds In New York City
Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group provides individualized care for your pet. A key part of that care is taking your pet’s breed into consideration. Some popular dog breeds are brachycephalic—or “flat-faced,” or “smoosh-faced.” You have probably seen these breeds yourself! Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, and Pekingese are all brachycephalic dog breeds. Some cat breeds also have this trait, including Persians and Burmese cats.
Our veterinarians have a high level of experience in treating brachycephalic breeds. This expertise influences how we approach every aspect of your pet’s health and wellbeing.
We take into consideration a variety of unique health issues when evaluating your pet:
Allergies
If we suspect your pet has a food allergy, your doctor will discuss food-related allergies with you and what formulas can aid in your pet’s dietary needs to avoid allergic skin reactions.
Environmental allergens are common. Allergy testing is available at our practice and if applicable, your doctor will create a personalized immunotherapy treatment plan for your pet.
Respiratory Issues
Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds tend to have breathing issues. Your doctor will monitor your pet for breathing difficulties caused by their elongated soft palate (the soft tissue on the roof of the mouth) or tracheal stenosis (narrowing of the trachea), both of which are common in brachycephalic breeds.
Another issue, brachycephalic syndrome, is a combination of upper airway abnormalities that cause partial obstruction to your dog’s breathing, due to their shortened skull/snout. The abnormalities that typically contribute to this problem include an elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and stenotic nares. A dog with brachycephalic syndrome may have one or all of these conditions. Combining lifestyle changes and surgery is the best way to treat brachycephalic syndrome in dogs.
Mobility Issues
On-site radiographs are available for evaluating hip, joint, or spinal-related pain and other issues. We offer a variety of pain management medications and therapies to improve your pet’s quality of life. These remedies can help manage common ailments such as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). We also have state-of-the-art laser therapy and acupuncture treatments available to help maintain comfort for patients with chronic pain.
Dental Disease
Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group provides Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) to ensure the health of your pet’s teeth and gums. We evaluate your pet’s mouth at every examination appointment, and our hospitals are equipped with the facilities necessary to perform thorough dental cleanings and extractions.
We often see crowded dentition in brachycephalic animals, which can increase their risk for periodontal disease. Routine oral exams and treatment can prevent this.
Special Surgery Considerations
To ensure your pet’s safety before surgery, they will be pre-oxygenated for 3 minutes prior to intubation. This gives us time to make sure they have optimal oxygen saturation. We follow strict protocols to extubate pets based on breed and risk factors.
Our specialized anesthesia protocols help to minimize the risk of regurgitation during surgery and prevent aspiration pneumonia.