Has Your Flat-Nosed Dog Been Diagnosed With Brachycephalic Syndrome? Steps That Will Help Alleviate Its Discomfort
Posted on: 8 August 2017
If you have a flat-nosed pet, such as a pug, or a bulldog, it runs the risk of suffering from a condition known as Brachycephalic syndrome. This condition is caused by a combination of abnormalities such as an elongated soft palate, narrow or constrictive nostrils, and everted laryngeal saccules- airway tissue that's pointed outward instead of inward. With brachylcephalic syndrome, it can become difficult for your dog to breathe properly. This condition causes the breathing difficulties that can be considered typical for flat-nosed dogs, including snorting, gagging, and nasal discharge. Sometimes the symptoms can become so severe that they cause respirator distress. If your dog has been diagnosed with this condition, there are treatment options to bring the condition under control. In addition, here are some steps you can take to help alleviate the distress so your dog can breathe easier.
Reduce Exposure to Heat
If your dog has difficulty breathing due to brachycephalic syndrome, the condition can be made worse by exposure to heat and humidity. To help your dog avoid breathing problems, it's best to keep it indoors during the hottest part of the day. You should also avoid strenuous activities with your dog when it's hot or humid outside. If you take your dog on walks, or to the park, make sure it's in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cool. If your dog becomes overheated, bring it inside and apply cool rags to its body, or give it a cool bath.
Avoid Constrictive Collars
When you take your dog outside for a walk, make sure you use the proper support. Avoid using constrictive collars that can put pressure on your dogs air passages. Instead, choose a proper-fitting harness for your dog. It's also important that you only have the harness on your dog when you're going to be heading outside. Leaving the harness on when your dog isn't supervised could cause it to get caught on something, which would lead to serious injuries.
Keep it Calm
Flat-nosed dogs have a hard enough time breathing under normal circumstances. When you add excitement, or stress, the situation can get even worse. If your dog suffers from severe brachycephalic syndrome, it's important that you keep it as calm as possible. As soon as your dog gets excited, or stressed, take measures to calm it down. One way is to have a small area set up as a calming zone for your dog. As soon as its excitement level interferes with its ability to breathe properly, take your dog to its calming zone for a few minutes.
If your dog has trouble breathing, use the tips provided here to alleviate some of the discomfort. If the condition worsens, be sure to contact your veterinarian. Visit a site like http://metzgeranimal.com for more help.
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