Flat Faced Dogs Health Issues Even though flat faced dogs face a lot of health issues, they are still the most preferred breeds of the pet owners. Well, who wouldn’t get mesmerized by these tiny portable toys that are cute as a button? They are so easy to scoop up in the arms and cuddle that all other foibles of this breed take a sideline when it comes to adopting them. However, it is still important to address them because they are pretty serious. They can demand a great deal of your physical presence with the dog, your finances and extensive care. Making oneself informed about the conditions and troubles they may face can thus make things easier and smoother for you and your pet. Here are some common health issues that are specific to brachycephalic i.e. flat faced dogs that you must be aware of.
Respiratory Issues A very common issue which is predominantly found in flat faced dogs is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). The problem is specific to this breed of dogs because of their short muzzles which doesn’t allow enough space for oxygen to move swiftly. The flab of tissue around the muzzle also exacerbates the situation. Their windpipes are also deformed which causes serious obstruction.
Skin Problems These breeds have deep skin folds which obstruct ventilation and increase the risk of yeast infections which in turn results into cracked and sore skin.
Eye and Ear Troubles Since these dogs have skin folds near the eye and ear as well, the chances of trapping debris and moisture is greater which again leads to infections of the eyes and ears in these dogs.
Dental Issues Though the muzzle is short in these dogs, the number of teeth remains the same as other dogs with longer muzzles. Thus, as a result, most of them overlap which causes food debris to remain stick to them and cause tartar formation.
Heart Problems Laboured breathing in flat faced dogs puts a strain on heart to pump enough oxygen into the circulatory system. This weakens the heart muscles over time and the dogs start having heart troubles as well.
Birthing Problems
Most of the brachycephalic breeds experience birthing problems because the infant has big head which causes problem in descending down the birth canal. Therefore, in most cases caesarean section is required to bring out the puppy. Other than these major problems, Brachycephalic breeds also suffer from secondary issues like –
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They have disturbed sleep Are prone to heatstroke Develop painful joints over time Suffer from skin infections Get Cherry eye
Reducing the Problem Brachycephalic dogs need lot of care and attention from their owners in order to stay healthy. Since they are prone to many bodily troubles, they are bound to be stressed out. Therefore, it is important for dog owners to reduce their mental suffering in the first place. Here is what you can do to help brachycephalic dogs – Avoid heat as it makes them pant heavily for breath Do not give any kind of stress to the dog Steer clear of overfeeding Provide healthy diet Groom them regularly to prevent skin infections Use a harness as collars can suffocate them Maintain optimal weight Get him surgically treated Brachycephalic dogs require surgery to remove the obstruction from their nose or breathing passage. It is thus recommended to get the dog surgically treated in case of severe discomfort.
Rising Concern The number of brachycephalic dogs has increased drastically with more breeders trying to make business out of breeding these popular canines. However, this practice is inadvertently facilitating the increase of dogs that are prone to illnesses. Thus, it is important to create awareness regarding these activities so a healthy population of dogs can be created. Reference- https://bestvetcare.weebly.com/home/health-issues-in-flat-faced-dogs-how-to-reducethem
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