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New Blackmore Vale, 8 July 2022
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Pets
Brachycephalic breeds and health by Lynn Broom Longmead Veterinary Practice
Brachycephaly means ‘short’ (brachy) ‘head (cephaly). Brachycephalic breeds typically have a short muzzle with an upper jaw shorter than the lower jaw. These features have been bred for over generations to give an appearance which varies significantly from wolves and wild dogs. Brachycephalic breeds include bulldogs and pugs. If these features are bred to excess then significant health issues can be present. The teeth and soft tissue are the same in a long-nosed breed as in a short-nosed breed but the underlying bony support is missing and this leads to problems. The teeth are often displaced and baby teeth are commonly retained. Displaced teeth can cause injury to the inside of the mouth leading to pain and infections and affected teeth may need removing. The soft tissue inside the mouth hangs loose when the skull is short and this leads to abnormal air movement and the typical snoring sounds. The dog finds it harder to inhale air leading to reduced ability to exercise, heat intolerance and
secondary problems of tracheal collapse and inhalation pneumonia. During exercise or hot conditions this can lead to collapse and death. Surgery can improve these symptoms but, once tracheal collapse and pneumonia has developed, permanent damage will have occurred and the benefits of surgery will be significantly reduced. Affected dogs often have narrowed nostrils which further reduce air flow leading to additional difficulties with breathing and this can also be surgically corrected. Eye problems are also common in brachycephalic breeds due to the shallow eye sockets leaving more of the eye exposed and the shorter muzzle provides less protection from trauma. Commonly these eyes suffer recurrent low-level injuries leading to reduced sensation allowing significant ulcers to develop before discomfort is noted. Chronic ulcers of affected eyes are difficult to heal, often need surgery and may lead to the loss of the eye. As seen on the inside of the mouth the skin on the face is the same volume as in a longer muzzled dog but has less space for attachment leading to the
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Some English Bulldogs can be prone to health problems because of their physical characteristics. PHOTO: Olga Oginskaya/ Pixabay
formation of skin folds which are prone to fungal and bacterial infections and eyelid abnormalities, all of which commonly cause pain. In addition to the facial problems, brachycephalic breeds commonly have spinal deformities. The corkscrew tail is an abnormal spinal formation and this often leads to skin infections around the base of the tail and may cause difficulties with defecating. Spinal issues further up the back are common and can lead to mobility issues later on.
BLACK LAB PUPPIES, bitches and dogs, family pet/working parents. Pedigree KC reg. Ready now. £1750. On hols this summer? We’ll help. 01747 840144 BEAUTIFUL TRUE PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER Puppies for sale. £1,000 each Array different colours. We have 1 bitch and 4 boys. Vaccinations/microchip/ worming/flea treatments all done. Ready to go now. All puppies can be seen at our family home with mum. Call Mark on 07774 189013 to arrange viewing. COCKER SPANIEL PUPPY 10 wks old black and white microchip and jab due to time wasters - 01963 458199 4 BORDER TERRIER DOG puppies,microchipped,vet checked,1st vaccination,both parents owned by us,4 star licensed breeder.bournemouth. £1,000 Tel: 07976 904175
While many of the facial defects can be surgically improved it would be preferable for the dogs welfare not to be bred like this in the first place. Many of these breeds can be healthier if they are not bred to have extreme features. To acquire a pet which is healthy and pain free it is important to choose a reputable breeder who does not breed for the extremes. Viewing the parents will allow you to choose a puppy with moderate changes who has a better chance of leading a long and healthy life.
KOI CARP for sale 12” £40 each 07745 898265 FOR SALE PEDIGREE BLACK LABRADOR puppies. Champion bred, KC registered. 07554 426744 PRETTY GINGER AND WHITE KITTENS litter trained £75 01747 830484 BEAUTIFUL PURE BRED BRITISH SHORT HAIRED KITTENS for sale Tel 07799 296502 AMAZON PARROT 9 months old - just started talking - with cage and toys etc. Tel 07480 411246 COCKER SPANIEL PUPPIES, KC registered. AMS, FN and prcd-PRA clear. Many FTW and FTCh in pedigree. Parents lovely temperaments. Ready 3rd Aug. 01747 850410 Contact us to advertise
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