Brachycephalic

Smashed Face Equals Health Problems in Brachycephalic Dogs

If you're fond of dogs that have a "smashed in" face, then your pet likely falls into a special category of canine known as brachycephalic. The term comes from two Greek words: "brachy," which means short, and "cephalic," which means head.These types of dogs have been bred through the generations to have a normal lower jaw in proportion to their body, and a compressed, or shorter, upper jaw. Because of selective breeding, these dogs also have developed a number of health conditions that may cause concerns.Specifically, these dogs often have brachycephalic respiratory syndrome, a condition that affects different areas of the respiratory tract. Breeds most often affected are Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Pekingese, Pugs and Shih Tzus. [...]

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Pinched Nostrils In Pug-Nosed Breeds

The medical term for pinched nostrils is stenotic nares and it is a common problem in many of the brachycephalic or pug-nosed dogs. These breeds seem to have a huge list of respiratory problems that can develop over time due to their short head formation and the compact nature of the respiratory system. Stenotic nares in themselves may not be problematic for the dog unless there are other complications that make breathing difficult for the pet.The most common breeds affected by stenotic nares include Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, English Bulldogs, Boxers and Shih Tzus. These dogs are born with cartilage malformations in the nose that limit or restrict the opening of the nostril, slightly to greatly reducing the airflow through the nose. [...]

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Keeping Cool In The Dog Days Of Summer

In their natural wild state canine species such as coyotes, wolves and even foxes tend to spend most of their time in the hot summer months deep in shady areas or in cooler, low areas along waterways. While not nocturnal, they do prefer to stay relaxing and sleeping in the heat of the day, then come out and hunt and travel in the evening, morning and night hours. This natural way to monitor their body temperature puts a lower demand on their respiratory and circulatory systems and helps to keep them at a comfortable temperature. Of course staying out of the direct sun as well as limiting movement at this time also helps a lot. [...]

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