Current thinking about brachycephalic syndrome: more than just airways

Brachycephalic syndrome (BS) is a well-known combination of hereditary abnormalities occurring in both dogs and cats as a result of selective breeding for shorter heads and dorsorotation of the face. Although respiratory problems, sometimes life-threatening in severity, are the best recognised of the problems associated with BS, the problem is not limited to the respiratory tract. Brachycephalic dogs and cats also suffer a range of digestive disorders, sleep disorders/apnoea, exercise and heat intolerance, dermatological and ocular conditions. Brachycephalic animals are restricted in many facets of what should be considered normal daily life, with serious implications for a reduced quality of life. Unfortunately many owners of brachycephalic breeds do not perceive these limitations to be either life-threatening or that they might be uncomfortable or distressing to the dog and affecting its quality of life. There are surgical techniques that can help alleviate obstructive respiratory components, and medical treatments for some of the others, but this should not detract from the necessity to reduce the prevalence of this disorder on animal welfare grounds.