Bulldogs are very very often times mis-diagnosed with hypoplastic trachea’s when they have colds, medical emergency’s etc. The average size of a bulldog trachea is: Bulldogs should be TD/TI > 0.12 ratio), but .09 & up is acceptable! Also see: http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2004&PID=8768&O=Generic

Research says that 55% of all bulldogs are hypoplastic. Excessive panting over periods of time can cause scar damage to form in the trachea. Another reason to keep bulldogs cool.

It is VERY important to note: If your vet tells you that your French or English bulldog has a hypoplastic trachea, demand the exact trachea measurement! Often vets misdiagnose the trachea size without even measuring the trachea! No trachea diagnoses should be made without the complete measurement! Also having the measurement will help diagnose exactly how small your bulldogs trachea is which will help determine the long term prognosis and best treatment.

How is brachycephalic syndrome inherited? Selection for exaggerated features has resulted in the respiratory difficulties in these breeds. For example breed standards for the English bulldog specify that the face should be very short, as should the distance between the tip of the nose and where it is set deep between the eyes. It is hardly surprising that this leaves little room for the structures involved in normal breathing. This being said Bulldogs that are more show quality or “more perfect” often show greater degrees of brachycephalic syndrome.

What does brachycephalic syndrome mean to your dog and you?

• You can greatly help your French or English Bulldog’s long term respiratory health by not allowing him to overheat or excessively pant. Allowing your French or English Bulldog to pant for long periods of time can actually cause exaggerated breathing issues by stretching out his soft palate, causing scar damage to his trachea & putting unneeded stress on his heart. Overheating is especially dangerous in these brachycephalic dog breeds, because increased panting (the normal mechanism for cooling in dogs) can cause further swelling and narrowing of the already constricted airways, which will increase your dog’s anxiety. Excitement, exercise, or warm weather (and especially a combination of these factors) can trigger this vicious cycle. These dogs can also have gastrointestinal problems, because of difficulties coordinating swallowing when they are working so hard at breathing. This can result in vomiting or gagging because of swallowing so much air, or aspiration pneumonia, because of breathing in saliva or food particles. KEEP YOUR BULLDOG COOL!

• Some cooling products that can be VERY helpful in keeping your Bulldog safe in Summer months are cool collars, spray bottles & cool jackets: www.calmingcollars.com (also, spray bottles with cool water).

All dogs of these brachycephalic breeds have an increased risk associated with sedation and anesthesia, for which your veterinarian should take extra precautions. Because changes in anatomy are common to all dogs of these flat faced dog breeds, diagnosis is really a question of the degree of abnormality. The overlong soft palate is best examined under general anesthesia, and so, because of the associated risks, your vet will most likely ask your permission in advance to surgically correct it at the same time if necessary. Neutering can often be performed at the same time.

How is brachycephalic syndrome treated? Medical treatment (oxygen therapy, corticosteroids): Albuterol sulfate breathing treatments are most effective when a bulldog has a bad cold or pneumonia. Surgery could be required. Most commonly this involves removal of some of the excess fleshy soft palate, and widening of air passages at the nostrils. It is important to keep your dog from becoming overweight, as this will worsen his or her respiratory difficulties in the long run. Please see OVERWEIGHT BULLDOGS.

For the veterinarian: Propofol should be used as this is a short-acting anesthesia. Sedation without intubation will relax upper airway muscles and may increase obstruction, and hyperthermia may develop in an oxygen tent or cage and exacerbate the problem. These dogs, particularly the English bulldog, have an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia following surgery to correct airway problems & should never be left unattended post surgery. In mild episodes of obstruction, short-acting steroids, oxygen therapy or breathing treatments of Albuterol Sulfate are most effective. Cooling the dog while it calms down may be sufficient. Please see HEATSTROKE IN BULLDOGS.

DEMODEX MITES: The demodex mites (Demodex canis) are normal microscopic inhabitants of dog skin. These mites are found under the skin of every dog breed. Similarly, most humans have demodex mites in their eye brows (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis). ALL dogs of every breed pass it to their puppies. Mother dogs pass the demodex mites to their puppies when they are 3 days old. Demodex can be contagious from dog to dog but is not contagious to people & IS NOT GENETIC (they are contracted from other dogs)! In most dogs demodex mites are present but do not cause a problem unless the dog is stressed or the immune system is lowered which could be caused by bacterial infection, past medication that hasn’t worked or surgery. Stress is a major cause, largely when a dog is teething or going through hormonal changes. Demodex mite infestations (demodicosis) are typically seen in puppies and young dogs less than two years old. This is usually due to the growing/immature immune systems of the young animals. Many young dog cases “outgrow” demodicosis on their own, without treatment. This is because the immune system develops, gets stronger, and keeps the Demodex mite population in control. Demodex mites are very commonly seen in young French & English bulldogs. Most bulldog vets understand that demodectic mites are under all dogs skin and show up in puppies due to the immune systems not being developed fully until 18 mos of age. Demodex is more commonly seen in the French and English bulldog breeds as these breeds have naturally lower immune systems than most other dog breeds.

Identifying demodex on your English or French bulldog: It often starts as a flaky, rough, sometimes reddened and moist patch of skin – often on the face, head, neck, ears, chest or front legs/paws. The skin often looks bumpy and rough and may even be damp or oozy. Later pustules resembling acne cysts can develop as the inflamed skin pores/hair follicles get clogged from debris from the mites and become infected and puss-filled.

TREATMENT:

• GOOD IMMUNE SYSTEMS SUPPLEMENTS – Best supplemet we have found is “COMPANION FOR LIFE DOG CHEWABLES” (800) 557-8477 order user ID #1006930; Ester Vitamin C.

• PRODUCTS SUCH AS – Goodwinol Ointment, Ivermectin, Amitraz (Mitaban Dips), Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor), Promeris (Advantage Multi).

INTERDIGITAL CYSTS: Red lumps that appear between the toes on the front or rear feet of your bulldog. Causes can include inverted hair follicles, grass seeds or cutting very long toe nails and altering the pressure put on the toes. To prevent interdigital cysts keep your bulldogs feet dry, clean & nails trimmed short.

TREATMENT:

• You can help alleviate them by soaking the dogs feet in a solution of WARM water & Epsom Salts, highly diluted bleach water, cooled kettle water, dry thoroughly & apply MSM Cream between each toe. A short course of the antibiotic cephalexin for 7-10 days. If your bulldog will allow it squeeze out anything that is ready to burst prior to soaking.