Hi Friend,

Today's newsletter concerns brachycephalic syndrome- or dogs with short noses, and their accompanying respiratory problems. A main part of the story is not being able to recognize that there is a problem.

Being able to EXAMINE your dog or cat and KNOW that there is a problem is WHERE to START.

I go OVER this in DETAIL, and you can see it all in my new How To Start With Healing Your Pet At Home Video

http://www.theonlinevet.com/healingyourpets.php


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Short Nosed Dog Problems
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Source: Royal Veterinary College, London

Worrying numbers of "short-nosed" dog owners do not believe their pets to have breathing problems, despite observing severe clinical signs


New research finds that breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese and French Bulldogs may be suffering because owners dismiss chronic clinical signs as ‘normal’
   
58% of surveyed owners state that their dogs do not have breathing problems, despite over two thirds showing difficulties during exercise

Owners of certain popular “short-nosed” dog breeds, including Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese and French Bulldogs, are unknowingly putting their pets’ welfare at risk and not seeking essential treatment because they consider their pets’ signs of breathing difficulties to be ‘normal’ for that breed – so reveals a new study from the Royal Veterinary College, published on Thursday 10 May 2012 by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) in their journal Animal Welfare. Other affected breeds in the study included the Boston Terrier, Dogue de Bordeaux, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and short-nosed crossbreeds.


Spontaneous comments were also provided by several owners of affected animals who declared that their pet did not suffer from breathing problems. These included “No to breathing problem – other than being  a Bulldog” and “(No,) but he is a Pug!”.

Brachycephalic dogs are increasing in popularity, with Kennel Club registrations of the Pug alone increasing from 3,500 to nearly 6,000 per year between 2007 and 2010.

Rowena Packer from the Royal Veterinary College, who carried out the research, said: “Our study clearly shows that owners of brachycephalic dogs often dismiss the signs of this potentially severe breathing disorder as normal and are prepared to tolerate a high degree of respiratory compromise in their pets before seeking help. It may require a particularly acute attack, such as the dog losing consciousness, for owners to perceive a problem.”


James Kirkwood, Chief Executive and Scientific Director of UFAW, which publishes Animal Welfare, commented “It is likely that many other genetic welfare problems, caused by selectively breeding for particular physical characteristics, are also perceived by pet owners as ‘normal’. This could be a major constraint to working towards eliminating the problems since pet owners, through their pet-buying decisions for example, can pressure changes in breeding practices that would improve the health and welfare of pets. Lack of information has been a problem for pet owners and UFAW has addressed this by developing a web-based information resource that describes genetic conditions and their welfare consequences on a breed by breed basis. It can be seen at Genetic welfare problems of companion animals.




Best Wishes,

Dr Andrew Jones, DVM


P.S. Many of the short nosed breeds are wonderful dogs, such as Pugs ( my first dog  :-)   ).

But breeders, and those that judge/show dogs need to be more responsible, choosing health characteristics, such as LESS of a 'pushed in face', and ultimately healthier dogs.

P.P.S. Here is where you can get my NEW video, SHOWING you HOW to tell what is wrong with your pet.


http://www.theonlinevet.com/healingyourpets.php















DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and
is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian.
Dr Andrew Jones resigned from the College of Veterinarians of
B.C. effective December 1 2010, meaning he cannot answer specific
questions about your pet's medical issues or make specific
medical recommendations for your pet.


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