Anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gas parameters in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome

ABSTRACT

Background: Brachycephalic syndrome is characterized by increased airflow resistance in upper airways due to the combinations of anatomical deformities such as stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and tracheal hypoplasia. There is little information in recent literature about assessment of anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gases parameters of these animals at early stages of the syndrome. The purpose of this study was to characterize and to compare anatomical, cardiovascular, and blood gases parameters in young brachycephalic or dolichocephalic and mesocephalic dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty brachycephalic dogs (BG) and 20 dolichocephalic and mesocephalic dogs (CG), aged up to 5 years, were included in the study. Anatomical abnormalities, systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure were recorded. Blood gas analysis and complete blood counts (CBC) were analyzed. Doppler echocardiography, electrocardiography, ambulatory electrocardiography, and thoracic and cervical radiographs were evaluated. The diameter of the nares in BG was lower when compared to CG (0.23 ± 0.08 versus 0.56 ± 0.05 cm, P 0.001). The Sa O2 was lower (P 0.001) and MAP was higher in BG (P = 0.05). All brachycephalic dogs had sinus arrhythmia (SA), and 15 (75 %) of these showed SA higher than 20% variation between adjacent [...]