Brachycephalic Dogs: Health Guide for Flat-Faced Breeds

Who doesn’t love an excitable pug or a surly bulldog? While their appearance is adorable, flat-faced or brachycephalic dog breeds tend to suffer from health conditions as a result of their unique anatomy. Let’s take a closer look at the various types of brachycephalic dogs and what it means for their health.

What Does Brachycephalic Mean in Dogs?

Brachycephalic means “short-headed” and describes dogs with shortened skull bones that give their face and nose a flat or pushed-in appearance. This skull shape can also affect soft tissues and contribute to breathing problems.¹

Common Brachycephalic Dog Breeds

Here’s a list of the most well-known brachycephalic breeds:²

• Affenpinscher
• Boxer
• Bulldog
• Brussels griffon
• Bullmastiff
• Boston terrier
• Cane corso
• Chow chow
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• French bulldog
• Japanese chin
• Lhasa apso
• Pekingese
• Pug
• Shih tzu

Brachycephalic Syndrome in Dogs

Many flat-faced dog breeds experience a number of abnormalities in their upper airway system, leading to a condition known as brachycephalic airway syndrome or BOAS. The condition involves three functional abnormalities:³

1. Elongated soft palate: The palate is the soft part of the roof of a dog’s mouth. An elongated soft palate extends too far into the throat and may partially block the windpipe, making breathing difficult.
2. Everted laryngeal saccules: Saccules are small pouches in a dog’s larynx, or voice box. In brachycephalic dogs, their increased breathing effort can pull them into the airway, causing everted laryngeal saccules that restrict airflow even more.
3. Stenotic nares: Many flat-faced dog breeds have abnormally small or narrow nostrils, a condition known as stenotic nares. This restricts airflow through their nose, further exacerbating their breathing difficulties.

Two other abnormalities are commonly associated with BOAS, but not always:³

• Hypoplastic trachea — a smaller-than-normal windpipe.
• Laryngeal collapse — a damaged voice box from working too hard to breathe, increasing airway blockage.

Symptoms of BOAS

Clinical signs of BOAS may include:³

• Difficulty breathing
• Noisy breathing
• Snoring
• Struggling to exercise
• Coughing
• Gagging
• Vomiting
• Overheating (due to an inability to pant effectively)

Brachycephalic Dogs: Treatment Options

If your brachycephalic dog’s abnormalities are impacting their ability to breathe, surgery is usually the preferred treatment.¹ Many of the airway abnormalities associated with BOAS can be surgically corrected, and it’s important to obtain a diagnosis and treatment plan as soon as possible.¹

Non-surgical treatment options for short-term relief include corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and oxygen therapy. Obesity can also worsen BOAS symptoms, so vets may recommend weight loss if your pup is too heavy.¹

How much does BOAS surgery cost?

BOAS surgery usually costs $2,000 to $5,000. The exact cost will depend on your dog’s breed, your location, how complex the surgery is, and the type of surgeon.⁴

Pet insurance can help cover these costs. Here are some real-world examples from MetLife Pet Insurance:⁵

• Reginald, a one-year-old French bulldog from Virginia, needed surgery to address BOAS symptoms. It cost $3,000, and we reimbursed his parents for $2,700.
• Macaroni, a puppy from New York, was suffering from severe breathing issues related to BOAS. Surgery cost $2,800, and we reimbursed her parents for over $2,500.

Brachycephalic Dogs FAQs

Here are some common questions that come up about owning a brachycephalic dog.

What is the life expectancy of a brachycephalic dog?

According to the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HumaneVMA), dogs with extreme brachycephalic airway syndrome experience shorter lifespans: an average of 8.6 years compared with 12.7 years for non-brachycephalic breeds.⁶

Is it a problem to have a brachycephalic dog?

Brachycephalic dogs include some of the most popular breeds in the entire world.⁷ They make great pets, but pet parents do need to be aware of the common medical issues that can come up so they can take good care of their furry companions.

How is BOAS diagnosed in dogs?

It depends on which abnormality is causing your dog’s symptoms. Stenotic nares can usually be diagnosed with a visual inspection, while other abnormalities may need to be diagnosed under anesthesia. If anesthesia is required for diagnosis, your vet may recommend proceeding with surgery while they’re already under.¹

Consider Pet Insurance for Your Brachycephalic Dog

Brachycephalic dog breeds are capable of leading happy lives, but they’re more likely to experience health issues than your average pup. That’s why it’s so important to get a head start with dog insurance. Buying a policy early in their life can help you save money on vet bills down the line, especially if they begin to develop symptoms of brachycephalic airway syndrome.

Find out if pet insurance is worth it for you, and learn how much it could help you and your pup by fetching a free quote today!