Canine Brachycephaly: Anatomy, Pathology, Genetics and Welfare

Brachycephalic dog breeds have experienced a marked rise in popularity in recent years. While numerous people clearly desire this phenotype in their pets, many of these dogs, unfortunately, experience several concomitant sequelae, including major problems with respiration and thermoregulation, as well as gastrointestinal, ophthalmological, dermatological, reproductive, and even dental problems. This mini-review focuses on the anatomical and pathological changes associated with brachycephalic skull shape, including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and other co-existent disorders. It then details the known genetic contributors to brachycephaly and concludes with a brief discourse on the welfare of these animals.

Ekenstedt, K. J., Crosse, K. R., & Risselada, M. (2020, April). Canine Brachycephaly: Anatomy, Pathology, genetics and welfare. Journal of comparative pathology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7380493/.

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Topic(s): Breeder Resource, Genetics, How Genetics Impacts Welfare

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