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The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital

 

A call to referring vets and owners of Pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs! Help us help dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and brain dysfunction. 

BOAS affects a high percentage (40-65%) of Pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs. These dogs suffer from an overall decrease in body oxygenation, but do they also have decreased brain oxygenation?

These breeds commonly present to the neurology referral services due to brain signs and, in people, reduced brain oxygenation can lead to the development or deterioration of brain disease such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and brain tumours. Dogs with BOAS have been shown to have more signs of brain dysfunction.

We want to show if decreased brain oxygenation is present in BOAS dogs and if so, what is its potential relationship with brain disease. Our aim is to understand if addressing BOAS could lead to also treating and preventing brain disease in these dogs. This study could have a positive impact not only on the individual dog but on these breeds as a whole.

Who can be included?

Pugs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs with brain signs such as seizures, ‘funny turns’ or dementia.  The dogs need to be BOAS graded (if not already, BOAS grading can be done during the assessment). If there are any doubts if the dog can be included in the study, please contact bbbneuro@vet.cam.ac.uk.

What exactly will happen?

Dogs included will have a neurological assessment, and non-invasive quick tests to evaluate brain oxygenation. If the corrective BOAS surgery is recommended, a few minimally invasive tests could also be performed – for more details, please contact us on bbbneuro@vet.cam.ac.uk. There is no cost associated with any of these tests. 

Thank you for helping us improve canine healthcare!

Read more on the team's flyer here 

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