Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs often have lifelong breathing problems because their pushed-in nasal cavities are too compromised for proper respiration. Now a new study says that a short snout predisposes a dog to sleep apnea, a condition of many interruptions in sleep throughout the night that are so brief they go unnoticed but can result in extreme daytime fatigue. People with sleep apnea are not only more tired than others, they are more disposed to a variety of illnesses that include high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The same may be true for dogs.
If you adopt a brachycephalic dog such as a pug or French bulldog, it’s important to have his respiratory function checked by a veterinarian. If there’s a problem because the dog’s anatomy is simply too pushed-in, there are operations that can open up the airway and allow your pet to breathe more peacefully.
