the pug who couldn't run

Abby is a happy young pug who was unable to run.

Abby is a happy young pug who was unable to run.

www.WesternSuburbsVetClinic.com.au

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This was because her airway was too small for her to be able to breathe well enough to go faster than walking pace.


She snored very loudly and would often choke and wake up.


Narrow nostrils before surgery


Her condition is called brachycephalic airway syndrome, and it affects all short nosed dogs to varying degrees.


The procedure


To help her airway problems, we made her nostrils bigger, removed 1.5 cm of redundant tissue from the back of her soft palate, and removed her laryngeal saccules.


One nostril done


The laryngeal saccules are little sacs located in the wall of the larynx. When there are excessive negative airway pressures, they can pop into the airway like little bubbles and restrict air flow.


Both nostrils done


The soft palate is sucked into the airway when these dogs breathe in, causing them to choke.


Resected soft palate and 2 little laryngeal saccules


The saccules look tiny, but before removal, they are like inflated bubbles, which further block the airway.


2 days after surgery


Abby is already much quieter. The day after surgery, her owner tripped over her in the dark because she was sleeping silently and not snoring.


Dogs with these short noses often get into difficulties breathing. Many owners are unaware that the dog could be much more comfortable and able to have a happier, more active, life after surgery.


Each case is different, so it is important to examine the airway of these dogs under anaesthetic and plan which procedures need to be done, in order to get the best outcome for each patient.


2 weeks after surgery Abiby can go for long walks ( without being carried)


She is happy and wants to walk and run more.


the pug who couldn't run

Lifestyle