Animals 2019, 9(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9010003
Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists
Anne Fawcett 1,*
, Vanessa Barrs 1, Magdoline Awad 2, Georgina Child 1, Laurencie Brunel 1, Erin Mooney 1, Fernando Martinez-Taboada 1, Beth McDonald 1 and Paul McGreevy 1
, Vanessa Barrs 1, Magdoline Awad 2, Georgina Child 1, Laurencie Brunel 1, Erin Mooney 1, Fernando Martinez-Taboada 1, Beth McDonald 1 and Paul McGreevy 1
1
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
2
PetSure, 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 4 November 2018 / Revised: 11 December 2018 / Accepted: 17 December 2018 / Published: 21 December 2018
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
Simple Summary
Canine and human co-evolution have disclosed remarkable morphological plasticity in dogs. Brachycephalic dog breeds are increasing in popularity, despite them suffering from well-documented conformation-related health problems. This has implications for the veterinary caseloads of the future. Whether the recent selection of dogs with progressively shorter and wider skulls has reached physiological limits is controversial. The health problems and short life expectancies of dogs with extremely short skulls suggests that we may have even exceeded these limits. Veterinarians have a professional and moral obligation to prevent and minimise the negative health and welfare impacts of extreme morphology and inherited disorders, and they must address brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) not only at the level of the patient, but also as a systemic welfare problem.Abstract
This article, written by veterinarians whose caseloads include brachycephalic dogs, argues that there is now widespread evidence documenting a link between extreme brachycephalic phenotypes and chronic disease, which compromises canine welfare. This paper is divided into nine sections exploring the breadth of the impact of brachycephaly on the incidence of disease, as indicated by pet insurance claims data from an Australian pet insurance provider, the stabilization of respiratory distress associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), challenges associated with sedation and the anaesthesia of patients with BOAS; effects of brachycephaly on the brain and associated neurological conditions, dermatological conditions associated with brachycephalic breeds, and other conditions, including ophthalmic and orthopedic conditions, and behavioural consequences of brachycephaly. In the light of this information, we discuss the ethical challenges that are associated with brachycephalic breeds, and the role of the veterinarian. In summary, dogs with BOAS do not enjoy freedom from discomfort, nor freedom from pain, injury, and disease, and they do not enjoy the freedom to express normal behaviour. According to both deontological and utilitarian ethical frameworks, the breeding of dogs with BOAS cannot be justified, and further, cannot be recommended, and indeed, should be discouraged by veterinarians. View Full-TextKeywords:
brachycephalic; dogs; airways; welfare; health; veterinary ethics
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MDPI and ACS Style
Fawcett, A.; Barrs, V.; Awad, M.; Child, G.; Brunel, L.; Mooney, E.; Martinez-Taboada, F.; McDonald, B.; McGreevy, P. Consequences and Management of Canine Brachycephaly in Veterinary Practice: Perspectives from Australian Veterinarians and Veterinary Specialists. Animals 2019, 9, 3.
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