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Correlation of skull conformation and the breathing ability of the dog

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Universität Zürich > Vetsuisse-Fakultät > Nutztiere, Departement für > Fortpflanzungsmedizin, Klinik für > PD Dr. Susi Arnold
Arnold Koch
Completed Research Project

Title / TitelPDF
Correlation of skull conformation and the breathing ability of the dog
Summary / Zusammenfassung
Exaggerated phenotypic characteristics in dogs have been heavily criticized by animal protectionists, because they interfere with the quality of life and the dogs are predisposed to secondary diseases. The most severe phenotypic exaggeration is brachycephaly (short skull), because it is often accompanied by respiratory problems (brachycephalic syndrome) and may even lead to death from suffocation. Clinical findings in affected dogs include stenotic nares, enlarged tonsils, elongated soft palate, everted lateral saccules of the larynx, narrowed rima glottis and collapse of the larynx. It is generally assumed that these findings reflect the result and not the cause of the brachycephalic syndrome. Based on the fact that mainly brachycephalic breeds are affected, it is assumed that the short nose accounts for an increased resistance during inspiration. Therefore, during inspiration an increased negative pressure occurs in, and distally to, the nasopharynx when compared to those of mesocephalic and dolichocephalic breeds. With this negative pressure the soft tissues are drawn into the lumen and undergo mechanical strain. Over time they become hyperplastic and enlarged which enhances the clinical signs and leads to a further progression of the disease. This pathophysiological explanation seems plausible as, in the case of classical brachycephalic syndrome, all soft tissues are indeed displaced into the lumen of the upper respiratory tract. However, it is still speculation that the increased nasal resistance is the primary cause of the problem. The goal of our studies include:
1. Demonstration of the reproducibility of rhinomanometry in dogs
2. Normal values of nasal resistance in healthy dogs with different skull conformations
3. Proof of the hypothesis that the nasal resistance is the primary problem in dogs with brachycephalic syndrome
4. Establishing the limits for the nasal resistance as a criterion for the breeding selection.
Publications / Publikationen
Koch, D.A., Arnold, S., Hubler, M. and Montavon, P.M. (2003)
Brachycephalic syndrome in dogs. Comp Cont Educ 25, 48-55.
Balli, A. (2004): Rhinomanometrische Parameter bei gesunden Hunden in Abhängigkeit vom radiologisch erfassten Brachycephaliegrad. Inaugural-Dissertation, Vetsuisse-Fakultät Universität Zürich.

Nad N. (2004): Nasaler Widerstand beim Hund. Reproduzierbarkeit der Rhinomanometrie. Inaugural-Dissertation, Vetsuisse-Fakultät Universität Zürich.

Koch, D.A., Wiestner, T., Nad, N., Balli, A., Roos, M.,Weilenmann, R., Michel, E., Arnold, S. (200?)
Reproducibility of rhinomanometry as a method to evaluate transnasal resistance and pressure in healthy dogs.
Am J Vet Res, submitted.

Koch, D.A., Wiestner, T., Balli, Hubler, M.., Montavon, P.M., Michel, E., Arnold, S. (200?)
Radiological method for the classification of different types of skull and assessment of the degree of brachycephaly in the dog.
Am J Vet Res, submitted.

Project Leadership and Contacts /
Projektleitung und Kontakte
Prof. Susi Arnold (Project Leader) [email protected]
Dr. med. vet. Daniel Koch (Project Leader) [email protected]
Funding Source(s) /
Unterstützt durch
Others
Bundesamt für Veterinärwesen
Stiftung für das Wohl des Hundes
Duration of Project / Projektdauer
Jan 2001 to Dec 2006
© Universität Zürich, 2. April 2007, Impressum

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