Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Metabolic and inflammation changes in brachycephalic dogs with airway
By Gianella, Paola et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2019·Department of Veterinary Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of metabolic profile and C-reactive protein concentrations in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 brachycephalic dogs, like Bulldogs and Pugs, were studied for breathing problems caused by upper airway obstruction. Many of these dogs showed signs of gastrointestinal issues, and most had some degree of laryngeal collapse, which can worsen breathing difficulties. Blood tests revealed increased levels of inflammation and certain metabolic markers, but no clear link was found between the symptoms and the metabolic changes. Overall, while these dogs had some inflammation and mild metabolic issues, the tests didn't provide useful information for their treatment.
People also search for: brachycephalic dog breathing problems · laryngeal collapse in Bulldogs · dog gastrointestinal issues treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Brachycephalic dogs have abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance. Despite the fact that anatomic and functional alterations are well described in brachycephalic dogs, little is known about the consequences of upper airway obstruction on systemic inflammatory response and metabolic profile. OBJECTIVES: To describe history, clinical presentation, and anatomic abnormalities; to evaluate systemic inflammatory response and metabolic profile; and to identify possible associations among clinical signs, anatomic abnormalities, inflammatory response, and metabolic profile in brachycephalic dogs with airway obstruction. ANIMALS: Thirty purebred brachycephalic dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). METHODS: Prospective study. The following information was recorded and studied: respiratory and digestive signs, airway and digestive endoscopic anomalies, presence or absence of tracheal hypoplasia, histologic evaluation of gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens, serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), fructosamine, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and plasma concentrations of lipoprotein classes. RESULTS: A high proportion of dogs (76.7%) had gastrointestinal signs. Esophageal deviation, atony of the cardia of the stomach, and distal esophagitis were the most common endoscopic anomalies detected. Twenty-six (86.6%) dogs had different degrees of laryngeal collapse. Gastrointestinal histologic evaluation identified mostly chronic inflammation. Glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, cholesterol, CRP, pre-beta, beta lipoproteins, and chylomicrons were increased to a variable extent. Significant associations among clinical signs, anatomic abnormalities, CRP, and metabolic profile were not found. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Despite the presence of inflammation and some mild metabolic derangements, the clinicopathological variables evaluated did not offer valuable information in dogs with BAOS.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31454107/