Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Liver stiffness linked to airway syndrome in brachycephalic dogs
By Facin, Andréia Coutinho et al.·Published in Scientific reports·2020·Department of Clinic and Veterinary Surgery, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Liver and spleen elastography of dogs affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and its correlation with clinical biomarkers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of brachycephalic dogs, which have short noses like Bulldogs and Pugs, showed signs of liver and spleen stiffness due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a condition that affects their breathing. Tests revealed that these dogs had higher liver stiffness compared to healthy dogs, indicating potential liver issues. The study suggests that brachycephalic dogs may be at greater risk for liver problems and inflammation, similar to humans with sleep apnea. If your dog is brachycephalic and has breathing difficulties, it might be worth discussing liver health with your vet.
People also search for: brachycephalic dog breathing problems · liver disease in Bulldogs · Pug health issues · BOAS treatment for dogs
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is correlated to alterations in liver and spleen elasticity. Forty-eight brachycephalic and 22 mesocephalic dogs were submitted to a BOAS functional assessment, laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound and liver and spleen Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastography. Dogs clinically affected by BOAS had higher values of liver stiffness (p < 0.001) than healthy dogs: medial lobes (1.57 ± 0.37 m/s), left and right lateral lobes (1.54 ± 0.50 m/s, 1.23 ± 0.28 m/s, respectively) and caudate lobe (1.28 ± 0.42 m/s). Compared to the mesocephalic group, the brachycephalic group (BOAS clinically affected and unaffected dogs) had higher spleen (2.51 ± 0.45 m/s; p < 0.001) and liver stiffness (p < 0.001): medial lobes (1.53 ± 0.37 m/s), left and right lateral lobes (1.47 ± 0.47 m/s, 1.20 ± 0.30 m/s, respectively) and caudate lobe (1.23 ± 0.40 m/s). Principal component analysis explained 70% of the variances composed by liver stiffness increase, erythrocytes and alanine aminotransferase reduction. Brachycephalic dogs had higher spleen and liver stiffness and a subacute inflammatory state, which represent another BOAS systemic effect. Consequently, these dogs can be at higher risk of hepatic disorders compared with mesocephalic dogs, similarly to humans affected by sleep apnea syndrome.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32999366/