Health and Testing
Hyperuricosuria:
HUU means elevated levels of uric acid in the urine. This trait predisposes dogs to form stones in their bladders or sometimes kidneys. These stones often must be removed surgically and can be difficult to treat. Hyperuricosuria is inherited as a simple autosomal recessive trait. The trait can occur in any breed but is most commonly found in the Dalmatian, Bulldog and Black Russian Terrier. Dalmatians are considered to be homozygous for hyperuricosuria. A mutation in exon 5 of the gene Solute carrier family 2, member 9 (SLC2A9) has been found to be associated with hyperuricosuria in dogs. A DNA test for this specific mutation can determine if dogs are normal or if they carry one or two copies of the mutation. Dogs that carry two copies of the mutation will be affected and susceptible to develop bladder/kidney stones.
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Cystinuria English Bulldog and French Bulldog Type
Is an inherited disorder affecting the urinary tract of a dog. It is characterized by formation and accumulation of cystine stones in kidney, bladder or ureter. So far, cystinuria has been recognized in humans, dogs, cats and wolves. Canine cystinuria affects over 60 dog breeds.
Generally, canine cystinuria can be divided into three groups, type I (autosomal recessive), type II (autosomal dominant), and type III (also known as non-type I). Unlike type I and II, type III cystinuria shows a complex inheritance pattern and is usually found in male dogs.
Characteristics and Symptoms
In properly functioning kidneys, blood is filtered in order to create urine, and cystine is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream within the tubules. Dog affected with cystinuria cannot reabsorb cystine, which causes cystine’s accumulation abd crystallization in the urine. Some crystals may bind with calcium molecules, grow and accumulate in the kidneys or in the bladder, creating blockages in the urinary tract. These stones may also be a source of bacterial infection. These conditions can lead to stranguria, hematuria, urinary obstruction and renal failure. Cystinuria can be without any effect on life-length of the dog, unless in cases of complications, such as obstruction, recurrent infections or surgical complications.
Development of cystinuria Bulldog Type III is also influenced by hormones, particularly by testosterone. Due to this reason, affected bulldogs affected should be neutered in order to prevent development of cystinuria symptoms. Certain medications may also be used in order to dissolve the cystine stones.
Genetics
Three mutations in SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes have been associated with the development of cystinuria in English and French bulldogs. Dog is considered a carrier when is a heterozygous for one or more out of three mutations.
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X Rays:
Spinal
Trachea
Hips
Patella
Elbows
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Canine Color Test Type
Ay (Fawn/Sable Allele)
Aw (Wild Sable Allele)
At (Black-and-Tan/Tricolor Allele)
a (Recessive Solid Black Allele)
A Locus Panel
B Locus (Brown, Chocolate)
D Locus (Dilute-Blue, Lilac, Champagne)
E Locus (Recessive Yellow Allele)
Em Locus (Melanistic Mask Allele)
H Locus (Harlequin Pattern)
K Locus
M Locus (Merle)
S Locus Parti (Piebald, or Random White Spotting)
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Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
What does brachycephalic mean?
The term brachycephalic comes from the Greek meaning ‘short’ and cephalic meaning ‘head’ i.e. brachycephalic animals are those with short heads.
What is BOAS?
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is the term given to the effects that the shortened head of these animals has on the passage of air through the upper airways. The signs can vary in severity from mild snoring or snorting noises to severe breathing problems.
Animals suffering from clinically significant BOAS can struggle to breathe during exercise and may suffer collapse due to lack of air. The reliance of dogs on panting to cool themselves also makes animals suffering from BOAS very susceptible to overheating and developing potentially very serious breathing difficulties in hot conditions.
What breeds are affected?
Brachycephalic breeds include those breeds of dog and cat that have an obvious, characteristic short or squashed nose appearance. Any breed of dog or cat with a brachycephalic head conformation can be affected, e.g.:
Dogs:
Bulldog
French Bulldog
Dogue de Bordeaux
Boxer
Pug
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Shih Tsu
Pekingese
Other brachycephalic breeds
Cats:
Persian
Himalayan
There are four main areas of concern in these animals:
Narrow nares (nostrils)
Overlong palate
Secondary effects such as collapse of the larynx (voice box)
Tracheal hypoplasia (the trachea or windpipe is too small for the size of animal – almost exclusively encountered in the British Bulldog breed)
Whilst dogs are commonly presented to vets with problems resulting from BOAS, cats are rarely presented for treatment. This may partly be a reflection of the more sedentary lifestyle of some cats compared to dogs; most cats that are presented only require treatment for narrowed nares (nostrils).
Narrowed nares (nostrils) can dramatically increase the resistance to air flow into the nose of brachycephalic breeds. This, combined with the tendency for the cartilage supports of the nares to collapse during inspiration, requires a much larger effort than normal in order to breathe.
An overlong soft palate can partially obstruct air flow into the trachea (windpipe) and also cause turbulent airflow in the area of the larynx (voicebox). Both of these effects further increase the effort required for an affected animal to breathe in, and can cause significant inflammation of the upper airway.
Unfortunately, the extra effort required to breathe in (inspiration) eventually results in secondary problems, since the airway is not adapted to cope with the turbulence and increased negative pressures which develop.
These secondary effects include:
Gradual collapse of the larynx (voice-box) termed laryngeal collapse. Veterinary surgeons grade the severity of collapse from 1 to 3, with 3 being the most severe. Unfortunately, the collapse is likely to be progressive, although the rate of progression may be able to be slowed with appropriate treatment.
Tonsillar eversion and hypertrophy. The tonsils usually lie in shallow recesses towards the back of the mouth. The increased negative pressures can cause them to enlarge and protrude into the back of the mouth, further narrowing the airway.
Pharyngeal muscle hypertrophy. The pharynx is the term used to describe the area of the back of the mouth and entrance to the larynx. These muscles can become enlarged (hypertrophied) due to the altered pressures in the upper airway.
Acid reflux from the stomach into the oesophagus (food pipe). This can result in inflammation of the oesophagus and sometimes in ulceration of the stomach. Severe cases may suffer from a hiatal hernia, when part of the stomach can become displaced into the chest cavity during breathing.
Heart failure – this is less common than the other secondary effects of BOAS.
How is BOAS diagnosed?
When carrying out a physical examination, your vet will assess your dog or cat’s anatomy (some heads are shorter than others) and your pet’s behaviour in certain circumstances.
Most brachycephalic animals will experience a degree of upper airway obstruction, usually evident as snorting or snoring noises. The key is for you and your vet to decide between you whether your pet is experiencing a significant level of signs or showing an anatomical conformation that may predispose him/her to problems. The discussion will involve how your pet copes with exercise or warm conditions and also any likely susceptibility to secondary deterioration within the airway.
Unfortunately, only the nares (nostrils) can be properly assessed without the requirement for a general anaesthetic. Initially therefore, the diagnosis is based on the veterinary surgeon’s overall assessment but will require further investigation to confirm the diagnosis.
How is BOAS investigated by the veterinary surgeon?
There are a number of tests that may be required, depending on the findings of the initial physical examination. These can include blood tests, cardiac (heart) assessment and chest X-rays. However, full airway assessment will require an anaesthetic.
General anaesthesia in brachycephalic dogs can be associated with increased risk, particularly during the induction and recovery phases.
What treatment options are available?
Stenotic Nares (narrowed nostrils)
Removal of a section of the cartilage of the front of the nose or a section of skin next to the nose can improve the airflow through the nares.
Overlong Soft Palate
The excess length of the soft palate can be reduced by surgery in order to reduce the interference with air flow into the larynx (voice box).
Laryngeal Collapse
Early laryngeal collapse can sometimes be improved by removal of some of the tissue that is slowing airflow. The surgeon will assess the larynx (voice box) and decide whether additional surgery in this area is appropriate or likely to be beneficial. Sometimes, this additional procedure may need to be carried out at a later date.
Severe (Grade 3) collapse is unlikely to benefit greatly from a minor procedure and may require a permanent tracheostomy (breathing hole in the neck), or can sometimes be temporarily improved with a tieback procedure (see laryngeal paralysis information sheet).
Everted tonsils
Some cases may benefit from tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils). The decision on whether this is appropriate is made at the time of assessment and surgery.
Acid reflux
Treatment for gastric reflux usually involves regular medication, rather like one might take for heartburn.
Hiatal Hernia
In general, conservative management is initially employed in cases suffering from displacement of a section of the stomach into the chest, although some cases do require surgical treatment.
Weight management
The lifestyle of many of these patients can predispose them to obesity. Weight loss can dramatically improve the airflow through the pharynx and neck and MUST form part of the treatment protocol in overweight patients.
Hypoplastic trachea (small windpipe) cannot be treated and these dogs are often severely affected by the impairment to airflow associated with this condition.