Respiratory diseases
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a respiratory disease affecting flat-faced dog breeds. The skull bones of these dogs are compressed, but the soft tissues of the head grow normally, causing incongruity and a combination of problems, such as narrow nostrils (stenotic nares), elongated long palate, narrow windpipe (trachea), and more, which lead to obstruction of airflow and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms include snoring, wheezing, exercise intolerance, gagging, labored breathing, open mouth breathing, cyanosis (bluish color of the gums), and collapse.
Breeds
Commonly affected breeds include the English bulldog, pug, French bulldog, Boston terrier, boxer, Pekingese, shih tzu, Chinese shar-pei, Lhasa apso, and bull mastiff.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in the early detection of diseases and assessing their severity:
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased pulse rate
- Decreased HRV
- Decreased sleep score
- Decreased activity score
- Decreased calories burnt
- Changes in posture routine (less laying on sides, more laying on stomach, sitting and standing)
The windpipe or trachea, is a tube that carries air through the neck and into the lungs. It is made of C-shaped cartilage rings with a soft, thin membrane across the top to complete the circle. Sometimes, the cartilage rings become weak, and the membrane flattens, obstructing the tube, and making it harder to move air and breathe normally. This condition is referred to as collapsing trachea.
Depending on the severity of the collapsed tissue, affected dogs may show labored breathing, make a dry, goose-like honking cough sound, exercise intolerance, and fainting. Respiratory distress is a medical emergency.
Breeds
Breeds at higher risk of developing collapsing trachea include Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu, and Toy Poodles.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in the early detection of diseases and assessing their severity:
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased pulse rate
- Decreased HRV
- Decreased sleep score
- Decreased activity score
- Decreased calories burnt
- Changes in posture routine (less laying on sides, more laying on stomach, sitting and standing)
Laryngeal paralysis (known as Lar-Par) is a disease in which the muscles responsible for opening or closing the larynx (voice box) become weak and fail to function normally.
Symptoms of Lar-Par typically start mildly but tend to get worse over time. Panting and loud breathing are often the first symptoms. Gradually, the pet parent might also notice exercise intolerance, especially during hot and humid days, voice change, anxiety, coughing, gagging when eating or drinking, labored breathing, blue gums, and collapse.
Breeds
Laryngeal paralysis is more common in older breed dogs, such as Labrador and Golden Retrievers, St. Bernards, Irish Setters, and Newfoundlands.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system may help in the early detection of diseases and assessing their severity:
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased pulse rate
- Decreased HRV
- Decreased sleep score
- Decreased activity score
- Decreased calories burnt
- Changes in posture routine (less laying on sides, more laying on stomach, sitting and standing)
Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), also known as “kennel cough,” is a syndrome caused, sometimes concurrently, by several different bacterial and viral pathogens. The disease is highly contagious among dogs, especially when dogs are housed together (e.g., in animal shelters, boarding, or day-care facilities) or spend time in close proximity (e.g., dog parks, communal water bowls, etc.).
The symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, reduced appetite, and lethargy, and are typically mild and self-limiting, resolving after about one week. Some cases progress to develop pneumonia, which may include fever, labored breathing, and general malaise, and require medical treatment.
Preventive measures include routine vaccinations and limited exposure to other dogs.
Breeds
There is no breed predisposition to develop kennel cough. All breeds and ages are susceptible.
How can PetPace help?
The PetPace system can help in monitoring the health status of dogs with CIRDC:
- Fever
- Decreased Wellness score
- Changes (abnormal values) in the Health Profile
- Increased pulse
- Increased respiratory rate
- Decreased HRV
- Decreased activity score
- Decreased Sleep Quality score
