Brachycephalic Dogs with Digestive Disease

Understanding Brachycephalic Airway Obstructive Syndrome (BAOS)

• BAOS has dramatically increased over the past 20 years

• Primarily affects French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs

• Characterized by unique anatomical features:

  • Wide and short skull

  • Soft tissue abnormalities

  • Respiratory and digestive complications

Digestive Signs in Brachycephalic Dogs

• Common digestive signs include:

  • Regurgitation

  • Vomiting

  • Ptyalism (excessive salivation)

  • Retching

  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

  • Eructation

  • Changes in appetite

  • Excessive swallowing

  • Aerophagia

  • Pica

  • Pain-relieving positioning

• Severity often correlates with respiratory signs

BAOS and Digestion

• Progressive disease

• Common diseases affecting the digestive system in brachycephalic dogs are:

  • Redundant esophagus

  • Esophagitis

  • Gastroesophageal reflux

  • Sliding HH (hiatal hernia)

  • Delayed gastric emptying

  • Gastritis

  • Pyloric mucosal fold hypertrophy

  • Pyloric stenosis

  • Duodenitis

Nutritional Management

Brachycephalic dogs with digestive issues benefit from the following modifications:

• Altering food type

• Altering nutrients within the food

• Altering the food consistency

• Changing the meal pattern

Water: Critical Nutritional Factor

• Hydration is crucial for brachycephalic dogs

• Potential for life-threatening dehydration

• Monitoring hydration status is essential

Protein Considerations

• Avoid excess protein due to higher risk of bacterial fermentation

  • Bloating, flatulence, regurgitation

• Key protein requirements:

  • High digestibility (≥87%)

  • Limited novel ingredient sources

• Benefits of protein management:

  • Reduced gastrin secretion

  • Decreased gastric acid production

  • Reduced fermentation products

Fat Management

• Goal: lower fat

  • Higher fat content slows stomach emptying = increased chance of reflux/regurgitation

• Recommendations:

  • Lower fat foods

  • Reduced fat content

Fiber Considerations

• Avoid gel-forming soluble fibers

• Fibers to limit:

  • Pectins

  • Gums (arabic, guar, carrageenan)

• Reasons for fiber restriction:

  • Increased ingesta viscosity

  • Slowed gastric emptying

Brachycephalic Feeding Bowls

• The temperature and consistency regulations suggested for generalized GI disorders will also apply to these cases

• In addition:

  • Special 45° angled bowls recommended!

  • Benefits:

    • Improved eating posture

    • Reduced cervical strain

    • Slower eating

    • Decreased air swallowing

    • Decreased obesity

    • Reduced bloating

    • Better GI motility

Meal Frequency and Size

• General guidelines:

  • Smaller, more liquid meals = empty faster = requires more frequent feeding