06/26/2024
It was 99F today. Please be aware. Definitely keep these babies inside and cool.
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Brachycephalic describes any dog whose muzzle looks like it has been flattened or squashed inwards. Their bottom jaw is disproportionately longer than their upper jaw, and the dog may look as though their lower jaw sticks out.
Soft palates in brachycephalic dogs’ mouths block a majority of the air coming in to the trachea, which means your short-snouted dog needs to work even harder just to get a sufficient amount of oxygen in their system.
Imagine trying to breathe while someone is pinching your nose and you have a swollen throat. That’s what it can be like for brachycephalic dogs in the summer.
If you have a brachycephalic dog, be sure to do the following:
* Keep lots of fresh water available to lie in, as well as drink.
* Take it slow - take shorter, slower walks during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or later in the evening after some of the heat of the day has gone.
* Use a harness - don’t add to their obstacles with an airway restricting collar.
* Invest in a cooler pad for your dog to lay on indoors is an excellent way to help your dog maintain a comfortable and healthy body temperature in the heat.
* Watch their weight - excessive weight can lead to breathing and other health problems in any dog, but it greatly exacerbates a brachycephalic dog’s inability to keep cool and properly breathe.
* Avoid unneccesary trips in the car and never leave them unattended in there!
