Does my dog need surgery for the palate?

Read on to understand what is often the issue for many short-nosed dogs. Some dogs can greatly benefit from surgery to ease their breathing.

What is a brachycephalic dog?

“Brachy” means short, and “cephal” means head. So, a “brachycephalic” dog has a short head.

This term covers breeds like the Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, and Pekingese.

The “brachycephalic” dog is also called a “flat-faced” or “short-nosed” dog. These dogs are characterized by a short nose and mouth, as breeding has “compressed” and narrowed their skulls.

This can lead to several complications, as there isn’t enough space in the skull for optimal breathing function.

These breeds are very popular in Denmark and abroad due to their friendly and charming temperament. They are often recognized by their snoring sounds, especially in warm weather, during exertion, or when excited.

Unfortunately, these sounds have come to be seen as normal and endearing for the breed. Many people don’t realize that behind the sounds are serious anatomical and physiological conditions that can lower the dog’s quality of life.

When is the dog distressed?

Short-nosed dogs often come to the clinic with one or more of the following symptoms:

– Reluctance to go for walks, easily winded
– Coughing
– Breathing difficulties
– Constant and/or loud snoring sounds
– Respiratory infections
– Frequent episodes of reverse sneezing
– Temporary fainting due to lack of oxygen
– Vomiting

Can surgery help?

Does your dog have one or more of these symptoms? Then surgery can significantly improve its quality of life!

A surgery may involve two parts: nostril surgery and soft palate surgery.

Surgery for narrowed nostrils

If a dog has very narrow nostrils, it cannot easily breathe through its nose and will often breathe through its mouth. Even a mild respiratory infection, which clogs the nostrils, can be highly uncomfortable as it makes breathing difficult.

The dog can undergo surgery to enlarge the nostrils, allowing air to flow in and out more easily.

In the picture, the left nostril has been operated on and enlarged, while the right nostril has not.

Soft palate surgery

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Preparation

The dog is anesthetized and placed on its back on the operating table so that surgery can be done in the mouth.

The dog is connected to various monitoring equipment for continuous oversight during anesthesia.

Step 2: Too long soft palate

Humans have a hard palate at the top of the mouth, which transitions into the soft palate, ending in the uvula.

Dogs do not have a uvula; their soft palate ends in a flap. In brachycephalic dogs, the soft palate (the flap) is often very long. This flap can fold over the dog’s trachea, briefly blocking its airway.

The dog then needs to make a few coughs or grunts to free the flap so it can breathe normally again.

Reverse sneezing syndrome

Many have noticed that their dog suddenly stops and begins to make sounds like coughing/sneezing – a phenomenon called “reverse sneezing syndrome.” This is when the soft palate gets stuck, and the dog tries to free it by making these sounds.

Surgery

The surgery involves removing the extra portion of the soft palate. This prevents it from collapsing over the trachea.

The soft palate is then stitched together with dissolvable threads, eliminating the sensation of having a “rag” in the throat.

Step 3: Post-Surgery

After the surgery, the dog will be monitored as it wakes up from anesthesia. A nurse will ensure that the dog doesn’t “choke” on its own tongue.

The dog can go home on the same day as the surgery, with pain relief medication.

It is crucial to keep the dog calm for at least 10 days post-surgery. It should not be overexerted or get too hot.

After 10 days, a follow-up visit at Artemis Animal Clinic is required, where the nasal stitches are removed. Anesthesia may be necessary for stitch removal.

It’s a good idea to perform the surgery in the fall or winter when temperatures are lower.