Painful price of cute puppy face
Vet warns of major health issues
OUR love of ‘designer dogs’ has gone too far, according to Irish vets who say we should reconsider buying flat-faced dog like pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs.
Concerned vet and chair of the Veterinary Ireland Companion Animal Society (Vicas), John O’Connor, has described the trend as alarming given the level of health issues faced by these animals.
The flat-faced breeds are a favourite of some Irish celebrities, including Ronan and Storm Keating and Jamie Heaslip.
Speaking at the opening of the 2018 Vicas conference in Naas, Co. Kildare, Mr O’Connor said: ‘Many pet owners who love dogs may not be aware of the serious life-restricting health issues these breeds are prone to. The reality is that the short skull shape, short muzzle and flat nose means that these dogs can suffer from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome,’ he said.
This syndrome makes breathing difficult.
One in five Kennel Club registered breeds is now an extreme brachycephalic breed, up from one in 50 just 10 years ago.
Flat-faced dogs suffer a litany of other health problems as a result of their overbreeding, including eye ulcers, skin infections, obesity, heart disease, vision issues and periodontal disease.