Meet “Daisy Mae”!

She's a very young pug diagnosed with Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) that occurs in all breeds with significant brachycephaly. Brachycephaly is abnormally short head shape (compared with the ancestral, natural, head shape of dogs) with, in some cases, greatly shortened upper jaws and noses. BAOS refers to the suite of respiratory problems associated with brachycephaly. Although the facial bones are shortened, the soft tissues inside remain unchanged in size and are thus squeezed into a substantially smaller space. This leads to narrowing, and increased resistance to airflow, in the nose and upper airways. BAOS describes the clinical signs due to these effects. The main congenital (present from birth) abnormalities are stenotic nares (abnormally narrow nostrils) and elongated and thick soft palate. (Tracheal hypoplasia (abnormally narrow windpipe) is rare in the pug). The permanent narrowing and obstruction of the airways makes breathing much harder. Daisy has an opening on half a straw's width In time, the effects of the increased respiratory effort leads to secondary changes which further narrow the air passages, and may contribute to the collapse of the larynx (the voice box at the entrance of the windpipe). BAOS leads to snoring, respiratory noise, mouth breathing, and respiratory distress with rapid breathing and struggling for breath, and can lead to collapse and death. Dogs with BAOS are unable to take even moderate amounts of exercise, are very prone to heat stroke and have disrupted sleep. Daisy had both the soft palate trim and nares opened up with really or no improvement she barely made it through the surgery and her doctor said any other surgeries would be very touch and go and would only suggest only emergency surgeries be conducted. This is a major welfare problem and Daisy is at risk of bouts of severe respiratory distress and fear, and these crises can be life-threatening e.g. they are especially at risk when exercising in hot weather. Even mildly affected dogs are likely to suffer disrupted sleep and are prevented from carrying out normal behaviours such as running and exercising because of breathing difficulties. It seems unacceptable that this condition, even in its mildest form, could be considered normal.

Daisy hospice/foster home will make sure to keep her calm and comfortable with daily meds to help with her condition. With that said Daisy would love some sponsors to help with her monthly medical expenses. Please click on the donation link to help. Pug Kisses from Princess Daisy.