Veterinary Neurologists’ Approach to French Bulldogs with Spinal Cord Disease and Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Abstract:

Background: French bulldogs (FRBL) are common affected with spinal cord diseases (SCD) that require imaging and often surgical decompression/stabilization. FRBL are similarly often affected with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Clinical signs of BOAS may be worsened by stress/anxiety or pain which commonly affect dogs with SCD. Additionally, recovery from general anesthesia associated with imaging and surgery may precipitate an airway crisis. Hypothesis/

Objectives: The objective was to evaluate neurologist and neurology residents’ views on FRBL with BOAS. Methods –Neurology listserve members were invited to complete a survey. Participants consented to participate. The survey was exempt from review by the local IRB. Descriptive statistics were used. Results – 157/579 people responded to the survey for a response rate of 27.1%. The majority (123; 78%) were diplomates with the remainder residents (27;17%) and residency-training (7;5%). Ninety-six percent (151/157) have seen an increased number in FRBL in their caseload, with 85% having seen FRBL having airway crisis both pre and post imaging/surgery. For the FRBL with severe BOAS signs, 98 (62%) would recommend cooling and trying to avoid airway surgery, 33% (52) would recommend urgent airway surgery (staphylectomy) and 7 (4%) would perform a temporary palatopexy. Conclusions and Clinical Importance BOAS in FRBL is common and challenging. Consideration should be given to whether training neurologists to perform palliative airway surgery may be warranted.