Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

What is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?
This medical term describes a group of upper airway problems affecting short-nosed, flat-faced cats. Partial upper airway obstruction can be due to head shape, narrowed nasal passages, abnormally small windpipes (tracheas) and/or a long soft palate. This syndrome takes its name from “brachy” (shortened) and “cephalic” (head) because it tends to affect cats with pushed-in faces. The nose, pharynx, larynx, and trachea may all be affected to some degree leading to labored breathing and/or harsh, grating breathing.

How does my cat get Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?
This condition is specifically linked to the characteristics commonly bred for in the breeds affected.  In addition, obesity, anxiety, allergies, humid temperatures can cause rapid breathing that further worsen this condition.

How do I know if my cat has Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?
Cats with flat faces may show the clinical signs: noisy breathing, snorting, coughing, open mouth breathing or panting, snoring, exercise intolerance and collapse. Cats with this condition can also have difficulty swallowing and have a low tolerance to exposure to hot, humid temperatures. Your veterinarian will take into account the breed, the history, the physical exam findings and perform radiographs to assess the airways for narrowing or overlong soft palate. Sedation may be needed to assess the larynx and pharynx for an overlong soft palate and laryngeal changes.

What can I do about Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?
Treatment is directed to avoid obesity, control activity, and symptomatically treat the signs and symptoms. This is a lifetime disease so as much as possible should be done to minimize worsening the physical aspects that already exist: limit your cat’s exposure to stressful situations and hot temperatures, don’t allow your cat to over exercise and maintain proper portion control of a healthy diet. There are surgical options available to shorten the palate, remove the laryngeal saccules, and open small nares.

Is there anything I can do to prevent my cat from getting Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome?
Very careful breed selection to minimize the most common problematic physical features is important. If you have a high-risk breed, then it is imperative to minimize the risk of precipitating an episode. That is why it is vital to keep your cat at a lean, healthy weight because obesity can build up fat in the body, narrow the airway and make breathing even more labored.

Are there certain breeds that get Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome more often?
Persians and Himalayans are most susceptible to inheriting this condition.