Intranasal deformities in dogs : comparative histopathology, diagnostic and functional imaging

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS) is a debilitating condition affecting some of the most populous dogs in the USA. Caused by the developmental foreshortening of the skull, BAS constitutes a major welfare concern as dogs lead an overall poor quality of life. The intranasal component to BAS is poorly understood. It is not clear how intranasal anatomical deformities contribute to the pathophysiology underlying BAS. In this study, we have applied high resolution 3-D imaging (computed tomography) to simulate function (flow pattern) using computational fluid dynamics. Additionally, as part of steps to characterize age-dependent histopathological intranasal changes in brachycephalic dogs, we described the histopathological changes in puppies of French Bulldogs.This thesis methodically introduces and reviews current literature on BAS while outlining the specific aims, hypotheses and rationale for the study (Chapter 1). Subsequently, the materials and methods used are explained (Chapter 2) and the results are summarized (Chapter 3). The implications of the results, limitations of the study and future directions are discussed (Chapter 4).