title: Evaluation of arterial blood gases and arterial blood pressures in brachycephalic dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brachycephalic dogs (BD) are prone to congenital upper airway obstruction (brachycephalic syndrome, BS). In humans suffering from sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction is known to cause hypertension. There is no information regarding the influence of BS in dogs on cardiorespiratory physiology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  BD are prone to lower P(a) O(2), higher P(a) CO (2), and hypertension compared with meso- or dolicocephalic dogs (MDD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven BD and 11 MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a questionnaire was completed by the owner, a physical examination was performed. Height and thoracic circumferences were measured. Arterial blood gases, electrolyte concentrations, and packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure recordings were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 7 French and 4 English bulldogs met the inclusion criteria. The control group consisted in 6 Beagles, 2 mixed breed dogs, 1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 1 Parson Russell Terrier, and 1 Australian Cattle Dog. Statistically, BD had lower P(a) O(2), higher P(a) CO2, and higher PCV when compared with controls (86.2 ± 15.9 versus 100.2 ± 12.6 mmHg, P = .017; 36.3 ± 4.6 versus 32.7 ± 2.6 mmHg, P = .019; 48.2 ± 3.5 versus 44.2 ± 5.4%, P = .026, respectively). Also, they had significantly higher SAP (177.6 ± 25.0 versus 153.5 ± 21.7 mmHg, P = .013), MAP (123.3 ± 17.1 versus 108.3 ± 12.2 mmHg, P = .014), and DAP (95.3 ± 19.2 versus 83.0 ± 11.5 mmHg, P = .042). BD with a P(a) CO (2) >35 mmHg were significantly older than those with a P(a) CO (2) ≤35 mmHg (58 ± 16 and 30 ± 11 months, P = .004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study suggest that some BD are prone to lower P(a) O(2), higher P(a) CO (2), and hypertension when compared with MDD. Age may be a contributing factor.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. glhoareau@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hoareau
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jourdan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mellema
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verwaerde
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood*; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen