Brachycephalic dogs are defined by their shortened muzzle, resulting in the familiar flat-faced appearance of many popular breeds, including the English bulldog, Pug, and Boston Terrier. While most dogs of these breeds have a perfectly normal life, the nasal shortening seen in some can result in significant obstruction of air flow through the nose and may also result in other upper airway abnormalities that can impede the ability of the dog to pass air into the lungs. This condition is termed Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS).

The overall goal of the BAS study is to improve the upper airway dynamics in brachycephalic dogs. Michigan State University is conducting a clinical research study into dogs with BAS, led by a team of researchers with a specific interest in airway imaging and surgery. The study is funded by Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Endowed Research Funds. It has approval by the Michigan State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The safety and wellbeing of our study participants are the most important considerations and will always prevail.