In Argentine A bill was presented which aims to prohibit the reproduction, sale and import of Brachicefali animalsthat is, dogs and cats with short muzzle and wide head, such as French bulldog, English bulldog, pug, Beijing, Persian and the Exotic Shorthair cat.
The initiative stems from the concern for health conditions of these animalswhose anatomical conformation causes numerous medical problems and reduces their quality of life. Brachicephal animals are often chosen for their characteristic appearance, but their cranial structure involves Series breathing difficulties.
Too many health problems
One of the most common pathologies is the Brachicefalica syndromewhich derives from narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate and a smaller trachea than normal. This carries with a frantic breath, snoring, intolerance to physical activity and, in the most serious cases, respiratory collapse. Many of these animals need surgical interventions to improve their ability to breathe.
In addition to respiratory problems, these breeds often suffer from gastrointestinal disorders due to the pressure that forced breathing exerts on the internal organs, causing gastric reflux, hernias and digestive difficulties. Dental health is also compromised, since the conformation of the reduced skull causes a dental crowding that promotes infections and difficulties in chewing.
Another critical aspect concerns theirs Difficulty regulating body temperature. Due to their conformation, these animals are unable to dissipate heat effectively and are therefore very vulnerable to heat strokes, especially in hot environments or after physical activity. In addition, cats and brachycephalic dogs are predisposed to skin infections due to the folds of the skin, eye problems linked to their protruding eyes and pathologies of the spine.
Similar measures have already been adopted in other countries
The bill, promoted by the legal animal protection network with the support of veterinarians, animal rights and animal behavior experts, is inspired by measures already adopted in countries such as France, Norway, Netherlands and United Kingdom. The goal is reduce suffering of these animals and raise public awareness of responsible genetic selection.
However, the proposal aroused debate. Some experts argue that, instead of banning playback, it would be more appropriate to encourage Breeding criteria most attentive to animal health. The bill must now be discussed in parliamentbut has already turned on an important reflection on ethical responsibility in the selection of domestic breeds.
