Director of Research
University of Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
I have 20 years’ experience as a Specialist in Small Animal Surgery and I have focused on upper airway disease in dogs. In 2005 I started researching brachycephalic obstructive airway disease and in the last 15 years my group has assessed over 2000 dogs over the extreme breeds (pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs) that have airway compromise. With Dr Nai-Chieh Lui, we have devised a non-invasive method of assessing airway function in these breeds and also introduced a clinical grading system for BOAS. The research has also led to the validation of some new surgical techniques (laser turbinectomy, laryngeal surgeries) that were shared by Prof Oechtering of Leipzig. During this time we have developed good relationships with breeders and worked with the breed clubs to introduce health schemes in these three breeds that include BOAS. I have successfully supervised students (PhD, MPhil and residents) on this project. The work led to the development of The Kennel Club/ University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme to facilitate the breeding of healthy dogs. The RFG Scheme has been licensed in 10 other countries so far which enables a more international overview of the health of these breeds.
I am continuing this work by promoting the RFG scheme and training new assessors in the UK and internationally. I am also supervising a PhD student who is looking into airway function in 12 other brachycephalic breeds which has resulted in many dog shows being visited over the last two years.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Update on Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: What is the Evidence?
Friday, October 13, 2023
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM