<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Short-nosed </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/dogs" rel="" target="" title="dogs"><span>dogs</span></a><span> could soon be able to breathe easier thanks to a new injection developed by </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="" title="Australian"><span>Australian</span></a><span> scientists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Almost half of all Pugs, French and British Bulldogs suffer from chronic respiratory condition Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which progressively impacts their ability to breathe, eat, exercise and sleep.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In severe cases, the condition can also shorten their life up to four years.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/replace-iran-with-italy-fifa-world-cup-donald-trump-paolo-zampolli-usa-politics-news/d50e7c73-987e-4511-964b-259c5205610a" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump envoy asks president to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Decades of selective breeding for the popular flat-faced appearance have unfortunately led to serious breathing problems," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Most affected dogs, like Pugtato, require surgery to widen the nostrils and remove excessive throat tissue to help their breathing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He was absolutely struggling to breathe and I actually thought he was going to die," Pugtato's owner Joanna Herceg said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/snoretox-aussie-scientists-develop-injectable-treatment-to-help-flatnosed-dogs-breathe-easier/0cf9472f-b617-4c28-9ce8-57b1036e7779" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He dropped seven or eight kilograms but still he was struggling.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The surgery improved him a little bit but he still wasn't good."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Out of options, Pugtato was one of six pugs and bulldogs to take part in an early trial of a new oral treatment for dogs who struggled to complete a brisk three-minute walk.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Developed by biotech company Snoretox and RMIT University in Melbourne, the SnoreTox-1 trial is hoping to provide a less-invasive alternative to help with breathing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The dogs were sedated before an injection of Snoretox-1 was given under their tongue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/westpac-hikes-fixed-rates-on-home-loans/2c2c99dd-4e0a-423b-8b57-ece0d9210112" target="_blank"><strong><span>Westpac hikes interest rates on fixed home loans</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The trial found owners began noticing reduced breathing noise and effort when walking after just 10 days.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For Pugtato, it was even quicker.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We did the Snoretox injection and literally within a few days I started to notice his breathing improving," Herceg said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He went from a dog who struggled everyday and was really loud...to a dog that's active, happy, plays and his breathing's drastically improved"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The SnoreTox-1 technology is described as "the opposite of Botox" and works by strengthening airway muscles to help support the throat to maintain airflow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What it does is the opposite of Botox. It makes the muscles at the floor of the mouth a little stronger, " Snoretox Managing Director and RMIT Adjunct Professor Tony Sasse said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has been in development for 15 years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For some of the dogs the treatment lasted more than six months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now researchers are hoping to ramp up trials in the middle of the year, with the aim of eventually getting the treatment approved for wider use.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Further research and regulatory approvals are required before the treatment can be offered more widely, but these positive results provide an early indication that we are on the right path," Sasse said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>