Clinical observations of tetanus toxin plus decoy, Snoretox-1, a novel targeted neuromuscular stimulant, in a pilot study of 6 British bulldogs with BOAS.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the novel therapeutic Snoretox-1 for the treatment of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) in British bulldogs.

METHODS

A therapeutic (Snoretox-1) was developed consisting of a muscle-toning protein (tetanus toxin) and an antibody trap (decoy), previously demonstrated via in vivo studies to functionally increase local muscle tone in the presence of neutralising antibodies. British bulldogs with grade 2 or 3 BOAS were treated, under sedation, by injection of the therapeutic bilaterally into the centre of the rostral geniohyoid. Bulldogs were graded by an accredited unblinded observer utilising the Respiratory Functional Grading (RFG) scale, after a three-minute trot test, at multi-week intervals, until any improvement returned to baseline values.

RESULTS

Six British bulldogs were enrolled in this study (two male, four female) aged between 4 and 8 years old. All dogs improved by at least one BOAS grade on the RFG scale. Non-parametric statistical analysis (Friedman χ² with Durbin-Conover post-hoc tests) showed that BOAS severity grades recorded after Snoretox-1 treatment at time points up to 12 weeks were significantly lower than after placebo (p < 0.001), with improvements lasting from 20 to 53 weeks post-treatment. Feeding difficulty for up to 5 ½ weeks may occur with incorrect placement outside the rostral geniohyoid.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection of the Snoretox-1 muscle-toning therapeutic decreased the severity of BOAS in British bulldogs by one grade or more for a period of between 20 weeks and 53 weeks.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Snoretox-1 could offer a less invasive, well-tolerated and effective treatment for BOAS.