this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2026
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cross-posted from: https://news.abolish.capital/post/44197

Australian scientists have developed an injectable therapy that helps clear blocked airways in flat-faced dogs. Melbourne-based biotechnology company Snoretox and RMIT University have shown early success using the first therapy from a new technology, known as Snoretox-1.


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[–] vic_rattlehead@lemmy.world 116 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Or we could just stop breeding animals with hallmark genetic defects.

[–] velma@lemmy.blahaj.zone 54 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Why not both? This could help existing dogs live better lives.

[–] tpyo@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Those were my thoughts in that order. But I'm very in favor of the projects to bring the breeds like pugs, and I think Boston terrier was another, closer to the original forms

Responsible breeding though, we have too many homeless animals as is

retro pugs!

Frenchies

[–] Malyca@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 month ago

This! There are breeders out there breeding pugs without these problems, the rest should be banned

[–] AskewLord@piefed.social 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

people pay $1000s for these dogs, sometimes 10,000+

they are status symbols.

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 56 points 1 month ago (3 children)

How about just banning the breeding of animals that were designed to suffer?

[–] foodandart@lemmy.zip 40 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Between the people that breed flat faced animals - including cats, to those that breed german shepherds with slumped rumps (the breeders call it a "show line") that suffer from hip dysplasia - I've just got to ask.. what the fuck is wrong with animal "afficianados" that support such shit.

[–] aloofPenguin@piefed.world 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The dog might be something like an accessory to them. They might not care for the animal.

[–] foodandart@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 month ago

Oh, that they don't care for the animal - which is little more than a means to an end - is a given.

Just reprehensible people.

[–] AskewLord@piefed.social 3 points 1 month ago

they think it is cute.

[–] WhyIHateTheInternet@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Prolly need to get laid.

By a human, to be clear.

[–] frightful5680@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

I have zero qualms with a tamed wolf. Joint awo sessions after dinner. 🐺

[–] markz@suppo.fi 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

But it's so cute when they struggle to breathe!

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Pugs' eyes can also pop out of thier skull

[–] markz@suppo.fi 2 points 1 month ago
[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago

That should happen, but it's also good that vets are trying to help these disabled critters lead better lives. And if it becomes adaptable to some humans with disabilities, so much the better.

[–] rimu@piefed.social 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)

This is good because now they can breed them with even flatter faces than before.

/s

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

You're right, we need concave dogs

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 18 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've read somewhere that some boxer lines are being bred with longer muzzles.

[–] ouRKaoS@lemmy.today 3 points 1 month ago

Same with pugs, I've heard.

A veterinarian saying "oh yeah, sometimes their eyes fall out 🤷‍♂️" tells you that maybe things were pushed too far.

[–] homes@piefed.world 15 points 1 month ago

New laws against dog inbreeding?

[–] frightful5680@lemmy.world 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Just happy someone cares, but yeah cosmetic and backyard breeders have got to go.

[–] antlion@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Because of the adopt-first movement, backyard and pedigree breeders are all that’s left in the US.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I don't deny your claim but I'm not enough coffees deep to follow

[–] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What other choice is there in other countries?

[–] antlion@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Working dogs are bred for fitness at their task. Many of these breeds are now neurotic because they are without duty over many generations.

I’m sure there are still plenty of good working dog breeders on farms. But, I honestly don’t know who in the world is breeding dogs fit for house pets. Some of the Victorian era breeds had that goal, but have since drifted into… problems.

[–] clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

Agreed!

I hadn't thought of working dogs.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Bichon frises, you know, those purse dogs? I hear they make great apartment dogs too. But I don't know dogs very well

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 12 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Dog Face Lengthener! Lengthen your flat dog's face and allow it to breathe easy. WARNING: Not suitable for borzois.

[–] foodandart@lemmy.zip 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I love borzois.

When I was a teenager, a family friend had a whippet. He was the fastest thing in the neighborhood and was a bit of an asshole, in that he'd strafe other dogs and nip at them as he flew by. He wasn't neutered so had an alpha male attitude on all the time.

We're at a picnic area having a barbecue and in enters the acquaintance from hell, (who was a pot dealer on the side, coming by to join the festivities and make a deal with the grownups) and his two borzois - Zero and Arrow. (Zero was an absolute snuggle-bug and the chillest dog ever..)

Welp, the whippet (named Whippet) started in on the borzois and they were having none of it. They ran circles around him and actually put his nose in the dirt as they ran him down twice. The only thing Whippet had as an advantage was turning radius at speed. You never saw a dog so instantly humbled and he spent the rest of the afternoon under the picnic table.

We all got a good laugh out of it.. Whippet really was an asshole..

[–] Almacca@aussie.zone 7 points 1 month ago

Would this be adaptable to help with sleep apnea in humans?