Western News: October 19, 2023

Thursday October 19 2023 5
BIGGER AND
BETTER: Corey
Griffiths has
worked on
building his
race-worthy kart
throughout the
year at a series of
EVolocity-arranged
events.
Bright future ahead
• From page 1
Said Corey: “I’m quite nervous about
the final as I still need to finish the
steering this week. Once that’s done I’ll
be relieved.”
EVolocity co-ordinator Susan Siu
Grobler said the event was an important
one for students.
“This event is the pinnacle of the students’
hard work as they can see results,
experience competition and get ideas
from other students’ creations.”
The race day will feature three different
types of race; a 100m drag race based
on speed, a gymkhana where karts and
students will have to go around, over and
through obstacles, and a 2-3km endurance
race where each lap is counted.
Each kart will also be judged in four
‘special’ categories; engineering and design,
electronic innovation, showstopper,
and earth care.
“Electronics is Corey’s passion. Last
year he received the Best in Class Excellence
award for electronics, so having
the opportunity to put his skills to use
in EVolocity has been amazing,” said
Griffiths.
“He has loved the process of building
and improving the kart and is very
grateful to Mr Creighton whose hard
work and dedication have made it possible
for Corey and the other teams to be
part of EVolocity.”
EVolocity is a not-for-profit charitable
organisation that tutors students in
STEM – science, technology, engineering
and mathematics – all over the country.
Students from Avonside Girls High,
Hagley College, Hillmorton High,
Hornby High, Hurunui College, Rangiora
New Life, Riccarton High School,
Roncalli College and St Thomas of Canterbury
will compete alongside Corey,
showcasing their hand-built electric
vehicles at Kartsport race track.
At the event there will be opportunities
to meet and chat with Canterbury
University’s Formula SAE electric race
car team and to test drive a Melo Yelo
e-bike. Food and drinks will be available
on the day.
To secure free tickets, go to https://
evolocity.co.nz/events/regional-finalscanterbury-2/
or contact Susan Siu
Grobler at susan@evolocity.co.nz.
Brachycephalics
and their airways
Dogs evolved more than 40 million
years ago.
Around 150-200 years ago, the concept of
“breed” as we know it today was invented.
Due to the popularity of showing and
breeding in the early 1900’s, there was
a need to create a spectrum of diverse
breeds. The modern domestic dog became
mans greatest genetic experiment - in
some cases genetic triumph, in others
genetic disaster.
Health and welfare concerns about
Brachycephalic dogs has become an
increasingly high profile and contentious
topic among the veterinary profession
over recent years. There is no doubt these
dogs have fabulous personalities and
the popularity of this cherished breed is
on the rise, but these dogs are strongly
predisposed to a range of disorders due to
their conformation. The most concerning
is respiratory disease but they also get
spinal disease, eye diseases, dystocia and
heat stroke. It has been reported they live
significantly shorter lifespans compared to
non- Brachycephalic dogs.
Brachycephalic breeds have a shorter wider
skull, which leads to a narrow nasal passage
and altered pharyngeal anatomy. Pugs
and English bulldogs can have a dorsal
rotation of the maxillary bone (upper
jaw). Breathing is just really difficult, they
are often snorers from a young age and
exercising becomes an effort. If severe
enough, these dogs will collapse, especially
after a bout of over activity, excitement or
excessive heat. Some dogs will gag, retch
or reverse sneeze due to choking on their
overly long soft palate. Regurgitation of
food is common and this can be what
they are seen for first. This can lead to
bronchopneumonia.
Diagnosis of elongated soft palate, tonsil
enlargement and laryngeal collapse can
only be made visually under carefully
managed anaesthesia. Stenotic nostrils can
be observed on physical exam.
Posh at
home
before
her
exciting
day at
the vets
Steve Heap
performing soft
palate shortening
From all accounts Posh is experiencing no
exercise intolerance, is a snorer though but
healthy otherwise. Early surgical correction
of this condition is advised before
secondary changes develop in the airways,
causing severe breathing issues that
become irreversible, affecting her quality of
life and exercise ability.
The finished product - an open
unobstructed airway
We take extra precautions with the
anaesthetic and drugs used because
of her breed. Posh only had her palate
shortened as her nostrils were of good
width ( which is unusual for this breed).
Posh breezed through her spey and palate
surgery, waking up uneventfully, looking
comfortable and settled.
Recent studies have shown that 90% of
BOAS dogs are significantly improved with
surgery. If treatment is undertaken early
before we see laryngeal collapse, these
dogs can enjoy exercise and play without
shortness of breath.
Recently we had the pleasure of meeting
“ Posh”, a much loved 7 month old French
Bulldog. Posh was admitted for her
desexing procedure and BOAS surgery
with Dr Steve Heap ( BOAS is a combination
or narrow nostrils and an overly long soft
palate at the back of the throat) because
she’s a breed to go on and develop severe
respiratory disease later in life.
Posh 60
minutes
post
surgery
Surgical positioning for shortening
the soft palate
Dr Steve Heap is now performing these
surgeries at McMaster & Heap. We have
the necessary equipment and operating
microscope to perform these very delicate
surgeries.
If you would like more information on BOAS
surgery, please make an appointment with
Steve.
Dr Michele McMaster
Open 7 days Cnr Hoon Hay & Coppell place ph: 338 2534
e. reception@mcmasterandheap.co.nz www.mcmasterheap.co.nz