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WHAT IS BOAS?

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Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a condition that affects short-nosed (flat-faced) dog breeds. Commonly affected breeds include French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and similar breeds.

 

Because of their shortened skull shape, these dogs often have narrowed or abnormal airways. This makes breathing more difficult and means your dog has to work harder to get enough air, especially during exercise, excitement, warm weather, or stress.

 

Signs of BOAS include but not limited to: 

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• Noisy breathing (snorting, snoring, wheezing, or stertor)

• Open-mouth breathing at rest

• Laboured or rapid breathing

• Breathing that worsens with excitement, exercise, heat, or stress

• Blue or pale gums or tongue during severe episodes

• Poor exercise tolerance compared to other dogs

• Reluctance to walk or play

• Stopping frequently during exercise

• Collapse or fainting episodes

• Loud snoring while asleep

• Restless sleep

• Sleeping with neck extended or in unusual positions to help breathing

• Regurgitation and excessive swallowing

• Gagging or retching, especially after eating or drinking

 

WHY IS BOAS IMPORTANT?

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BOAS is more than just snoring or noisy breathing. It is a progressive disease that can significantly affect your dog’s comfort, safety, and quality of life.

 

If BOAS is untreated, it can lead to:

• Difficulty breathing and poor exercise tolerance

• Collapse of the airways

• Overheating and heat stroke

• Sleep disturbance and collapse episodes

• Worsening airway damage over time

• Digestive problems such as reflux and regurgitation

• Hiatal hernias (stomach gets sucked into the chest due to negative pressure leading to digestive issues)

• Death

 

Early treatment helps reduce disease progression and improves both breathing and overall wellbeing.

 

WHAT CAUSES BOAS?

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• Narrow nostrils that restrict airflow

• An overly long and thick soft palate that blocks the airway

• Enlarged tonsils

• A narrow windpipe

• Collapse of the voice box in advanced cases

 

These abnormalities increase resistance to airflow and

create strong negative pressure when breathing in,

which affects both the airway and digestive system.

 

 

HOW BOAS IS DIAGNOSED?

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Diagnosis usually includes some or all of the

following depending on the pet:

• A history of clinical signs as listed above

• Physical examination

• Chest x-rays

• Airway assessment

• CT + endoscopy

 

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HOW DO WE FIX IT?

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The disease can never be fully treated as there are certain components we cannot alter such as windpipe size, tongue size and skull shape. However, addressing other components can significantly improve the quality of life.

 

Surgery aims to permanently improve airflow and reduce breathing effort. This also reduces pressure on the digestive system.

 

Surgical procedures may include:

• Widening narrow nostrils

• Shortening and thinning the soft palate

• Removing enlarged tonsils if required

• Removing everted laryngeal saccules if required

 

Surgery provides the best long-term outcome for dogs with BOAS.

 

Non-surgical management may help reduce symptoms but does not correct the underlying problem. This is appropriate in mild cases but often not effective and the disease continues to progress.

 

This may include:

• Keeping your dog at a lean body weight

• Avoiding heat, over-excitement, and strenuous exercise

• Feeding smaller, more frequent meals

• Medications to manage reflux or oesophageal inflammation

• Using a harness instead of a collar

 

BEST TIMING FOR BOAS SURGERY?

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BOAS surgery is most effective when performed early, before permanent airway damage develops. The ideal time for surgery is typically between 6 months and 2 years of age, but older patients will also benefit if clinically affected.

 

Surgery improves quality of life but does not make a brachycephalic dog breathe like a long-nosed breed.

 

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WHAT TO EXPECT WITH SURGERY?

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BOAS surgery has good results, but these patients have higher risk than average due to their airway anatomy.

 

Potential risks include:

• Airway swelling after surgery

• Temporary breathing difficulty

• Bleeding

• Aspiration pneumonia

• Rarely, the need for emergency airway support

• And extremely rare cases, death

 

Careful anaesthetic planning and close monitoring greatly reduce these risks. We will also prepare your pet with the appropriate medications prior to surgery to give us the best chance of success.

 

Good aftercare is essential for recovery and your pet should be fully recovered in 2 weeks. Home care includes:

• Strict rest for 10–14 days, with a post-operative assessment with a vet.

• Keeping your dog calm and avoiding excitement

• Using a harness only

• Feeding small, soft meals, in the form of meatballs

• Monitoring closely for breathing difficulty, coughing, or regurgitation

• Keeping your dog cool, especially in warm weather

 

We will provide specific instructions for your dog.

 

Most dogs show clear improvement in breathing, comfort, exercise tolerance, and digestive signs after surgery. Improvements may continue over several weeks as healing occurs. 88% of owners are happier with their pet’s quality of life after the procedure.

 

BOAS surgery significantly improves quality of life and reduces future health risks.