BOAS – Surgical treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

Surgery for BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) is a medical procedure used in brachycephalic dog breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pekingese. BOAS is a condition in which anatomical deformities lead to narrowing of the upper airways, making normal breathing difficult.

Surgery for BOAS aims to relieve the symptoms and improve the dog’s quality of life. There are several different procedures that can be performed depending on the individual case. They may include:

• A nasopharyngeal fistula: this involves creating an additional opening in the nose to make airflow easier.

• Shortening of the soft palate: in this procedure part of the soft palate is removed, which helps to open up the upper airways.

• Removal of the palatine tonsils: sometimes the palatine tonsils are also removed in order to reduce the narrowing of the airways.

• Nasal plasty: in some cases it may be necessary to correct anatomical deformities of the nose in order to improve airflow.

BOAS is operated on by a veterinarian specialising in small animal surgery, and the procedure always requires general anaesthesia. Before a decision on surgery is taken, the dog has to be examined thoroughly and a specialist consulted, who will assess the degree of narrowing of the airways and recommend the appropriate procedure.

At Zviropolis this operation is performed by a top-class specialist surgeon with many years of experience in soft tissue surgery. It is carried out in a dedicated sterile operating theatre, on equipment of the highest quality and under inhalation anaesthesia. 

It is worth noting that BOAS surgery is not a complete cure, but it can considerably improve a dog’s quality of life by easing the symptoms of laboured breathing. Regular check-ups and veterinary care are also essential for the health and wellbeing of a dog with BOAS.