BOAS Surgery Bridgnorth
Clinic in Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) Surgery near Bridgnorth
Trusted Vets formerly Tudor House is rapidly becoming the people’s choice for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) Surgery. We are based in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands but have people travel from all over the UK due to our expertise in this area. We aim to offer our BOAS surgery at realistic prices while still offering only the best in treatments and aftercare.
What our BOAS surgery involves:
- We offer an X-ray to every patient, this is essential to investigate the presence of concurrent and secondary diseases such as aspiration pneumonia or hiatal hernia.
- Your surgery will only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon who is skilled and has a wealth of experience in this field.
- All of our BOAS patients will then have our head nurse as their dedicated nurse with them at all times during the recovery process.
- BOAS patients will be offered an overnight stay for close monitoring.
Trusted Vets formerly Tudor House popularity is forever growing around the UK as we are becoming increasingly famous for our love and understanding of bulldog breeds and BOAS surgery.
We take pride in our ability to take care of these issues and surgery on a daily basis. It’s important to know that having a vet that has a lot of experience with brachycephalic breeds is extremely important when choosing to own this type of breed.
Get in touch for more information about our BOAS Surgery near Bridgnorth
What is BOAS?
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a recognised condition predominantly affecting certain dog breeds with shorter muzzles, flatter noses and wide-shaped heads, known as brachycephalic breeds (‘brachy’ meaning short, and ‘cephalic’, meaning head).
Common breeds of brachycephalic dogs include French and English bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Pugs, Boxers, Mastiffs and Pekingese. Other breeds with longer noses, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, can also be affected, although less commonly.
The soft tissues of the nose and throat in some brachycephalic dogs may be excessive and can lead to partial obstruction of their airways. This makes it difficult for these dogs to breathe normally, causing noisy breathing and often heavy panting. This condition is a progressive disorder that can impair a dog’s ability to;
- Exercise and play – reduced ability, slow, may appear lazy or less inclined to go for a walk.
- Eat – frequently regurgitates.
- Sleep – excessive snoring and may wake themselves up when they can’t catch a breath properly.
The condition may deteriorate with time, so the sooner something can be done to help, the better the expected outcome. Also, general anaesthesia and surgery are far less risky in terms of maintaining an open airway if the symptoms are only mild or caught early.
Contact us for BOAS Surgery near Bridgnorth, Shropshire
BOAS FAQs
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BOAS?
NARROW NOSTRILS?
Having narrow nostrils makes breathing difficult; some severely affected dogs have to pant to get enough air.
CROWDED NOSE AND THROAT?
Flat-faced dogs have a lot of nose tissue packed into a small space, which means they have to breathe through very narrow, crowded nasal passages.
OVERLONG SOFT PALATE?
Flat-faced dogs often have a large soft palate that sits further back than normal. It often covers the windpipe, which makes breathing difficult.
The soft palate can also cause problems during sleep – if it’s covering the windpipe you may notice your dog snoring or waking up suddenly gasping for breath.
NARROW WINDPIPE?
A narrow windpipe makes breathing difficult, especially when exercising. Breathing through a narrow windpipe is a bit like trying to breathe through a drinking straw. There are also two sacs inside the windpipe that often become enlarged and cause further problems.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF DOGS WITH BOAS?
Obese dogs are more than twice as likely to show signs of BOAS compared to dogs with normal body conditions.
Unfortunately, dogs with upper respiratory disorders were the cause of death for 17% of dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation (Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs) compared to 0% for all other breeds of dogs.
The lifespan of dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation is younger (8.6 years) than all other dog breeds (12.7 years).
WHY ARE ONLY CERTAIN BREEDS AFFECTED BY BRACHYCEPHALIC SYNDROME (BOAS)?
Dog Breeds with short noses have a compacted skeleton which can cause a number of malformations. This includes malformations in their, spine, tails and nasal cavities and spine and their tails. This means their soft tissue is excessive for their skeleton, which explains the amount of skin folds brachycephalic dogs have on their faces and bodies. Similar folds and excessive soft tissues are also present inside the body. This often leads to airway obstructions. The skin folds may also cause dermatological problems.
HOW IS BOAS TREATED?
As most of the problems included in BOAS result from upper airway obstruction, the main initial focus is unblocking the airways. This is mostly achieved by surgically widening the nares and shortening the soft palate. In most instances, dogs having undergone surgery will be sufficiently and durably improved to never require any additional surgical treatments for their airways. However, a small subset of dogs will deteriorate further with time and require more treatments, especially for their larynx.
CAN BOAS (BRACHYCEPHALIC OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY SYNDROME) WORSEN WITH AGE?
Dogs who suffer from BOAS, have more difficulty breathing, which then can cause secondary difficulties to develop over time. Added weight gain from restricted exercise and ageing over time may develop into life-threatening breathing difficulties in dogs.
WILL BOAS STOP MY DOG FROM SNORING?
Requiring less effort to breathe after surgery will improve the quality of your dog’s life greatly. Most dogs will enjoy improved exercise, eating and digestive issues, heat toleration, improved sleep and snoring less loudly.
HOW LONG WILL RECOVERY TAKE AFTER BOAS SURGERY?
Depending on factors including age and the severity of your dog’s condition, it’s usual for the recovery period to be between 1 -2 weeks, for most recovery is uncomplicated.
Your dog will be treated for pain and also monitored for 8-24 hours before being able to go home. Once released, they should rest for 1 week, ideally, no activity that would cause heavy breathing and barking i.e short walks and light play.
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS BOAS SURGERY?
Recent studies have shown around 70% of dogs that undergo BOAS surgery show a significant improvement in life. Greatly improving effort required for breathing, eating and digestion, sleeping, snoring less loudly and exercise.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF DOGS WITH BOAS?
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a respiratory condition that primarily affects dogs with brachycephalic or flat-faced conformation, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. These breeds are at a higher risk of developing BOAS due to their unique anatomical features. One significant risk factor associated with this condition is obesity. Research has shown that obese dogs are more than twice as likely to exhibit signs of BOAS compared to dogs with normal body conditions. Excess body weight can exacerbate the already compromised airways of brachycephalic dogs, making it even more challenging for them to breathe comfortably.
Additionally, extreme brachycephalic conformation itself is a major risk factor for BOAS. Dogs with such conformation, which includes breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs, face a significantly higher risk of experiencing severe respiratory issues. Disturbingly, the risk extends beyond the development of the condition itself, as statistics reveal that dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation have a 17% risk of death attributed to BOAS, in stark contrast to a 0% risk for all other dog breeds. Furthermore, dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation are notably shorter, with an average lifespan of 8.6 years, compared to the 12.7-year average lifespan of dogs belonging to other breeds. These findings emphasise the critical importance of addressing the risk factors associated with BOAS in brachycephalic dogs and promoting measures to ensure their overall health and well-being.
CAN BOAS (BRACHYCEPHALIC OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY SYNDROME) WORSEN WITH AGE?
BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) is a chronic respiratory condition that predominantly affects brachycephalic dog breeds. It is essential to understand that BOAS can indeed worsen with age, posing a significant concern for the affected dogs. While certain breeds of brachycephalic dogs are often born with inherent anatomical abnormalities that predispose them to airway obstruction, the condition tends to progress and intensify as they grow older.
One of the key risk factors associated with the progression of BOAS is the cumulative effect of the anatomical abnormalities commonly found in brachycephalic dogs. These abnormalities include stenotic nares (narrowed nostrils), an elongated soft palate, and excessive soft tissue in the throat. Over time, these structural issues can lead to increased airway resistance, making it more difficult for affected dogs to breathe. As they age, the strain on their respiratory system can exacerbate, resulting in a worsening of their BOAS symptoms. Owners of brachycephalic dogs should be vigilant in monitoring their pets’ respiratory health, especially as they grow older, as early intervention and medical management can help alleviate the condition and improve the quality of life for their beloved companions.