Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) in Dogs

Flat-faced dog breeds are incredibly popular, but many owners are unaware that the same features that make these dogs look cute can also make breathing much more difficult.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a condition affecting the upper airway of short-nosed breeds and can significantly impact a dog's comfort, ability to exercise, and overall quality of life.

At Vet Cross, we regularly assess and treat dogs affected by BOAS and can help determine whether your dog may benefit from treatment or surgery.

BOAS is a condition caused by the shortened skull shape seen in brachycephalic ("flat-faced") breeds.

Commonly affected breeds include:

• French Bulldogs
• Pugs
• English Bulldogs
• Boston Terriers
• Shih Tzus
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Because the bones of the face are shortened, the soft tissues in the airway become crowded, making it harder for affected dogs to breathe normally.

Many owners assume noisy breathing is "normal" for these breeds, but it is often a sign of airway obstruction.

Signs may include:

• Loud breathing or snoring
• Snorting or reverse sneezing
• Difficulty exercising
• Excessive panting
• Heat intolerance
• Gagging or retching
• Sleeping with a toy in their mouth or neck extended
• Collapse or distress in severe cases

Some dogs also experience digestive symptoms such as regurgitation or vomiting due to increased airway pressure.

Dogs do not sweat like people - they rely heavily on breathing to regulate body temperature.

Because dogs with BOAS already struggle to move air effectively, they are at much higher risk of:

• Heat stress
• Heat stroke
• Respiratory distress

Even mild exercise or warm weather can become dangerous of severely affected dogs.

Diagnosis involves:

• Assessing breathing and airflow
• Examining nostril size
• Evaluating airway noise and effort
• Assessing exercise tolerance

In many cases, a full airway assessment is performed under anaesthesia to evaluate structures deeper in the throat.

Treatment depends on severity.

Conservative Management

Mildly affected dogs may benefit from:

• Weight management
• Avoiding overheating
• Using harness instead of collars
• Limiting exercise during hot weather

For dogs with more significant airway obstruction, surgery may help improve airflow and quality of life.

Procedures may include:

• Widening narrowed nostrils
• Shortening an elongated soft palate
• removing obstructive airway tissue

Early intervention often results in better long-term outcomes.

You should consider a BOAS assessment if your dog:

• Snores heavily while awake
• Struggles after mild exercise
• Pants excessively 
• Has noisy breathing
• Seems unable to cope in warm weather

Many owners do not realise how compromised their dog's breathing has become until after treatment improves airflow.

Excess weight significantly worsens breathing difficulties in brachycephalic dogs.

Maintaining a healthy body condition can make a major difference to comfort and breathing ability.

One of the most important things to understand is that noisy breathing is usually a sign your dog is working harder to breathe.

While these signs are common in flat-faced breeds, they should not simply be accepted as "normal for the breed".

At Vet Cross, we can:

• Assess your dog's airway function
• Discuss whether BOAS is affecting their quality of life
• Recommend management strategies
• Discuss surgical treatment options where appropriate

Early assessment and treatment can significantly improve comfort, breathing, and overall wellbeing.