Almost everyone you know owns a french bulldog, as this breed has climbed to the top of the AKC’s most popular breeds in the United States for multiple years in a row! While frenchies are adorable and very personable, they carry a long list of medical predispositions that many owners are unaware of before their first vet visit. The number one condition we worry about is BOAS, or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Although frenchies are one of the top of the BOAS list, this list also consists of most flat faced breeds like english bulldogs, pugs, pekingese, and boston terriers.
These breeds skull structure has been changed by years of selective breeding, making it shorter and giving more of the flat faced look. Due to this change over the years, this has caused the soft palate in the back of the airway to become longer than normal, which can form a flap over the trachea making the dog work harder to get air and not swallow their food normally. Most of these breeds also have smaller nasal passages, also referred to as NARES, which further restricts the intake of air.
How do I know if my pet is a good candidate?
Most breeds affected come in with the presenting complaint of snorting, snoring, or inability to be in warmer weather. While the dog ages, these dispositions usually become more prominent and sometimes can be life threatening. During a stressful moment, the palate can swell up, fully blocking off the airway which can result in respiratory failure.
Our BOAS Procedure
Here at Heritage Veterinary Care, we perform our BOAS surgeries with a surgical laser. This cuts down on inflammation, healing time, and risk of bleeding and aspiration. The younger the pet is, the better outcome due to less damage to the airway. We typically recommend this surgery to be performed during your pets spay or neuter. Your pets are monitored from the time they walk through the front door, to the time they are sent home. Post-op care consists of a steroid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and pain medication, and a medication called cerenia, to help with any nausea that may come with the procedure. As long as surgery goes well, your pet will be out the door and back home the same day!
The doctor behind the laser!
Dr. Aimee Clay has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2013, as a graduate from The Ohio State University. Dr. Clay attended a lecture about brachycephalic breeds in 2017, and has been destined to help them breathe since! “A decrease in respiratory distress is the main goal of the surgery” says Dr. Clay in an article written by the Union Progress in 2023. Dr. Clay has been visited by brachycephalic owners from around the country to perform the BOAS procedure. We don’t call her the BOAS queen for nothing!
At Heritage Veterinary Care, our experienced veterinary team combines compassionate care with cutting-edge tools to ensure the best outcomes for your pet’s health and comfort. We are happy to discuss whether the BOAS procedure is the best option for your petand to answer any questions you may have. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Clay, please call us at (740)937-2000