BOAS Surgery

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Surgery at Foxwell Vet Coomera

Is your dog snoring, struggling to breathe, or tiring quickly during exercise? If they’re a flat-faced breed, they may be suffering from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)—a common condition that affects breathing and quality of life.

At Foxwell Vet Coomera, we offer corrective BOAS surgery to help your pet breathe easier and live more comfortably.

What is BOAS?

The diagram below shows the anatomical changes in a brachycephalic dog affected by BOAS. These include narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, displaced tongue, everted laryngeal saccules, and a hypoplastic trachea — all of which contribute to airway obstruction and respiratory difficulty.

BOAS affects brachycephalic breeds such as French and English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and others. Their shortened skull shape can lead to narrowed airways, making it harder for them to breathe, especially in heat or during exercise.

Common Symptoms

Noisy breathing or snoring
Difficulty exercising or overheating easily
Gagging, retching, or vomiting
Restless sleep
Collapse in warm weather or during activity

Common Airway Abnormalities

Stenotic nares (narrow nostrils)
Elongated soft palate
Everted laryngeal saccules (tissue obstructing the airway)
Hypoplastic trachea (narrow windpipe)

Grading BOAS Severity

Before any surgery, we assess your dog’s airway and grade the severity of BOAS. Dogs with Grade II or III signs typically benefit most from surgery. If we detect severe abnormalities or signs of advanced laryngeal collapse, we may recommend referral to a 24-hour specialist hospital, as these cases carry higher risks and may require more complex, non-routine procedures.

Surgical Procedures We Offer

At Foxwell Vet Coomera, we focus on early intervention and perform:

Soft palate resection – Shortens excess tissue at the back of the throat to clear the airway
Stenotic nares resection – Widens the nostrils to improve airflow
Everted laryngeal saccules removal – Clears obstructive tissue to reduce respiratory effort

Before and After Soft Palate Resection

The following images show a patient’s airway before and after soft palate resection. This procedure reduces the length and bulk of the soft palate, allowing more space for airflow and helping to prevent long-term respiratory issues.

Before Surgery:

Foxwell Vet Coomera - Before BOAS Surgery

After Surgery:

Foxwell Vet Coomera - After BOAS Surgery

Understanding BOAS Anatomy

This anatomical diagram illustrates the key abnormalities associated with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) in a pug. It highlights the structural changes such as stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules, and hypoplastic trachea that contribute to respiratory obstruction in brachycephalic breeds.

Before and After Nare Surgery

The images below show a patient before and after stenotic nares surgery. This procedure helps to widen the nostrils and improve airflow, significantly reducing breathing effort and improving comfort.