BOAS Surgery for
Flat-Faced Dogs in West Yorkshire.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome affects the majority of French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs. Corrective airway surgery helps your dog breathe more easily, sleep more soundly and enjoy a far better quality of life. Performed at Paws & Co Veterinary Centre, Tingley.
Breeds most at risk
BOAS is a conformational condition. Any dog with a shortened muzzle can be affected, but the following breeds are most commonly diagnosed.
What Is BOAS and How Does Surgery Help?
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a group of airway abnormalities found in flat-faced breeds. Selective breeding for a shortened skull has compressed the soft tissues of the nose and throat into a much smaller space, leaving the airway narrowed at several points along its length.
The three most common components are narrowed nostrils (stenotic nares), an overlong soft palate that hangs into the airway, and everted laryngeal saccules, small pockets of tissue that are pulled into the larynx by the effort of breathing. Together they create the snoring, snorting and laboured breathing that many owners assume is simply normal for the breed.
BOAS surgery widens the nostrils, shortens and reshapes the soft palate and, where necessary, removes the everted saccules. The result is a dramatically wider airway. Most dogs breathe noticeably better within days, and the procedure also slows the progression of secondary problems such as laryngeal collapse.
Consultation & airway assessment
A full physical examination, breathing assessment at rest and after gentle exercise, and grading of the nostrils to confirm the diagnosis and surgical suitability.
Pre-operative preparation
Blood work and careful anaesthetic planning. Flat-faced breeds carry a higher anaesthetic risk, so pre-oxygenation, anti-sickness medication and airway protection are built into every case.
BOAS procedure
Nostril widening (alarplasty), soft palate resection and removal of everted laryngeal saccules where present. All three are addressed in a single anaesthetic.
Recovery & monitoring
Close nurse monitoring during recovery, followed by two weeks of rest, soft food and a harness instead of a collar while the airway heals.
Is BOAS surgery right for your dog?
Surgery is recommended for any brachycephalic dog with moderate or severe BOAS, and is worth considering for dogs with milder signs that are struggling in warm weather or during exercise. The best long-term outcomes are seen when surgery is carried out early, ideally between one and two years of age, before secondary changes to the larynx develop.
Many owners are surprised to learn that the snoring, snorting and heavy panting they have always accepted as breed quirks are in fact signs of a dog struggling to breathe.
Surgery is also often recommended before other procedures such as neutering, because a corrected airway makes any future anaesthetic considerably safer.
Important: BOAS is progressive. Left untreated, the constant effort of breathing leads to laryngeal collapse, heat intolerance, regurgitation and, in severe cases, life-threatening breathing crises. Early surgery gives the best result.
Recovery Timeline, Step by Step.
Recovery from BOAS surgery is quicker than most owners expect. The airway is sensitive for the first fortnight, so a calm, cool environment and a little patience make all the difference.
Surgery & close monitoring
Your dog is admitted in the morning and monitored closely by our nursing team as they wake up, since the airway can swell in the hours after surgery. Most dogs stay with us overnight or until we are fully happy with their breathing.
Home & settling
Discharged with pain relief and anti-inflammatories. Keep your dog cool, calm and quiet. Some noisy breathing, coughing or gagging is normal while the swelling settles. Offer small, soft meals and plenty of fresh water.
Healing
Short, calm lead walks on a harness only, avoiding the heat of the day. No collars, no excitement and no rough play with other dogs. Breathing is usually noticeably quieter by the end of the first week.
Post-operative check
We check the nostrils and throat are healing well and review how your dog is breathing, eating and sleeping. Soft food can usually return to normal from this point.
Return to normal activity
Walks lengthen gradually and normal play is reintroduced. Most owners report a calmer, more energetic dog that sleeps better and copes far more comfortably with exercise.
A better quality of life
The improvement is permanent for the tissues corrected. We still advise keeping your dog lean, avoiding exercise in hot weather and using a harness for life, as flat-faced breeds will always need a little extra care.
Honest Costs, No Surprises.
Our BOAS surgery is offered at a single fixed price covering all three components of the procedure. We provide a full written estimate before any surgery so you know exactly what to expect.
Initial Consultation
BOAS Surgery
Pre-Anaesthetic Bloods
Post-Operative Checks
All surgical prices include pain relief, post-operative nurse check and discharge consultation. Health plan members receive discounted consultations. BOAS surgery is commonly covered by pet insurance, though some insurers treat it as a pre-existing or hereditary condition, so please check your policy wording before booking. Call us on 0113 868 6100 with any questions.
Is It Just the Breed, or Is It BOAS?
Many of the sounds and habits we associate with flat-faced dogs are actually signs of a restricted airway. If you recognise more than one of the following in your dog, an airway assessment is worthwhile.
Loud snoring
Snoring while asleep, or noisy breathing even at rest, is one of the earliest and most reliable signs of an obstructed airway.
Heat intolerance
Dogs pant to cool down. A narrowed airway makes this inefficient, so affected dogs struggle badly in warm weather and are at real risk of heatstroke.
Tiring on walks
Stopping, sitting down or lagging behind on short walks, often with very heavy panting that takes a long time to settle afterwards.
Regurgitation & gagging
Bringing food back up, retching, or gagging after eating and drinking. BOAS puts pressure on the digestive tract as well as the airway.
Sleeping upright
Sleeping sitting up, with the chin propped on something, or with a toy in the mouth are all ways a dog tries to keep the airway open overnight.
Blue gums or collapse
Bluish gums or tongue, fainting, or collapse after excitement or exercise are signs of a severe airway obstruction and need urgent veterinary attention.
Worried right now? If your dog is struggling to breathe, has blue or purple gums, or has collapsed, keep them cool and calm and call us immediately on 0113 868 6100. Breathing difficulties in flat-faced breeds are always an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog needs BOAS surgery?
Loud snoring, noisy breathing at rest, tiring quickly on walks, struggling in warm weather and regurgitating food are the most common signs. Book a consultation and we will assess your dog's breathing at rest and after gentle exercise, grade the nostrils and advise whether surgery would help.
What age is best for BOAS surgery?
We generally recommend surgery from around 12 months of age, once the dog has finished growing. Earlier intervention gives the best long-term result because it prevents the secondary changes, particularly laryngeal collapse, that develop over years of laboured breathing. Older dogs still benefit, though the improvement may be less complete.
Is the anaesthetic safe for flat-faced breeds?
Brachycephalic dogs do carry a higher anaesthetic risk, which is precisely why we plan every case carefully. Pre-oxygenation, anti-sickness medication, airway protection throughout, and a dedicated nurse monitoring recovery all reduce that risk significantly. Correcting the airway also makes any future anaesthetic safer.
Will surgery stop my dog snoring completely?
Most dogs are dramatically quieter after surgery, but a small amount of noise may remain, as surgery cannot change the underlying shape of the skull. The aim is comfortable, effortless breathing rather than total silence.
Does pet insurance cover BOAS surgery?
Many policies do cover BOAS surgery, but some insurers exclude it as a hereditary or conformational condition, or require the signs to have started after the policy began. Check your policy wording or call your insurer before booking. We can provide a written estimate and clinical notes to support your claim.
How long will my dog be in the practice?
Your dog is admitted in the morning and surgery is carried out the same day. Because the airway can swell after surgery, we keep dogs with us until we are completely happy with their breathing, which sometimes means an overnight stay. We will keep you updated throughout.
What are the risks of BOAS surgery?
As with any surgery there are risks, the main ones being post-operative swelling of the airway, bleeding and, rarely, aspiration pneumonia. Careful anaesthetic planning and close monitoring keep these risks low, and the vast majority of dogs recover without complication.
Can I get a second opinion before committing?
Absolutely. We welcome second opinions and are happy to review clinical notes or imaging from other practices. Book a consultation and bring any existing records with you.
Book an Airway Assessment or Ask Us a Question.
Whether you are worried about your dog's breathing, want a second opinion, or would simply like to discuss the procedure, we are here to help. Call, email, or visit us at Capitol Park, Tingley.
Contact Details
Tingley, West Yorkshire WF3 1DR
Opening Hours
Ready to book an airway assessment? Call us on 0113 868 6100 or email hello@pawsandco.vet and we will get back to you promptly.
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