Imagine STRUGGLING with EVERY BREATH you take because something is being SUCKED into your WINDPIPE, BLOCKING your AIRWAY 🫁 that you rely on for oxygen. Well that’s exactly what brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is like. These dogs suffer on a daily basis, which is why it is an animal welfare issue that we must proactively address. Dogs with BOAS deserve a better the quality of life & it’s our job to help them !

The “FLAPPING” we SEE & HEAR is abnormal & results from an ELONGATED SOFT PALATE which can affect BRACHYCEPHALIC DOGS.

What’s An ELONGATED SOFT PALATE? The soft palate = soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth that separates the nasal passages from the mouth.

An elongated soft palate extends into the throat (they suck this into the air pipe as they attempt to breathe) & it blocks oxygen airflow into the trachea/windpipe

Excitement, stress, barking, & panting causes the tissues to swell which leads to respiratory distress, airway collapse, & airway diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, heatstroke, & collapse.

To help correct this problem the elongated soft palate requires surgical correction which is known as a staphylectomy.

Did you know that adequate thermoregulation is dependent on nasal ventilation ?

Without the ability to breathe through the nose, brachycephalics are forced to breathe through the mouth. This is why we see these breeds open mouth breathing & panting.

Stenotic nares are genetic, caused by a malformation of the cartilage in the nose.

Over time the increased airway resistance from pinched nostrils leads to increased effort to breathe in. This is hard on the larynx, which can collapse, making breathing nearly impossible which can lead to death.
SYMPTOMS of BOAS include:
1. Noisy breathing, snoring, wheezing, snorting
2. Open Mouth Breathing
3. Exercise Intolerance
4. Gagging
5. Choking
6. Regurgitation
7. Abdominal Breathing
8. Bluish Color (instead of pink) of Gums