Kilo’s short nose + stress = breathing distress. BOAS can quickly become an emergency as these dogs have too much stuff in too small of a space.

Their nose & throat anatomy makes breathing—& even cooling themselves down—difficult.

Add fear, anxiety, or stress, & swelling can make an already narrow airway even smaller.

That’s why recognizing respiratory distress early is so important.

As a Fear Free Animal Hospital, our first priority with Kilo was to reduce his fear, anxiety, & stress while helping him breathe safely.

We used appropriate anti-anxiety medication, thermal support to keep him cool, & anti-nausea medication so we could stabilize him & perform the testing needed to evaluate his airway.

BOAS patients need to be handled safely, calmly, & systematically.

Before we can correct the airway, we have to safely get them through the distress & understand exactly what is blocking their breathing.

Kilo’s journey shows why early recognition & intervention matter.

No dog should have to struggle for air.

Every dog deserves the opportunity to breathe & thrive.