It’s as simple as that. All these things obstruct the airways in brachycephalics that do not occur in normal nosed dogs.
There are many tests and recommendations as to when a dog is suffering from BOAS, with a resultant subjectivity from vet to vet as what constitutes a problem and what doesn’t. Our advice is this:
- These tests and assessments are far too subjective, leaving many dogs suffering mild to moderate concerns that are left untreated.
- The subtle signs these dogs suffer are in fact signs of obstructive airway syndrome, including the following: Snoring, exercise noise, exercise intolerance in warm weather, interrupted sleep, reflux and regurgitation.
- Once a dog has obvious exercise intolerance, loud snoring, loud exercise noise, these dogs have severe and advanced BOAS, regardless of tests.
- If upon examination a dog’s palate is extending unnaturally and significantly into his larynx, long term the pro’s of removing that then, rather than waiting until advanced BOAS exists, is far greater than the small chances of complications.
Hence BOAS is airway restriction causing any of the following:
- Snoring: even mild only in certain positions.
- Regurgitation or reflux is almost always related to restricted airways.
- Exercise noise (the small gurgles and sorts we accept as normal are not, they are signs of BOAS).
- Exercise intolerance. Yes most dogs can charge around like billio for 15 minutes, but most long nose non restricted airway dogs can do so for 30-60 minutes.
- Interrupted sleep.
- Sleeping with their neck or head in a certain position.
In summary, if you are desexing your dog we recommend you do this between 8-12 months and assess airway concerns. In 90% of cases between 2-5 soft tissue concerns will exist that are extremely beneficial to correct for the best long term prognosis.
The main advantages of preventative airway surgery are best summarised in our need versus benefit article.
BOAS stands for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.