Improved Vomiting & Regurgitation Archives

Rocco’s Story

This example is extremely important for all brachycephalic owners as well as veterinarians to take into consideration. Initial surgeons did a basic surgery, nares opening and palate shortening, citing absolutely nothing else could be done upon a poor initial result. Sent to another specialist, they disagreed suggesting the saccules and tonsils should be removed, the nares opened wider than the first surgery, and the palate shortened a lot more and also thinned. This demonstrates the importance of understanding the meaning or a pro-active 5/5 surgeon as opposed to a surgeon that may do all 5 aspects only if really necessary (often synonymous with the fact the don’t really do them). Our own clinic does many revision assessments demonstrating the same problem, a difference of opinion of what does and does not need to be done.

Maxi’s Airway Surgery

Maxi was left very late for airway correction at almost 4 years, but still had huge improvements in vomiting, from almost daily to 90% reduced. Maxi also had huge improvements in energy levels. But he also has stage 2 laryngeal collapse, a narrowing of the larynx that can never be fixed. Fortunately, 5/5 surgery gives the best chance of stopping this progression to stage 3, which is critical. Maxi spent 4 years regurgitating and having significantly less exercise than he could have had as these signs were considered “normal “for a bulldog.

The Two Frenchies Winston and Rylie

Specialists had worked on Winston’s vomiting for 6 months without result before he came to see us. Post BOAS surgery the vomiting was 95% improved. Snoring and exercise noise were also significantlyreduced, and exercise tolerance massively improved. This is a classic example of our recommendations not to bother working up vomiting unless still of concern after airway correction, as it’s almost always related to restricted airways.

Henri’s Story

Henri is a classic story of across the board improvement in snoring, exercise tolerance and, as we find in so many cases, vomiting. Reduced from weekly to virtually nothing.

Maggie the Aussie Bulldog

Across the board improvement in snoring, exercise tolerance and especially vomiting, from two times weekly to almost nothing and a doubling of exercise ability, Maggie was left very late in life at 3 years of age rather than 12 months, so was lucky to get such a result.

Marley the Frenchie’s Story

Marley had early BOAS surgery with little response, then spent a year at specialists trying to work up why he was vomiting. A typical case of why we start by keeping everything simple, Marley had only had 2/5 airway correction, hence we started with a revision 5/5 surgery. He needed all 5 aspects done (and re done) and his improvements across the board were dramatic (including vomiting). His case highlights the option of just doing appropriate 5/5 airway correction before spending 12 months in and out of specialists doing exhaustive tests to try to work out what’s going on.

Harli the Frenchie’s Revision Surgery

Similar to Marley, Harley had unsuccessful BOAS surgery at a specialists at about two years of age. Revising her palate via further shortening and thinning and deepening the nares, the improvements were significant. Hence revision assessment always remains an option if initial surgery has not given a good result.

Trevor the Two Year Old Frenchie

With surgery performed at two years of age, Trevor had massive improvements in vomiting. He also enjoyed full nights sleep with no more restlessness, with virtually no snoring and huge improvements in exercise.

Woody The Boston Terrier

At six years of age, Woody’s improvement was significant with a much healthier, more enjoyable life. To the owners dismay she realised Woody had lived six years far more uncomfortable that he needed to.

Clyde The French Bulldog BOAS Surgery

At five years of age before doing airway correction, Clyde was lucky to get such a huge improvement. But no longer vomiting and with a huge improvement in exercise ability, his life is massively improved. The saddest thing is the five unnecessary years of vomiting, not enjoying toys and restricted exercise that he need not have endured had airway corection been done at 12 months of age. It’s never too late, but ideally consider preventative surgery, no reactionary.