Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition affecting dogs. It encompasses a range of anatomical abnormalities in the upper airways, resulting in breathing difficulties and subsequent exercise and heat intolerance. It is a progressive disorder, which means it gets worse over time.
The primary method of treatment is surgery.
Follow the button below to view information handouts on some of our BOAS procedures!
Follow the button below to view some of our BOAS patient success stories!
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Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a condition affecting flat-faced breeds, where anatomical abnormalities in the upper airway can lead to breathing difficulties, exercise intolerance, and heat sensitivity.
Common anatomical abnormalities include:
Surgical intervention is the gold standard for treating BOAS.
At North Richmond Vet Hospital, we offer:
What About Laser Turbinate Surgery?
Laser-assisted turbinectomy (LATE) targets abnormal internal nasal structures. While this may benefit select dogs, it requires:
We do not offer this procedure at North Richmond. However, a study (Seneviratne et al., 2020) showed that 70% of dogs improved with traditional surgeries alone. Laser surgery is best considered in dogs that continue to struggle after initial surgical correction.
BOAS is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical examination and anaesthesia-assisted internal evaluation.
To minimise anaesthetic risk, we perform diagnosis and corrective surgery during the same procedure whenever possible.
Breathing difficulties should never be considered "normal for the breed."
Common clinical signs include:
Dr Michelle has been treating brachycephalic dogs for over 20 years now. She has developed extensive experience and understanding in the specific conditions these special dogs have as well as the best treatment options.
If you have a bracycephalic dog that is showing breathing or other related problems, make an appointment to speak with Dr Michelle and she can discuss the treatment options available.
If your animal is showing signs of BOAS, don’t wait. Early surgical intervention can improve comfort, prevent complications, and even save their life.
📞 Call (02) 4571 2042 or email info@northrichmondvet.com.au to book a consultation today.
We focus on proactive, preventative care, e.g. tailored vaccination schedules, internal and external parasite control, routine health checks, dental care, and nutritional advice - in order to keep your pet healthy
We perform a wide range of soft tissue surgeries for cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and ferrets etc.
These procedures include lump removals, wound repairs, desexing, bladder stone removal, and gastrointestinal surgery.
Our team is experienced in performing orthopaedic surgery in small animals, such as cruciate ligament repairs, fracture fixation, and joint stabilisation etc. We aim to restore comfort and function so your pet can move with ease again.
We diagnose and treat BOAS in both dogs and cats, particularly in flat-faced breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Persians.
Our surgical treatments aim to improve breathing by a combination of surgical techniques
Our team excels in diagnosing and managing complicated medical conditions that affect oragns like kidneys, liver, the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system etc.
Blood tests, imaging (x-ray or ultrasound), CT, endoscopy and flurscopy are available.
Our hospital is equipped with digital X-ray, ultrasound, CT scanning, and fluoroscopy, allowing us to examine internal structures in detail. These tools help us diagnose a wide range of conditions, from fractures and organ issues to gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders
We provide ophthalmology services, including diagnosis and treatment of conditions e.g. cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, dry eye, and eyelid abnormalities.
We provide specialised reproductive services for dogs, including semen analysis, artificial insemination (AI), pregnancy diagnosis, and elective or emergency caesareans.
With experience in reptile husbandry and medicine, our team can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, from nutritional and metabolic disorders to respiratory infections and injuries.
We also provide routine health checks, parasite control, and surgical services.
Small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rats have unique health needs.
We offer tailored veterinary care including health checks, dental treatment, desexing, and surgery - delivered with the expertise and compassion these special pets deserve.
We offer care for pet birds, from budgies to parrots to chickens, including health checks, beak and nail trims, diagnostics, and treatment of common illnesses.
Our team understands the unique anatomy and needs of avian species.
Managing chronic pain e.g. osteoarthritis, IVDD, chronic ear infections, degenerative joint disease, and old injuries etc. is key to maintaining your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
Our goal is to reduce discomfort and keep your pet active and happy at every stage of life
From anxiety to aggression, behavioural issues can impact your pet’s wellbeing and your bond with them. We provide behavioural medicine services to help identify the root cause and create tailored treatment plans
While we currently offer limited services for large animals, we are actively working on expanding our capabilities in this area. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care for small ruminants and other livestock in the near future.
Stay tuned as we grow our services to better support the needs of our wider animal community.
For our existing clients, we offer emergency after hour consultations and surgeries if needed.
