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Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) Surgery in Downtown Omaha

If your Pug, French Bulldog, or English Bulldog struggles to breathe—with chronic snoring, gagging, or collapsing during excitement or heat—they may have BOAS. This isn’t just a quirky breed trait; it’s a serious, progressive medical condition that chokes their airway and severely impacts their quality of life.

At Lone Tree Animal Care Center, we specialize in advanced BOAS corrective surgery in Downtown Omaha. We use state-of-the-art surgical laser technology to address the anatomical issues that are making life a struggle for your flat-faced friend.

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What Causes BOAS? Understanding the Airway Obstruction

The “pushed-in” look of brachycephalic breeds means they have normal amounts of soft tissue packed into a shortened skull structure. This overcrowding leads to several life-limiting abnormalities, the most significant of which is an elongated soft palate.

In a healthy dog, the soft palate is the tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth that ends cleanly, allowing air to flow freely into the windpipe (trachea).

  • In a Normal-Snout Dog (Dolichocephalic): The soft palate is the correct length and ends well above the opening to the larynx (voice box), as seen on an X-ray. There is a clear, open passage for air.

  • In a Flat-Faced Dog (Brachycephalic): The soft palate is too long for the short skull. On an X-ray, you can see the excess tissue extending far down into the back of the throat, partially blocking the laryngeal opening. This obstruction is the source of all that noisy, labored breathing.

This chronic struggle creates negative pressure in the throat, which worsens the problem over time by causing secondary issues like everted laryngeal saccules (tissue pockets that get sucked into the airway).

Our Advanced Surgical Solution in Omaha

We don’t just treat the symptoms; we correct the anatomy. Our specialized procedure focuses on the main components of BOAS:

  1. Soft Palate Resection (Staphylectomy): We use a surgical laser to precisely trim the excess length of the soft palate. This clears the entrance to the windpipe, drastically reducing obstruction. The laser minimizes bleeding and swelling, which is critical for a safe airway surgery and leads to a much faster recovery.

  2. Stenotic Nares Correction: We surgically widen the pinched or narrowed nostrils, allowing your dog to take in significantly more air through their nose. This is often done at the same time as the soft palate correction.

  3. Laryngeal Saccule Removal: If secondary tissue is blocking the airway, we remove it to ensure a clear path for breathing.

Give Your Dog the Gift of an Easy Breath

Early surgical correction is key to preventing the secondary, more severe problems that develop over time. It can give your dog the ability to:

  • Exercise and Play: They can enjoy walks without quickly tiring.

  • Regulate Temperature: They can pant effectively to stay cool, reducing the risk of heatstroke.

  • Sleep Peacefully: Less snoring and interrupted sleep for them—and for you.

If your pet is showing any signs of BOAS, contact us for a consultation. We provide expert BOAS diagnosis and treatment to French Bulldogs, Pugs, and other short-nosed breeds right here in Downtown Omaha.

Call or text us today at 402-389-3356 or click below to schedule your appointment.