Understanding BOAS in Dogs for Local Owners

Quick Answer: BOAS, or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, is a breathing problem seen in flat-faced dogs such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs. It happens because the shape of the nose, throat and airways can make breathing harder. Early assessment, weight control, sensible exercise and veterinary advice can all help affected dogs live more comfortably.

Introduction

Flat-faced dogs are popular family pets across Blackheath, Greenwich and South East London, and many owners are surprised to learn that noisy breathing is not always “normal for the breed”. At Blackheath Vets we regularly help owners understand whether snorting, snoring, exercise intolerance or overheating may be linked to BOAS.

BOAS stands for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. In simple terms, it means a flat-faced dog’s airway is partly obstructed, making it harder to move air in and out efficiently. This can affect day-to-day comfort, sleep, exercise and heat tolerance. Our veterinary team often advises local pet owners that recognising the early signs matters, because timely support can improve quality of life and help owners make informed decisions about care.

If you are concerned about your dog’s breathing, a consultation or health check with our veterinary team is a sensible starting point. We also offer a dedicated BOAS Grading Clinic for dogs that may benefit from a more structured assessment.

What is BOAS?

BOAS is a condition affecting brachycephalic dogs. “Brachycephalic” simply means short-headed or flat-faced. Commonly affected breeds include:

• French Bulldogs
• Pugs
• English Bulldogs
• Boston Terriers
• Shih Tzus
• Boxers

These breeds can have narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, a relatively crowded throat, and other airway changes linked to skull shape. Not every flat-faced dog has severe breathing difficulty, but many have some degree of airway compromise.

In our experience supporting pets across Blackheath and South East London, owners often notice signs gradually and may not realise their dog is struggling more than it should.

Common signs of BOAS in dogs

BOAS can look different from dog to dog. Some signs are mild, while others affect normal daily activities. Symptoms owners may notice include:

• Noisy breathing when awake
• Snoring or disturbed sleep
• Snorting, gagging or retching
• Poor tolerance of exercise
• Getting out of breath quickly on walks
• Overheating in warm weather
• Breathing with more effort after excitement or play
• Difficulty recovering after exercise
• Occasional collapse in more severe cases

At Blackheath Vets we commonly see dogs whose owners assumed these signs were simply part of having a flat-faced breed. While some mild noise may be familiar in these breeds, regular respiratory effort should not be ignored.

Why BOAS matters

Breathing comfortably is important for every aspect of a dog’s wellbeing. Dogs also rely on breathing and panting to cool themselves. That means BOAS can affect much more than exercise alone.

A dog with BOAS may find hot weather, stress, travel, vigorous play or even a short walk more difficult than expected. Some dogs also struggle with sleep quality because the airway becomes more obstructed when relaxed.

Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps owners understand that managing BOAS is not about stopping a dog from enjoying life. It is about making everyday life safer, more comfortable and better suited to that individual dog’s needs.

How BOAS is assessed

If we are concerned about BOAS, we begin with a clinical examination and a discussion about your dog’s breathing at home, exercise levels, sleep, noise and recovery after activity. We may recommend a structured assessment through our BOAS Grading Clinic at Blackheath Vets.

BOAS grading helps us assess how much the airway is affecting your dog. This can be useful for:

• Dogs showing signs of breathing difficulty
• Young dogs before signs become more obvious
• Owners wanting a clearer picture of severity
• Breeding and lifestyle discussions
• Monitoring changes over time

If treatment is needed, we can also advise on appropriate next steps. As part of our wider veterinary services, we provide comprehensive medical and surgical care, including advanced surgery and medicine and, where appropriate, keyhole surgery.

What treatment might involve

Treatment depends on how severely your dog is affected. Not every dog needs surgery, but every dog with suspected BOAS benefits from careful management and veterinary guidance.

Conservative management

For mild cases, advice may include:

• Keeping your dog at a healthy body weight
• Using a harness instead of a collar if advised
• Avoiding exercise in hot or humid weather
• Keeping activity gentle and well paced
• Reducing stress and overheating risks
• Regular monitoring with your vet

Many local pet owners find it helpful to build preventative care into their routine. Our preventative healthcare support and VIP Health Plan can help owners keep up with regular checks and ongoing care.

Surgical treatment

Some dogs benefit from surgery to improve airflow, for example by widening narrowed nostrils or shortening excess soft palate tissue. Surgery is only recommended after proper assessment and discussion of the likely benefits for your dog.

At Blackheath Vets, we are committed to high-quality veterinary care with a personal approach, and we talk owners through options carefully and realistically. If you would like advice about whether your dog should be assessed, you can book an appointment online.

What We Commonly See at Blackheath Vets

One of the most common concerns we hear from local pet owners is, “My dog has always snored loudly, is that just normal?” A common misunderstanding is that all noisy breathing in flat-faced dogs is harmless. In reality, some dogs are coping well, while others are working much harder to breathe than owners realise.

We regularly help owners who notice their dog:

• Struggles more in warm weather than other dogs
• Stops frequently on walks
• Makes harsh breathing noises after excitement
• Seems exhausted after short bursts of play
• Has disturbed sleep or snores heavily

Many local pet owners ask us whether puppies can have BOAS. The answer is yes, signs can begin early, although severity varies. This is one reason we encourage routine checks throughout life. Our experienced veterinary team supports pets across Blackheath, Greenwich and South East London, and we often find early conversations are the most helpful ones.

Another practical point we commonly discuss is weight. Even a small amount of excess body fat can make breathing more difficult for flat-faced dogs. Owners are often relieved to learn that simple changes such as weight management, better heat avoidance and tailored exercise can make a meaningful difference. If you have a young dog, our free puppy health check offer may also be a useful starting point for discussing breathing and breed-related concerns.

Practical Advice

If your dog is flat-faced or has already been diagnosed with BOAS, these practical steps can help day to day:

1. Keep your dog slim. Extra weight increases the effort of breathing.
2. Walk during cooler parts of the day, especially in summer.
3. Use a harness if your vet recommends one, rather than pressure around the neck.
4. Avoid intense exercise, particularly in heat or high humidity.
5. Allow frequent rest breaks on walks.
6. Watch for changes over time rather than relying on what has “always been normal”.
7. Arrange regular check-ups as part of your dog’s routine care.

Our veterinary team often advises owners to plan ahead in warmer months, as heat can worsen symptoms quickly. If you are unsure whether your dog’s breathing is within a normal range, it is always reasonable to speak to our local veterinary team or register your pet with Blackheath Vets if you are new to the area.

When To Contact A Vet

You should contact a vet if your dog:

• Has noisy breathing that seems to be getting worse
• Becomes breathless after light activity
• Struggles in warm weather
• Has disturbed sleep due to breathing noise
• Gags, retches or seems distressed after exercise
• Has reduced ability to cope with normal walks

Urgent veterinary advice is needed if your dog is open-mouth breathing heavily at rest, seems distressed, turns blue or grey around the gums, collapses, or cannot settle because of breathing difficulty.

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has eaten something toxic, or is in severe pain, contact a vet immediately.

For urgent help, please refer to our 24-hour emergency vetcare information. If the concern is not urgent but you would like your dog assessed, you can also arrange a consultation online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is snoring normal in flat-faced dogs?

Snoring is common in brachycephalic breeds, but it should not automatically be dismissed. Heavy snoring, disturbed sleep or noisy breathing when awake can suggest airway obstruction and should be discussed with a vet.

Can BOAS get worse with age?

It can do. Weight gain, reduced fitness, warm weather, stress and progressive airway strain may all make signs more noticeable over time.

Does every flat-faced dog need surgery?

No. Some dogs can be managed with monitoring, weight control and lifestyle adjustments. Others benefit from surgery. The right approach depends on the individual dog and the severity of signs.

Are French Bulldogs and Pugs especially affected?

Yes, these breeds are commonly affected, although Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds can also develop BOAS.

How do I know if my dog needs a BOAS assessment?

If your dog snores heavily, struggles with exercise, overheats easily, breathes noisily when awake or seems slow to recover after activity, it is sensible to ask about a BOAS assessment. Our BOAS Grading Clinic can help provide a clearer picture.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general guidance only. If your pet is unwell, showing concerning symptoms, or you are unsure what to do, please contact your vet for professional advice.

Support for your dog from our local veterinary team

If you are worried about breathing issues in your dog, we are here to help. At Blackheath Vets, we support pets through every stage of life with personal, practical and experienced care across Blackheath, Greenwich and South East London.

You can book an appointment with Blackheath Vets, register your pet with our practice, explore our approach to veterinary care, or use our find us page if you are looking for a trusted vet in South East London. If your dog would benefit from ongoing routine care, you can also ask us about our Dog VIP Plan.