Bulldog Patients
Why French Bulldog Owners Trust Floresta Animal Hospital
At Floresta Animal Hospital in Boynton Beach, Dr. Jean Burns, DVM, brings years of experience caring for flat faced breeds, including French Bulldogs with airway concerns. Our hospital team provides safe anesthesia, careful monitoring, and surgical care tailored to the unique needs of flat-faced dogs. We understand how important your flat faced pet is to your family. Our team combines medical expertise with compassionate, personalized care to help your pet breathe easier, feel better, and enjoy a more active, comfortable life. If your Bulldog snores loudly, tires easily, struggles in the heat, or has difficulty breathing, ask us if BOAS surgery may improve their comfort and quality of life. Contact Floresta Animal Hospital in Boynton Beach to learn how we serve French Bulldog families throughout Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, and surrounding South Florida communities.
What Does Brachycephalic Mean?
The term “brachycephalic” is derived from the Greek words “brachy,” meaning shortened, and “cephalic,” meaning head. Brachycephalic dogs are characterized by skull bones that are shortened in length, resulting in a distinctively pushed-in appearance of the face and nose. This alteration in skull shape affects the anatomy of the upper airway and the relationships among various soft tissue structures, which can lead to physical health issues for the affected dogs.
Common brachycephalic breeds include:
- French Bulldogs
- English Bulldogs
- Boxer Dogs
- Boston Terriers
- Pekingese
- Chinese Shar-Pei
- Pugs
- Lhasa Apsos
- Shih Tzus
- Bull Mastiffs
BOAS Surgery for French Bulldogs in Boynton Beach & Palm Beach County
What Is BOAS?
BOAS stands for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. It refers to breathing problems caused by a shortened skull and a compressed airway in flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers.
In French Bulldogs, BOAS is often caused by narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and excess airway tissue. These issues make it harder for air to move freely, forcing your dog to work harder to breathe, especially during activity, warm weather, stress, or sleep.
Helping Frenchies Breathe Easier, Sleep Better & Live More Comfortably
French Bulldogs are beloved for their playful personalities, affectionate nature, and flat faces, but their anatomy can make breathing difficult. BOAS, or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, is a common condition causing noisy breathing, snoring, exercise intolerance, overheating, and ongoing respiratory discomfort.
At Floresta Animal Hospital in Boynton Beach, serving pets throughout Palm Beach County, Dr. Jean Burns performs specialized BOAS corrective procedures to improve airflow and help French Bulldogs breathe more comfortably. With proper diagnosis, surgery, and recovery support, many Frenchies experience quieter breathing, better sleep, and improved quality of life.
Common Signs of BOAS in French Bulldogs
French Bulldog owners may notice signs of BOAS early in life, though symptoms often become more noticeable over time. Common signs include:
- Loud snoring, snorting, or noisy breathing
- Open-mouth breathing or frequent panting
- Quick fatigue or difficulty exercising
- Gagging, regurgitation, or coughing after eating
- Overheating, especially in South Florida’s warm climate
- Restless sleep or unusual sleeping positions
- Difficulty calming down after excitement or activity
While some breathing noise is considered “normal” for French Bulldogs, excessive respiratory effort should not be ignored. BOAS affects your dog’s comfort, safety, and health over time.
How BOAS Surgery Helps
BOAS corrective surgery opens the airway and reduces obstructions that makes breathing difficult. Depending on your dog’s anatomy, surgery may widen the nostrils, shorten the soft palate, and remove excess tissue interfering with airflow.
Common BOAS procedures may include nasal vestibuloplasty, soft palate resection, and sacculotomy. By improving airflow, surgery can reduce respiratory strain and help your French Bulldog breathe more easily during rest, play, and daily activity.
Nasal Vestibuloplasty
Widening the entrance to each nostril to alleviate restrictions that hinder airflow. This procedure aims to create a more open passage for breathing.
Tissue Reduction
Removal of excessive nasal tissue within each nostril. This step helps to eliminate any tissue buildup that may contribute to airway obstruction.
Video of a staphlectomy (repair of an elongated soft palate) pre surgery and post operatively
Pre
Post
Video credit Dr. Jose Gorostiza
What Results Can French Bulldog Owners Expect?
Many French Bulldog owners notice improvement within days to weeks after surgery. Results include quieter breathing, less snoring, improved exercise tolerance, and higher energy levels.
For Frenchies in South Florida and Palm Beach County, improved airflow is especially important due to the warm, humid climate. Better breathing also reduces the risk of overheating and makes everyday activities more enjoyable.
BOAS Surgery Recovery
Most BOAS patients go home the same or next day. Full recovery typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
During recovery, your dog will need restricted activity, close monitoring, medication, and follow-up care to ensure proper healing. Our team provides detailed post-operative instructions and supports you through every step.
BOAS Surgery FAQs
BOAS, or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, is a breathing condition common in flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs. It occurs when anatomical features such as narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, or excess airway tissue make it harder for your dog to breathe comfortably.
Common signs of BOAS include loud snoring, noisy breathing, constant panting, difficulty exercising, gagging, regurgitation, overheating, restless sleep, and, in more serious cases, blue-tinged gums or collapse. If your Frenchie is showing any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an evaluation.
Many French Bulldogs benefit from BOAS surgery between 6 and 18 months of age, but every dog is different. BOAS surgery has been successfully performed on dogs well into their golden years. Dr. Jean Burns will evaluate your dog’s breathing, anatomy, symptoms, and health to determine the best timing. Early intervention is always recommended and can often prevent symptoms from worsening.
BOAS surgery can be performed safely by an experienced veterinary team using careful anesthesia protocols and close monitoring. At Floresta Animal Hospital, we perform thorough pre-surgical evaluations and tailor anesthesia and surgical care to the unique needs of brachycephalic breeds.
The cost of BOAS surgery depends on your dog’s anatomy and the procedures required. After an examination, our team provides a personalized treatment plan and estimate. For many French Bulldog owners, improved breathing, comfort, and quality of life make BOAS correction a valuable investment in their pet’s long-term health.
Most dogs go home the same or the next day. Full recovery typically takes up to a week. During this time, activity should be restricted, medications should be given as directed, and follow-up visits should be scheduled to monitor healing.
Yes. BOAS surgery is designed to improve breathing function while preserving your dog’s natural appearance. Your Frenchie will still look like the same adorable companion you love — just with improved airflow and greater comfort.
Yes. Floresta Animal Hospital welcomes French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and brachycephalic breeds from throughout Palm Beach County, the surrounding South Florida communities and from multiple other states.
Floresta Animal Hospital combines surgical experience, attentive anesthesia monitoring, modern equipment, and compassionate care tailored to flat-faced breeds. The doctor to patient ratio is two doctors and support staff for each patient. Dr. Jean Burns has experience helping French Bulldogs breathe easier and live more comfortably in Florida’s warm, humid climate.
Yes. Improved airflow helps French Bulldogs breathe more efficiently and regulate their body temperature more effectively. This is especially important in South Florida, where heat and humidity worsen breathing challenges for brachycephalic dogs.
To schedule a BOAS evaluation for your French Bulldog, call Floresta Animal Hospital at (561) 734-3600 or use our online contact form. New patients are welcome.
Yes. Before surgery, keep your French Bulldog at a healthy weight, avoid heat and overexertion, use a harness instead of a neck collar, and monitor breathing closely. During your consultation, our team will provide personalized guidance based on your dog’s condition.