Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a collective term for upper airway abnormalities that occur in “brachycephalic” (short-muzzled or “flat-faced”) dogs and cats. These anatomical differences lead to increased airway resistance, breathing difficulty, and associated health problems.
Anatomy:
- Stenotic nares are small nostrils that sometimes also collapse when the dog inhales
- Animals with this condition have an elongated soft palate that obstructs airflow through the larynx
- The larynx (aka the voice box) is a structure in the neck that enables breathing and protects the airway during swallowing
- Some dogs may have a windpipe that is proportionally too narrow, which is referred to as a hypoplastic trachea