BOAS Surgery Solihull
BOAS Surgery at Rock House Vets, near Solihull
Dogs travelling from Solihull for BOAS surgery can receive dedicated brachycephalic assessment and treatment at Rock House Vets, our independent practice in Wolverhampton. We see Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs and other flat-faced breeds from Solihull, Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge, Dickens Heath and nearby communities. Our experienced team understands how Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) can limit breathing, stamina and day-to-day wellbeing, providing carefully considered surgery, attentive recovery support and clear aftercare at a fair, realistic price.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
We welcome brachycephalic dogs from Solihull, Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge, Dickens Heath and surrounding areas when breathing problems begin to interfere with exercise, sleep, heat tolerance or everyday comfort. Because Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) does not affect every flat-faced dog in the same way, our assessment considers the individual dog rather than breed appearance alone. By looking closely at symptoms, airway changes and quality of life, we can advise whether BOAS surgery is likely to provide a worthwhile and lasting improvement.
What our BOAS surgery involves
For dogs travelling from Solihull for BOAS surgery, careful preparation begins before the operation itself. Every patient is offered an X-ray so we can look for associated problems such as aspiration pneumonia or a hiatal hernia that may influence anaesthesia, surgical planning or recovery. Bringing these checks into the same treatment pathway helps owners from Solihull, Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge and surrounding areas avoid a fragmented approach to care. Surgery is then performed by a veterinary surgeon experienced in brachycephalic breeds and BOAS surgery, with the procedure tailored to the findings from your dog’s individual assessment.
Post-operative monitoring is equally important. Our head nurse closely supervises each BOAS patient as they recover from anaesthesia, paying particular attention to breathing, comfort and early progress. Where extra observation is appropriate, an overnight stay can also be arranged. This can be especially helpful for families travelling back towards Solihull and the wider borough, giving your dog additional time to recover under veterinary supervision before making the journey home.
Concerned About Your Dog’s Breathing?
Book a BOAS assessment with Rock House Vets and find out which treatment options could help improve their comfort.
RFG Grading for French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Pugs
For eligible brachycephalic breeds from Solihull, Rock House Vets offers Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) through the Kennel Club scheme. Assessments are carried out by our Clinical Director Heather, an approved RFG Assessor, and are available for French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs. The grading provides an objective assessment of breathing function, helping owners understand whether airway changes may need further investigation or whether BOAS surgery should be considered.
For families and breeders travelling from Solihull, Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge, Dickens Heath and nearby areas, RFG grading can be particularly useful when noisy breathing, reduced stamina or slower recovery after exercise has gradually become accepted as normal. We strongly recommend grading eligible dogs before breeding, as the result can support more informed breeding choices and contribute to reducing the prevalence and severity of BOAS in future generations.
Why Flat-Faced Dogs Can Develop BOAS
In brachycephalic dogs, the shortened shape of the skull can leave less room for the soft tissues within the nose and throat. When these structures narrow the available airway, dogs may have to work considerably harder to move enough air, particularly during exercise, excitement or warmer conditions. This combination of skeletal shape and restricted airflow is central to how Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) develops, while similar conformational features can also be associated with problems affecting areas such as the spine and tail.
For owners in Solihull the difference can become most noticeable during walks or active play. Persistent snorting, heavy breathing, tiring earlier than expected or taking longer to settle afterwards should not simply be regarded as part of owning a flat-faced breed. Many brachycephalic dogs also have deeper skin folds where warmth, moisture and friction can irritate, making both respiratory health and routine skin care important parts of their wider wellbeing.
Could BOAS Be Limiting Your Dog’s Comfort?
Talk to Rock House Vets about breathing assessment and BOAS care for dogs from Solihull.
BOAS FAQs
What is BOAS in dogs, and when is BOAS surgery needed?
BOAS, or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, can make everyday breathing more difficult for some flat-faced dogs because of the way their shortened skull and airway are formed. Signs may become more noticeable during walks, sleep, warm weather or recovery after excitement. For dogs travelling from Solihull, Rock House Vets assesses how severely these problems are affecting daily life and whether BOAS surgery could provide a meaningful improvement. Our recommendations are based on the individual dog, their symptoms and the likely benefit to breathing, comfort and overall quality of life.
Contact us for BOAS Surgery at our Veterinary Clinic near Solihull
What symptoms can suggest my dog may need BOAS surgery?
BOAS symptoms are not always limited to obvious breathing difficulty. Dogs may snore heavily, breathe noisily while awake, pant excessively or lose stamina sooner than expected on walks. Some become unsettled at night, struggle more in warmer weather, gag or retch after activity, or need longer to recover following play or excitement. In more affected dogs, eating may also become uncomfortable. If your French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug or another flat-faced breed from Solihull is showing these changes, a BOAS assessment can help establish how much their airway is affecting breathing, comfort and normal daily activity.
Which breeds are most affected by BOAS?
French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs are among the breeds most commonly affected by BOAS, although other flat-faced dogs can develop similar airway problems. Because their shortened skull shape reduces the space available through the upper airway, even relatively small areas of narrowing in the nostrils, nasal passages or throat can make breathing less efficient. For dogs from Solihull and surrounding areas, keeping body weight within a healthy range is also an important part of managing respiratory health, as excess weight can increase breathing effort and worsen existing BOAS symptoms.
Can BOAS get worse over time?
Yes. BOAS symptoms can change as a dog gets older, particularly where weight gain or progressive airway changes place additional strain on breathing. What begins as snoring, noisy breathing or heavier panting may gradually affect walks, sleep, heat tolerance and recovery after play. A BOAS assessment for dogs from Solihull allows our team to evaluate how these changes are influencing your dog’s daily comfort and breathing, and whether treatment or BOAS surgery could provide a meaningful improvement.
Are your vets experienced in BOAS assessment and treatment?
At Rock House Vets, brachycephalic experience is combined with a structured, evidence-led approach to BOAS care. Our Clinical Director Heather is an approved RFG Assessor, so Respiratory Function Grading can form part of the wider clinical picture where appropriate. For dogs travelling from Solihull, this gives owners access to a team familiar with recognising meaningful BOAS signs, explaining what those findings mean and deciding whether monitoring, further investigation or BOAS surgery is the most appropriate next step.
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What does BOAS surgery involve?
The aim of BOAS surgery is to reduce airway resistance by correcting the structures that are restricting airflow. Depending on your dog’s anatomy, this can include widening narrow nostrils, shortening an elongated soft palate or treating everted laryngeal saccules and enlarged tonsils. For dogs travelling from Solihull, Rock House Vets also offers pre-operative X-rays to help identify associated problems such as aspiration pneumonia or a hiatal hernia, allowing the surgical approach and recovery planning to be tailored more carefully to the individual patient.
How successful is BOAS surgery?
For many dogs, BOAS surgery can make everyday life noticeably easier, with improvements in breathing, exercise tolerance, sleep quality and recovery after activity. Results differ from one patient to another and are influenced by factors such as airway anatomy, body condition and the severity of BOAS before treatment. For owners travelling from Solihull, our assessment helps explain the likely benefits, any limitations and what a realistic improvement could look like for their individual dog.
What is recovery like after BOAS surgery?
Most dogs need around one to two weeks to recover after BOAS surgery, although the exact timescale depends on the procedures performed and how each patient responds. Early recovery is closely supervised by our nursing team, and an overnight stay is available where further observation would be helpful. Once home, activity should stay gentle while the airway heals, with clear advice provided on feeding, rest and what to watch for. Owners travelling from Solihull can also explore our wider surgical care at Rock House Vets in Wolverhampton.
Do you offer BOAS surgery near Solihull for dogs from the wider West Midlands?
Yes. Although Rock House Vets is based in Wolverhampton, we welcome BOAS patients from Solihull who are looking for experienced brachycephalic assessment and surgery. Dogs travel to us from Solihull town centre, Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge, Dickens Heath, Monkspath, Olton and surrounding parts of the borough for practical, breed-focused BOAS care from a team familiar with the respiratory needs of flat-faced dogs.