We offer surgical consultations for brachycephalic breeds with breathing difficulties. These involve physical examination, and respiratory observation before and after physical activity. Dr. Jeremy may then recommend diagnostic imaging such as an endoscopy and radiographs, with a view to surgically correct or improve the airways.

Breathing issues are an everyday struggle, that can heavily impact quality of life. If your pet has difficulty breathing or tires after minimal physical activity, give us a call on (08) 9401 2292.

BRACHYCEPHALIC OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY SYNDROME

RADIOLOGY & ENDOSCOPY

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

We use imaging techniques to help us in diagnosing the underlying cause of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.

We use Radiology to determine whether or not there is any degree of laryngeal collapse, as well as other abnormalities such as a hypoplastic trachea.

We use Video Endoscopy to visualise the airway, to determine how much soft palate needs to be excised, and whether or not the laryngeal saccules will need to be removed.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Once imaging techniques have been performed, Dr. Jeremy will determine the clinically significant findings, and based on your dog's overall health and the extent of the breathing difficulties, will provide you with a surgical treatment plan. It will consist of at least one of the following procedures, however depending on the amount and extent of the obstructions, he may suggest combining up to all of the following during the one surgery:

ALARPLASTY

An Alarplasty, is a surgical procedure in which a small piece of each nostril is removed, creating a wider nasal passage, thus enabling increased airflow.

STAPHYLECTOMY

A Staphylectomy or Soft Palate Ressection, is a surgical procedure in which a partial amount the elongated soft palate, located at the back of the throat, is removed using Electrosurgery techniques. This is performed in order to remove tissue that is obstructing the airway.

LARYNGEAL SACCULECTOMY

Everted Laryngeal Saccules are a condition in brachycephalic breeds where these soft tissue masses protrude into the airway, and can indicate the first stages of laryngeal collapse. This is a fairly short procedure, and is often combined with a Staphylectomy.

FOLDED FLAP PALATOPLASTY

We have introduced our new and improved surgical correction of the soft palate, called a Folded Flap Palatoplasty.

Due to their shorter faces, there are many issues that can affect their breathing, one of these being the soft palate tissue at the back of the throat being elongated, which can obstruct the airway. In many of these cases, the soft palate is not only too long, but also too thick.

Our current technique for treatment of the elongated soft palate involves resection of the overlong part. Our new technique, the Folded Flap Palatoplasty works by also achieving a marked reduction of the soft palate thickness, allowing the opening up of the airway even further