This one day blended theory and practical course will review the routine and emergency presentations of BOAS, a condition that is increasingly managed in first opinion practice with a huge welfare impact. Objectively determining the severity of the disease to then make appropriate interventions or advise referral with confidence can be challenging for vets and owners, so this will be explored with worked examples. We will then perform modified folding flap palatoplasty, alarplasty combined with alar wing resection and tonsillectomy. The risks of investigating and treating these conditions can be high and temporary tracheostomy and review of complications will also be a focus for the course.

Topics to be covered 

• Routine and emergency presentation BOAS 
• Complications arising from BOAS surgery 
• Surgical procedures for BOAS 
• Emergency temp trach and postop management 

This course is suitable for :

• Veterinary surgeons keen to develop their recognition of clinical BOAS and determine surgical versus non-surgical candidates 
• Veterinary surgeons wishing to become confident in URT diversion for airway occlusion of the larynx  
• Veterinary surgeons performing BOAS surgery or refining their current procedural practice  

Course Description

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Understand functional grading and the combination of clinical history and examination in determining treatment options for dogs with BOAS.
• Review the surgical procedures available for BOAS and how a tailored application of these to the individual features of an animal is important 
• Practice the surgical procedures most commonly required 
• Recognise the risk associated with these surgical interventions and the preoperative care required
• Practice temporary tracheostomy to manage upper respiratory obstruction and consider when referral may be a better option than immediate intervention