Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
Project overview
Participants
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Short summary
BOAS is a condition of the upper respiratory tract that affects dog and cat breeds with extreme brachycephaly (snub-nosedness). Affected animals have an obstruction in their airways that makes it difficult for them to breathe. The condition causes suffering and a reduced quality of life.
About this project
BOAS has become increasingly common as snub-nosed dog breeds have become more popular.
BOAS is most common in French and English bulldogs and pugs, but other dog breeds can also be affected. Affected animals suffer from labored breathing, poor stamina, difficulties with temperature regulation, and sleep disorders. Severely affected dogs can develop a life-threatening condition. Cats such as Persians and Exotics have problems with narrow nostrils, narrow tear ducts, eyelid problems, and hydrocephalus. Surgical procedures can be performed to improve breathing in affected animals, but surgery is rarely a complete cure, which means that animals may continue to suffer lifelong problems. The BOAS research group at SLU has several published and ongoing studies that map BOAS in dogs and cats.
Aims
The aim of the research project is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of dogs and cats affected by BOAS, increase knowledge exchange between research groups, and spread awareness of brachycephalic-related health problems to the general public. The research group hopes that, in the long term, the research project will contribute to more effective treatment of BOAS and preventive measures that will reduce the incidence of BOAS in affected breeds.
Collaborations
Research on BOAS is being conducted at SLU in collaboration between the Department of Clinical Sciences (KV) and the Department of Animal Biosciences (HBIO).
The project is made possible by generous research grants from the Swedish Association for the Protection of Animals (Svenska Djurskyddsföreningen). Other partners include Chalmers University of Technology, Agria, and the Swedish Kennel Club.