Effects of Local Anaesthetics During BOAS Surgery

The VSS team comprises highly trained veterinarians who have done extensive study in their given fields to become Specialists. We are constantly striving to practice the highest possible quality medicine to achieve the best results for our patients. In order to be at the forefront of veterinary research, we are currently undertaking a randomised controlled trial to determine the effects of local anaesthetics during Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) surgery.

What is BOAS surgery?

This is a term given to a number of different procedures that our surgical team perform on flat-faced dogs (brachycephalic dogs) such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and British Bulldogs, in order to improve their ability to breathe. This procedure is commonly performed at all three of our VSS sites and involves the hard work of our surgical and intensive care teams to ensure good patient outcomes.

The study was designed in conjunction with Dr James King and Dr Tania Banks, two of our surgical specialists who are actively involved in teaching general practitioner veterinarians how to best look after brachycephalic dogs and perform this life-changing surgery.

The results of this study may change the way we manage flat-faced dogs undergoing this procedure, leading to improvements in their comfort, while in hospital and during their recovery.

We hope other veterinarians will get involved in this research so that we can find out the best way to look after our favourite flat-faced friends in the future! Look out for this when you next take your dog in for consultation with one of our friendly surgeons.