Why is the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS) important?
It’s easy to assume snoring or noisy breathing is “normal” for short-nosed dogs, and BOAS is often missed until it becomes advanced. The RFGS provides:
- An objective way to classify breathing ability
- Early detection of airway obstruction
- A clear guide for whether surgery would help
- A baseline to track improvement after treatment
Clinics using RFGS can confidently determine whether a dog would benefit from procedures like laser BOAS surgery, and how urgently.