General FAQs not specific to a topic, category, or tag.
Calgary’s PetDerm internal medicine vet is a board-certified Veterinary Internist. They complete an additional 4 years of dermatology or internal medicine residency before they become board-certified. The residency program involves extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical diagnosis, research, and more. A board-certified veterinarian dedicates at least 10 years to education and residency, similar to a doctor in human […]
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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 […]
The RFGS is a standardized way to measure how well a brachycephalic dog can breathe. It was developed by experts at the University of Cambridge to provide a consistent, objective way to diagnose BOAS and determine how severe it is. It helps identify dogs who need treatment before they reach a crisis stage.
The RFGS includes two main parts: Listening to breathing at restThe veterinarian listens for signs like snoring, wheezing, stridor (high-pitched breathing), or excessive panting. A short, controlled exercise testYour dog walks or trots on a lead for a few minutes (usually around 3 minutes).After the walk, the veterinarian evaluates your dog’s breathing again — checking […]
After surgery, rest and limited activity are essential. Monitor your pet’s breathing, attend follow-up visits, and follow all post-operative care instructions. Dogs often experience less pain and recover faster after laser surgery. Post-surgery Phovia Treatment may be offered to further expedite safe, bacteria-free healing.
Only Grade 0 dogs are considered BOAS-negative. Grades 1–3 are BOAS-positive with increasing severity.
In North America, there are common breeds that have a higher incidence of BOAS due to exterme brachycephalic anatomy: French Bulldog English Bulldog Pug Boston Terrier Pekingese Shih Tzu These breeds can experience BOAS if their individual conformation is more extreme (i.e short muzzle, narrower nostrils, and elongated soft palate): Boxer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel […]
Your family veterinarian may start by gathering a detailed history about your dog’s breathing habits – snoring, snorting, tiring quickly, heat intolerance, regurgitation, or noisy breathing. They will perform a full physical exam. If BOAS is suspected, ask your family veterinarian to refer your pet to PetDerm. Dr. Becky Valentine does a detailed assessment using […]
Even after successful surgery, long-term care is vital. Maintain a healthy weight, avoid overheating, encourage hydration, and engage in gentle exercise. These steps help prevent recurrence and support lasting respiratory health.
Over time, BOAS can lead to other health issues as a dog is working much harder to move air. Some conditions may appear alongside BOAS: Weakening of the voice box (laryngeal collapse) – When a dog struggles to breathe for a long time, the cartilage in the throat can weaken and start to collapse inward, […]
Common symptoms include loud snoring or breathing, exercise intolerance, gagging or coughing, cyanosis (bluish tongue or lips), and heat intolerance. Recognizing these signs early is crucial as untreated BOAS can progress to severe respiratory distress in up to 40% of cases.
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where a tiny camera is inserted into your pet’s digestive or respiratory tract to see inside and take tissue samples (biopsies) if needed.
Endoscopy helps veterinary internists diagnose causes of vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, coughing, or difficulty swallowing. It’s often used to identify inflammation, infections, or foreign objects.
Yes. Endoscopy is generally very safe. It avoids the need for major invasive surgery and usually involves light sedation.
Endoscopy is a less invasive procedure, has a faster recovery time, causes less discomfort, and reduces the risk of complications compared to open surgery.
Most pets can go home the same day, though the PetDerm team may recommend a short observation period depending on their health and the procedure performed.
Visual findings are often available immediately. If biopsies are taken, results typically come back in a few days. PetDerm’s veterinary internist will discuss the samples and testing timelines with you prior to the procedure.
Yes. Veterinary X-rays use very low radiation levels, and exposure is kept to the minimum necessary to get a clear image.
Usually, no special preparation is needed. The PetDerm team will let you know if fasting is required if sedation is planned for. A team member will discuss this with you when booking the diagnostic procedure.
Most X-rays are quick—often just a few minutes. It may take longer if multiple views are needed or if your pet requires sedation.
Images will be reviewed by a veterinary radiologist for a more detailed report and PetDerm’s veterinary internist will follow up with you.
Yes. When indicated, we can perform ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirates (FNA) or biopsies to obtain tissue or cell samples for further diagnostic testing. Cytology involves collecting cells using a fine needle and examining them under a microscope. This is minimally invasive and provides rapid preliminary information about the nature of a mass or organ change—whether […]
Preliminary findings are often discussed the same day, with a detailed interpretation provided shortly thereafter by our board-certified veterinary radiologist.
Most ultrasounds take 30–60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case and whether additional procedures (such as fine needle aspirates) are needed.