BOAS: Diagnosis and Surgery Flashcards
Which breeds (2) with stridor are very likely to have laryngeal collapse and surgeries are likely to be tricky, potentially requiring a temporary tracheostomy tube.
French and English Bulldogs
Looking for a diagnosis starts with asking the relevant questions and clinical signs assessment
What are you looking for in the history? (6)
Audible “noisy” breathing
Exercise intolerance - any difference in summer vs winter?
Sleep disorders - snoring excessively? disturbing at night? excessive day time sleepiness?
Regurgitation or eating disorders
Heat intolerance
Collapse
Clinical signs (6)
Noisy breathing: stertor, stridor
Exercise and heat intolerance
Hyperthermia
Cyanosis and collapse
Regurgitation and vomiting
Flatulence
The regurgitation and vomiting from increased gastro-oesophageal reflux results in?
Oesophagititis
The following tools are also important to achieve and accurate diagnosis? (6)
Respiratory functional grading (see lesson 1)
Oral examination under sedation/GA
Head CT and thoracic radiographs or CT
Examination of the nasopharynx with an endoscope
Fluoroscopy
(Plethysmography - flow volume respiratory traces)
A CT scan of the head will reveal (2)
turbinate morphology
the soft palate thickness
What 2 conditions in brachycephalic is fluroscopy useful for?
hiatal hernia
slow motility
What we have shown is that every increase in body condition score in Pugs equates to ?% increase in the BOAS index obstructive score
6
If your patient is overweight rule out what in older dogs?
endocrinopathies
What GI meds for regurgitators?
1 mg/kg omeprazole, initially once daily up to twice daily
If a dog V+/D+ on omeprazole. What do we do?
Switch to cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine
When to reassess BOAS post surgery?
6-8 weeks
Some dogs (particularly ?) have little response to palate and nostril surgery and may benefit from further surgical intervention.
French Bulldogs
If the animal is a frequent regurgitator; how long to give omeprazole pre op?
5-7 days
What “sign” may a regurgitator show? (other than physical regurg!)
Frequent gulping
What CRI is an option for regurgitators in surgery?
Metoclopramide
How to suspend head in surgery for BOAS (3)
Table arms
Drip stands
BOAS stand
How to tie the head to maximise the space at the back of the pharynx?
Tie the lower jaw and tongue down
How often do RFG grade 1 need surgery? Specify pugs
Dogs rarely require surgery. Some mildly BOAS-affected pugs that have epilepsy seem to show improved seizure control after airway surgery.
How often do RFG grade 2 need surgery? Specify french bulldogs
Dogs that are young and active generally benefit from surgery, particularly French Bulldogs with regurgitation. Older and more sedentary grade 2 dogs may benefit more from initial weight loss, if overweight, or may be monitored if comfortable in a non-stressful home environment.
How often do RFG grade 3 need surgery?
Dogs usually require surgery and marked weight loss for morbidly; obese pugs.
Name 3 complicating risk factors for a dog presenting for BOAS sx?
- Previous BOAS sx
- Emergency presentation
- Inappropriately low temp at admit
Other than omeprazole/metopclopramine. What other meds should be given peri + post op for the BOAS?
Maropitant
Drug of choice for anxious patient?
Trazadone
What is the effect of fat around neck on resp function? (2)
Increased obstruction
Reduced tidal volume
What is the nasoplasty performed with?
No 11 blade
What is used for haemostasis if doing a folding flap palatoplasty. (2)
Sterile cotton bud
bipolar electrosurgery
What equipment is useful for the folding flap palatoplasty?
Loupes with a central light