Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) remains one of the most significant welfare challenges encountered in first-opinion practice, yet many affected dogs are still not identified, assessed or offered treatment. This session explores the role of the general practitioner in recognising BOAS during routine consultations and advocating for improved patient welfare through contextualised care. Using practical case examples, delegates will learn how to objectively assess respiratory function using nostril grading, exercise tolerance testing and respiratory functional grading, and how these tools can be incorporated into everyday practice. The lecture will review the prevalence and heritability of BOAS, discuss indications for surgical intervention, and address common owner concerns regarding risk, cost and expected outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to identify affected dogs earlier, communicate effectively with owners, and make evidence-based recommendations that improve respiratory health and welfare in brachycephalic breeds.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Recognise the clinical signs and conformational features associated with BOAS in commonly affected brachycephalic breeds during routine first-opinion consultations.
2. Apply respiratory functional grading and exercise tolerance testing protocols to objectively assess BOAS severity in general practice patients.
3. Evaluate the benefits, limitations and risks of surgical intervention for dogs with BOAS, including considerations around case selection, diagnostics and perioperative management.
4. Formulate practical, evidence-based recommendations for owners regarding BOAS assessment, monitoring and treatment options within the framework of contextualised care.
5. Advocate for improved respiratory health and welfare in brachycephalic dogs by integrating BOAS screening and discussion into routine preventative healthcare consultations.
6. Compare the management approach to BOAS with other common hereditary diseases encountered in primary care practice, to support consistent welfare-focused clinical recommendations.