BOAS Surgery Cost UK: What to Expect in 2026

If your French Bulldog has been assessed with moderate to severe BOAS, surgery is the most effective way to improve their breathing and quality of life. Understanding what the procedures involve and what they cost helps you plan, choose the right surgeon and approach insurance conversations with the information you need.

For a full explanation of BOAS, its grading system and how it develops, see the BOAS guide. This page focuses specifically on costs and what the surgical process involves.

What BOAS surgery involves

Standard BOAS surgery for French Bulldogs typically combines two or three procedures performed under a single general anaesthetic:

Nares widening (rhinoplasty)

A small wedge of tissue is removed from the nostrils to widen the opening and reduce the resistance to airflow. The surgery takes around twenty to thirty minutes and leaves a small, neat incision that heals well. Results are visible immediately: the nostrils are noticeably wider, and the dog usually breathes more easily through the nose straight away.

Soft palate resection (staphylectomy)

The excess soft palate tissue at the back of the throat is shortened. Older techniques involved simply cutting away the excess with scissors or a laser. The more modern folded flap palatoplasty (FPP) technique, developed at Cambridge, has better outcomes because it re-shapes the palate rather than simply shortening it, reducing the risk of scarring-related complications and improving long-term results.

If your vet plans to perform a standard staphylectomy rather than a folded flap procedure, asking whether referral to a surgeon using the FPP technique is appropriate is a reasonable question, particularly for severe cases.

Everted laryngeal saccule removal

If the laryngeal saccules have everted (been sucked outward into the airway), they are removed at the same time. This adds to the procedure time and cost but prevents separate anaesthesia later. Not all BOAS cases involve everted saccules; it depends on the grade and how long the condition has been present without treatment.

UK costs in 2026

Procedure	Typical cost range
Nares widening only	£400–£800
Soft palate resection only	£900–£1,600
Nares + soft palate (standard resection)	£1,500–£2,500
Nares + FPP soft palate + saccule removal	£2,200–£3,500
Specialist referral (full BOAS correction)	£2,800–£4,500

Prices vary by region, with London and the South East typically at the higher end. The anaesthetic, monitoring, pain relief and overnight care (if needed) are usually included in these figures, but always confirm what is covered in the quoted price.

Pre-operative costs also add to the total. A BOAS grading assessment (if not previously done) and any pre-operative blood work or radiographs may add £200 to £400. If your vet wants a CT scan to assess tracheal diameter and laryngeal anatomy before operating, this adds £600 to £1,200 but can inform surgical planning significantly.

Choosing a surgeon

For straightforward cases (Grade 2 with stenotic nares and moderate soft palate elongation), an experienced GP vet is entirely appropriate. Ask:

• How many BOAS procedures have they performed?
• Which soft palate technique do they use?
• What monitoring is available during anaesthesia?

For more complex cases, Grade 3 dogs, dogs with suspected laryngeal collapse or tracheal hypoplasia, referral to a veterinary soft tissue specialist is worth the additional cost. Specialist centres also offer pre- and post-operative grading assessments that measure the functional improvement in airway flow, giving you objective evidence of the outcome.

The RCVS Find a Specialist directory lists RCVS-recognised specialists in veterinary surgery.

Pre-operative care

In the days before surgery, your vet will usually advise:

• No food from midnight the night before (or as specified by the practice)
• Water can typically be given until an hour or two before arrival
• Any regular medications to be discussed with the vet regarding whether they should be given on the day

If your Frenchie is overweight, your vet may recommend weight loss before the operation. Even a modest reduction improves anaesthetic safety and post-operative breathing outcomes.

What happens on the day

Most BOAS surgeries are day procedures: in for the morning, discharged in the afternoon or early evening. Your dog will be given a pre-anaesthetic sedation, then placed under general anaesthesia. Procedures typically take one to two hours in total.

Anaesthesia in brachycephalic dogs requires additional care. The compromised airway makes intubation and extubation (insertion and removal of the breathing tube) higher-risk in these breeds than in normal-anatomy dogs. Specialist knowledge and appropriate monitoring equipment are important. Reputable practices with experience in brachycephalic anaesthesia manage this well.

Your dog will be kept for monitoring until they are fully recovered, eating and breathing comfortably. An overnight stay is sometimes recommended, particularly for Grade 3 dogs or those where additional procedures were performed.

Recovery at home

For the two weeks following surgery:

• Soft food only for seven to ten days, to protect the palate while it heals. Many owners use wet food, soaked kibble or puppy mousse during this period.
• Exercise restriction. Lead walks to toilet only for two weeks. No running, jumping or rough play.
• No collar. Use a harness for any lead walks to avoid any pressure on the throat.
• Monitor breathing. The improvement is often obvious within the first few days. Some initial swelling can temporarily worsen breathing in the first 24 to 48 hours before improving.
• Pain relief. Your vet will send anti-inflammatory pain relief home. Give it as directed.

A follow-up appointment at ten to fourteen days to check healing is standard. Your vet will confirm the palate has healed well and assess breathing improvement.

Insurance and BOAS surgery

Pet insurance for French Bulldogs should be arranged before any vet visit that might result in a note about breathing concerns. Most lifetime policies cover BOAS surgery for dogs without pre-existing breathing problems on their records. The pet insurance guide covers what to look for in a policy specifically for this breed.

For dogs already showing BOAS signs before insurance is in place, some policies may still offer partial cover depending on how the condition is classified. It is worth calling insurers directly to discuss the specific situation rather than assuming there is no coverage.

Is surgery worth it?

The improvement in quality of life for Grade 2 and 3 dogs post-surgery is, in most cases, substantial. Dogs that previously laboured through even short walks can complete longer, more comfortable exercise. Sleep quality improves significantly. Open-mouth breathing at rest resolves in most cases.

For Grade 1 dogs with borderline quality of life, the decision is more nuanced and worth a detailed conversation with your vet. The evidence favours earlier intervention in dogs that are heading toward Grade 2 rather than waiting for definitive deterioration.

The cost is significant but manageable with good insurance and advance planning. For dogs without insurance, spreading the cost via a payment plan or through a veterinary financing service (CareCredit or similar) is an option many practices offer.