My new nose: Life after BOAS surgery

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Hi friends, it’s been a while but I’m back! You all know I’ve never been short on charm—or snorts. But let me tell you about something that’s changed my life in a big way: breathing.

For the first three years of my life, summers were… rough. I’ve always loved my long walks but at some point, I felt that something was not going well for me. I’d get winded just from walking a few blocks. The heat made it worse. My tongue would hang out and I’d have to lie down just to catch my breath. My humans, academic mom and dad, always kept an eye on me. They knew something wasn’t quite right.

Then came the summer of my fourth year—and it hit different. I wasn’t just huffing and puffing anymore. I was struggling. Every step outside felt like trying to breathe through a tiny straw. I couldn’t cool myself down, I’d overheat easily, and I just wasn’t myself. That’s when my humans took me back to my vet.

She confirmed what we suspected: BOAS—Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. It’s the price we flat-faced pups often pay for our cuteness. Narrow nostrils, long soft palates, tight airways… You get the idea. My vet said surgery could help me breathe better, enjoy life more, and maybe even live longer. My humans didn’t even blink. They wanted me to thrive.

A few months ago, I went in for surgery. It was a simple procedure, but still scary for my humans. That night my mom dropped me off to the clinic. She was very sad for me and worried but I told her, ” Don’t worry Mom, I’m gonna be fine, I’m a tough guy!” The vet opened my nostrils and carefully removed some soft tissue from my airway. She told my humans that she took out as much as she could without risking me. I was sore for a bit, I took my medicine for a few days, but I could already tell something was different. After a week I felt fully recovered and a few days later, I was discharged by my vet. I was back!. Academic dad took me out for my first long walk after surgery and I felt like I could fly. We ran in the park, I chased him… my life changed!

Now? This is my first summer with my new nose, and wow—it’s a game-changer. I can go on longer walks, I don’t overheat nearly as fast, and I’m just... happier. I’ll always be a snorty guy, but now I snort with ease and style.

If your pup’s like me—or you’ve got a squishy-faced sibling or friend—here are some hot weather survival tips from a Frenchie who’s been there:

Tips for surviving summer with BOAS:

Walk early or late.

The cooler the better. Before 9 a.m. and after sunset are the golden hours. My Academic dad’s golden rule is “if the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius (77 F) or higher, then we can’t go out.”

Hydration is key.

Bring water on every walk. I use this fantastic bottle, which can keep the water cold, but also it contains a bowl that I use to drink.

Mind the pavement.

If it’s too hot for your human’s hand, it’s too hot for your paws. Grass or shaded paths are best.

Skip the midday heat.

Stay inside with fans or AC when the sun’s at its peak. Even when I never go out for a walk when it’s too warm, the weather in Boston can change quickly and surprise you. For those days, I use my fantastic cooling vest that keeps my cool during my walks, I love it!

Watch for red flags.

Too much panting, drooling, vomiting, or wobbly walking? It could be heatstroke. That’s an emergency—call the vet fast.

Consider surgery.

If you’re like I was, struggling to breathe in the heat, talk to your vet about BOAS surgery. It gave me a second chance—and a lot more tail wags.

Quick and safe cool-down for brachycephalic dogs.

If you feel like you are overheating, you have to move immediately to a shaded or air-conditioned area. Sip cool (not cold) water, and gently get your paws, belly, and armpits wet with room-temperature water—never ice-cold, as rapid cooling can cause shock. Use a fan to help evaporate the moisture and lower your body temperature gradually. Avoid being covered with wet towels, as that can trap heat. Stay calm, monitor your breathing, and call your vet if symptoms don’t improve quickly.

Thanks for following along on this experience. I really hope this helps some of you flat-nosed friends out there!. Life is better now—more playful, more peaceful, and a whole lot easier to sniff. I’m still me, just with a little more oxygen and a lot more joy.

Snort you later,

Coco (with the new nose)