Should I have a Tie-Back Surgery for My French Bulldog BOAS Laryngeal Collapse?

Laryngeal Collapse Best Treatment Option Answer

I’m sorry to hear about Copper and his airway struggles.

Unfortunately, this is something we see far too often in brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like English bulldogs and French bulldog puppies.

The Most Common Cause of Bulldog Laryngeal Collapse

The root of the problem is usually BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) that wasn’t corrected early in life.

The two most common culprits are:

1. Pinched nostrils (stenotic nares)
2. Elongated soft palate

Why The Strange Breathing Sounds and Labored Breathing?

Think of it like trying to breathe through a tiny straw all day long.
That constant suction creates strong negative pressure in the airway.
Over time, the delicate tissues of the larynx start to suffer.

How BOAS progress to Laryngeal Collapse?

Laryngeal Saccules: It usually starts with something called everted laryngeal saccules, little tissues that get pulled inward and puff up by the suction.

But the story doesn’t stop there.

As the bulldog continues to struggle to breathe, the laryngeal cartilage becomes fatigued, weakens, and eventually collapses inward.

At this stage, the airway becomes dangerously narrow, and the condition can become nearly irreversible.

What About a “Tie-Back” Surgery For Laryngeal Collapse?

A tie-back procedure (where one side of the larynx is permanently held open) can be a helpful salvage surgery for certain laryngeal conditions in other dog breeds.

However, unfortunately, bulldogs are a different story.

In bulldogs with BOAS-related laryngeal collapse, the laryngeal cartilage has often already atrophied.

When the structure itself is weakened, a tie-back usually doesn’t work.

What Is The Best Treatment For Laryngeal Collapse?

In severe cases, the most realistic long-term solution may be bypassing the larynx entirely with a permanent tracheostomy by creating a breathing opening directly into the windpipe.

What Are Some Difficulties of a Permanent Tracheostomy?

A permanent tracheostomy can be a life-saving solution for bulldogs with severe airway obstruction.

However, it does come with some practical challenges and requires consistent daily care.

Here are some of the common Laryngeal Collapse Care difficulties:

1. Daily maintenance: The tracheostomy opening (stoma) must be cleaned regularly to prevent mucus buildup, irritation, or infection.

Owners need to monitor the site and keep it clear so the dog can breathe freely.

2. Risk of infection

3. Irritation and plucgging from mucus accumulation

Breed-specific challenges in bulldog Tracheostomy

Bulldogs present extra challenges due to their anatomy:

Short necks and heavy skin folds: the excess skin can partially cover or irritate the opening, making hygiene and airflow harder to maintain.

Fortunately, there are ways to help:
✔ Cosmetic fold reduction surgery: to remove excess skin
✔ Custom 3-D printed silicone stent: placed in the opening to help keep it functional and easier to manage long-term

Laryngeal Collapse and Tracheostomy Summery:

While a permanent tracheostomy requires commitment, in the right cases it can dramatically improve the quality of life and breathing comfort for Copper and other bulldogs in need with otherwise untreatable airway obstruction.

The Big Takeaway: The best treatment is still prevention.

Correcting BOAS issues early in life, especially nostrils and palate, can dramatically reduce the risk of this devastating condition.

Wishing my best to Copper and You
Keep me posted
Dr. Kraemer Vet4Bulldog