Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart and breathing changes after airway surgery in French Bulldogs
By Anak Agung Gde Fandhiananta Widyanjaya et al.·Published in BMC Veterinary Research·2026·Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, GB·View original on DOAJ →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Short-term changes in clinical status, cardiovascular function and heart rate variability after staphylectomy and alarplasty in French Bulldogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Plain-English summary
Eleven French Bulldogs with breathing problems due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) underwent surgery to correct an elongated soft palate. After the surgery, their breathing rate improved, and most owners reported better overall health in their pets. However, there were no significant changes in oxygen levels, blood pressure, or heart function immediately after the procedure. While the surgery helped with breathing, it seems that the changes in heart rate variability were more about how the dogs were breathing rather than a complete fix for their heart function. Further studies are needed to understand the long-term effects of this surgery on these dogs.
People also search for: French Bulldog breathing problems · BOAS surgery recovery · heart rate variability in dogs
Abstract
Abstract Short-term effects of elongated soft palate correction on cardiovascular function and heart rate variability (HRV) were studied in eleven French Bulldogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). The oxygen saturation (SpO2), blood pressure (BP), electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, short-term HRV, and modified BOAS questionnaire were carried out before and one month after surgical correction of BOAS. Significant reduction in the respiratory rate was reported after surgery (P < 0.05, 95% CI [-16, -2]). No significant differences were observed in SpO2, BP, ECG, and echocardiographic parameters both before and after surgery. Most of the questionnaire scores were improved after surgery. The HRV results after surgery showed a significant reduction in vagally mediated indices and a relative shift toward low frequency (LF) components. These changes were correlated to the clinical improvement from modified BOAS questionnaire. Although surgery improved questionnaire scores, the short-term changes in HRV likely reflect altered breathing patterns rather than definitive relief of ‘parasympathetic overactivity’. Longer follow-up with better respiratory control, or comparison among brachycephalic breeds is needed to clarify the direct impact of surgery on autonomic function.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-026-05331-z