什麼是BOAS?
什麼是短吻犬阻塞性呼吸道症候群？
What is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)?
BOAS 是一種好發於某些扁臉犬品種的上呼吸道相關症候群。由於育種的選擇，在頭顱變短的情況下，裡面的軟組織（如呼吸道）被不正常的壓縮及異常生長，進而造成呼吸道阻塞。
BOAS is an upper respiratory syndrome that occurs in certain brachycephalic breeds. These breeds have flattened skulls due to selective breeding, which results in abnormal compression and growth of the soft tissues within the head (e.g., respiratory tract), causing respiratory obstruction.
我的狗有BOAS嗎?
How do I know if my dog suffers from BOAS?
患有BOAS的狗狗可能出現以下呼吸異常的特徵，如發出異常呼吸聲（咻咻聲/鼾聲）、呼吸用力、過度喘氣、睡眠異常、反流嘔吐、運動不耐及不耐熱等。
Dogs with BOAS may exhibit the following respiratory abnormalities: abnormal breathing sounds (swooshing/snoring), effort breathing, excessive panting, sleep abnormalities, regurgitation, vomiting, exercise intolerance, heat intolerance, etc.
BOAS評估及進階檢查
BOAS Assessment and Advanced Examinations
獸醫師可以藉由理學檢查及運動測試做 BOAS 的評估，進階檢查如喉頭鏡、電腦斷層、鼻腔/鼻咽鏡等會經獸醫師評估而斟酌建議施行。
BOAS can be evaluated by a veterinarian through physical examination and exercise tolerance tests. Advanced examinations, such as laryngoscopy, Computed Tomography (CT), and nasal / nasopharyngeal endoscopy, can be performed according to your veterinarian's discretion.
參考資料 Reference
Packer RMA, Hendricks A, Burn CC. Do dog owners perceive the clinical signs related to conformational inherited disorders as 'normal' for the breed? A potential constraint to improving canine welfare. Anim Welf. 2012;21(1):81-93.