FAQ’s
Are you a 5/5 surgeon? ABSOLUTELY.
I perform a surgical technique called a folded flap palatoplasty. This THINS the soft palate while shortening it. I also then perform a free edge staphylectomy to further SHORTEN the palate. I resect Laryngeal saccules in >95% of patients and remove tonsils in close to 100%. Nostrils (nares) are the least important piece of the puzzle but I perform a very deep nostril opening technique while still ensuring the best possible cosmetic outcome.
Do you use Steroids? ALWAYS.
I ensure all of my patients receive steroids BEFORE and AFTER surgery. My opinion is that knowledge is power. I KNOW that brachy’s have high risks of regurgitation, vomiting, aspiration pneumonia and inflammation causing respiratory obstruction. Which all sounds scary. But since I know that these things can happen I do everything in my power to prevent and pre-empt them. ‘Prior preparedness prevents poor performance’ my anaesthesia tutor used to say! I will assess your dog as an individual to determine what medications or lifestyle changes will reduce the risks of surgery and anaesthesia. I will determine what we should do, for how long, at what dose and what our results need to be in order to be able to safely proceed.
Do you allow owners in for recovery? DEFINITELY.
It is compulsory in my books. I don’t book surgery on a date that you can’t be there to be the face your pet see’s when they wake up from surgery. A successful outcome relies on excellent anaesthesia protocols, superb surgical technique, phenomenal nursing care but most importantly, meeting emotional needs and reducing stress. While I could use medication to reduce stress I’d much rather prevent the stress in the first place!
What is your complication rate? LOW. VERY LOW.
I am very proud to have never had a death. Published mortality rates in Brachy’s are often around 5%. Mortality rates in normal nosed dogs are 0.01%.
I do everything humanly possible to pre-empt and reduce risks and the teams I work with are exceptional. I will talk to you about the risk level your dog has and why and what their chances of complications are. But without airway surgery I know that their chances of a lifetime of struggle is 100%.
My Tracheotomy tube rate is 0.5% with all patients who required trach tubes being identified pre-surgery as extreme risk with euthanasia being the only alternative to undertaking surgery. Happily, all these dogs fully recovered and went on to live infinitely happier lives.
Does my dog need surgery? ARE THEY A SQUISHY FACE? THEN YES (if you want them to have a happy life)
Snoring is NOT normal. Getting puffed after a 30 minute walk and needing to plonk down on a cool floor is NOT normal. Spitting up froth/phlegm/water, hiccuping, belching, snorting, snuffling is NOT normal. Restless sleep or frequent waking is NOT normal. Being ‘lazy’ is NOT normal - it is oxygen deprivation and a lack of quality sleep due to airway restriction.
To learn everything you need to know about being an awesome Brachy owner please join the BAHA group (Brachycephalic Australia Health Awareness)
