Last updated: September 2026
Quick answer: BOAS surgery for a French Bulldog, Pug or Bulldog in the UK can cost from around £1,100 at practices offering fixed-price packages, with referral-centre surgery and more complex cases costing considerably more. The price depends on how many parts of the airway need correcting, the pre-operative assessment and the aftercare. Insurance usually covers BOAS if no signs appeared before the policy started, but flat-faced breeds cost more to insure and signs such as noisy breathing are often recorded early, which can lead to an exclusion.
BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) is a breathing disorder caused by the shortened skull of flat-faced breeds. This guide covers what surgery costs, what the price includes and how to avoid an insurance exclusion.
How much does BOAS surgery cost?
| Example | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-price package at a first-opinion hospital | £1,100 (Connaught House Vets, Wolverhampton) | Pre-surgical assessment and consultation, anaesthetic, the surgery, post-operative hospital care and pain relief |
| Referral centre or complex case | Considerably higher | Specialist assessment, imaging and more extensive airway surgery |
Prices vary a lot between practices, so it is worth asking what a quote includes. A cheaper price may exclude the assessment, overnight care or follow-up checks.
What BOAS surgery involves
BOAS surgery aims to widen the airway. Depending on the dog, it may include:
- Widening the nostrils (correcting stenotic nares).
- Shortening an elongated soft palate that obstructs the back of the throat.
- Removing everted laryngeal saccules, tissue pulled into the windpipe by the effort of breathing.
The more procedures your dog needs, the higher the cost. Surgery improves breathing but does not change the shape of the skull, so ongoing care, weight control and avoiding heat remain important.
The ongoing cost of a flat-faced breed
Surgery is rarely the only expense. A UK rescue, All Dogs Matter, estimates that BOAS costs owners between £1,100 and £2,300 a year, and reports that French Bulldogs are 8 to 10 times more likely to need insurance claims for breathing problems than other dogs. Flat-faced breeds are also prone to eye, skin and spine problems.
That is why these breeds are among the most expensive to insure. See pet insurance cost in the UK.
Does pet insurance cover BOAS surgery?
Usually, on accident and illness policies, if your dog showed no signs before the policy started. The problem is that early signs are easy to miss or to treat as normal:
- Noisy breathing counts. Snoring, snorting or laboured breathing noted by a vet before cover began can be treated as a pre-existing sign of BOAS. Noisy breathing at rest is never normal. See pre-existing conditions.
- Check for breed-specific limits. Some policies limit or exclude certain conditions for high-risk breeds. Read the exclusions before you buy.
- Check your vet fee limit. A flat-faced dog may need airway surgery, eye treatment and skin care in the same year. See how much vet fee cover you need.
- Choose lifetime cover. Ongoing breathing, skin and eye problems need a limit that resets each year. See lifetime vs time-limited vs maximum benefit cover.
If a claim is refused, check the vet notes the insurer relied on and complain if they don’t support the decision. See what to do if a claim is rejected.
Before you buy a flat-faced puppy
- Ask about breathing assessments. The Kennel Club’s Respiratory Function Grading scheme assesses Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs for BOAS. Ask the breeder whether the parents have been graded.
- Insure from day one, before any signs are recorded.
- Budget for higher premiums and for ongoing costs beyond surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Is BOAS surgery worth it?
For dogs with significant breathing problems, surgery can greatly improve comfort and quality of life. Your vet will advise whether your dog is a candidate.
At what age is BOAS surgery done?
It varies. Some vets recommend earlier surgery, before airway tissues are permanently damaged. Ask your vet.
Is BOAS surgery cosmetic?
No. It is a functional operation to help the dog breathe.
Does pet insurance cover nostril surgery for a Pug?
Usually, if there were no signs before cover began and the policy doesn’t exclude it. Check the wording.
Why is French Bulldog insurance so expensive?
Because breathing, skin, eye and spine problems are common and costly. See pet insurance cost in the UK.
Key takeaways
- BOAS surgery can cost from around £1,100 at fixed-price practices, and more at referral centres.
- Ask exactly what a quote includes.
- Flat-faced breeds have ongoing costs beyond surgery.
- Insure before any breathing noise is recorded, and choose lifetime cover with a high limit.
Prices are examples and typical ranges, not quotes. This guide is not veterinary advice; your vet will recommend the right treatment for your dog.