CostByBreedCondition guide
Pet insurance for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas)
BOAS surgery is covered by some accident and illness policies and excluded by others, and it is one of the conditions most likely to carry a breed specific exclusion for flat faced breeds. Any breathing signs recorded before enrollment are commonly used to class the condition as pre-existing, even without a formal diagnosis.
What it is
BOAS is a set of airway problems in flat faced dogs, where narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and other crowded structures make breathing harder than it should be. Owners often visit a vet because of loud snoring, noisy breathing, gagging, poor tolerance of exercise or heat, or fainting in severe cases.
What treatment typically costs
BOAS corrective surgery typically runs $2,000 to $2,500
Source: Spot Pet Insurance, Pet Insurance and Surgeries: What is Covered and What is Not, Accessed 2026. A range this wide reflects how much the bill depends on the treatment chosen and where you live.
How policies treat it
BOAS surgery is covered by some accident and illness policies and excluded by others, and it is one of the conditions most likely to carry a breed specific exclusion for flat faced breeds. Any breathing signs recorded before enrollment are commonly used to class the condition as pre-existing, even without a formal diagnosis.
What a claim would pay
A worked example
- The bill for treating brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas) comes to $2,250.
- The yearly deductible takes off $500, leaving $1,750.
- The policy reimburses 80 percent of $1,750, which is $1,400.00.
The policy pays $1,400.00 and you pay $850.00.
Example terms only: a $500 yearly deductible and 80 percent reimbursement, with the deductible not yet met this year. Your own policy terms decide a real claim.
Breeds most associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas)
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Frequently asked questions
Does pet insurance cover brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas)?
BOAS surgery is covered by some accident and illness policies and excluded by others, and it is one of the conditions most likely to carry a breed specific exclusion for flat faced breeds. Any breathing signs recorded before enrollment are commonly used to class the condition as pre-existing, even without a formal diagnosis.
What does brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas) treatment cost?
BOAS corrective surgery typically runs $2,000 to $2,500. Source: Spot Pet Insurance, Pet Insurance and Surgeries: What is Covered and What is Not, Accessed 2026.
Is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas) hereditary?
For the breeds on this page it is one of the conditions breed registries and studies track, which is why hereditary coverage in a policy matters. The breed pages list the evidence breed by breed.
What waiting period applies to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (boas)?
Illness waiting periods are commonly 14 days, and orthopedic conditions carry longer waits at some insurers, up to six months, sometimes reducible with a vet exam. The policy treatment section above names the insurers whose documents say so.
Treatment costs: Spot Pet Insurance, Pet Insurance and Surgeries: What is Covered and What is Not, Accessed 2026. Policy treatment: the insurers' own published policy documents and term pages, captured October 27, 2026. Premium benchmark: North American Pet Health Insurance Association, State of the Industry Report, 2026 edition, reporting 2025 data. See the methodology page for how every source is used.