Impact of Rhinoplasty and Staphylectomy on Venous Blood Gas Parameters in French Bulldogs with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)

<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objective:</bold> To assess the impact of rhinoplasty and staphylectomy on gas exchange in French Bulldogs using venous blood gas analysis performed before and after surgery. <bold>Methods:</bold> French Bulldogs diagnosed with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) were evaluated. Venous blood gas parameters were measured before surgery and six months after rhinoplasty and staphylectomy. <bold>Results:</bold> Venous blood gas analysis revealed alterations in respiratory and acid–base parameters before surgery, consistent with compensated respiratory acidosis. Following rhinoplasty and staphylectomy, PCO₂ and HCO₃⁻ values showed a trend toward normalization, indicating partial improvement in ventilatory function. However, PO₂ and oxygen saturation showed lower mean postoperative values. Changes in serum electrolyte concentrations were also observed, including increased potassium and calcium concentrations and decreased sodium concentrations <bold>.</bold> <bold>Clinical Significance:</bold> This study highlights the importance of blood gas monitoring in brachycephalic dogs before and after surgical correction of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). The findings demonstrate respiratory and acid–base alterations compatible with compensated respiratory acidosis, although no statistically significant differences were detected between preoperative and postoperative evaluations. A notable contribution of this study is the comparative analysis of serum electrolyte concentrations before and after surgery, an aspect that has not been investigated in previous studies. </p>