Call us 1300 952 790
Get Your Free Quote
Pet Insurance
About Us
Members Benefits
Vets
Pet Hub
Insurance Hub
Tail Talk Blog
Contact Us

Understanding BOAS and Your 
Pet Insurance

Some dog and cat breeds are more likely to experience breathing difficulties due to the shape of their head and airways. This is called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

If you’re a proud parent of a pug, bulldog, frenchie, persian or another flat-faced breed, this page explains what BOAS is, how it relates to your insurance, and what to do if you’d like to apply for coverage.

GET A QUOTE

What is BOAS?

BOAS stands for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.
It refers to a group of breathing problems that affect certain flat-faced 
(brachycephalic) breeds.

Common conditions or associated changes include:

  • Narrow nostrils (stenotic nares)
  • An elongated soft palate
  • Changes to the tissues around the throat and voice box (distortion of pharyngeal/laryngeal soft tissues)
  • An enlarged tongue (Macroglossia)
  • A smaller-than-normal windpipe (hypoplastic trachea)

These conditions can cause noisy breathing, trouble exercising and overheating. Some pets with BOAS show signs early in life, and in some cases, surgery is needed to help them breathe more easily.

Is BOAS covered under my Policy?

There were changes to the product to help pet owners understand the policy.

  • If your Policy was purchased before 15 May 2024, BOAS is a covered condition if no signs or symptoms (including but not limited to breathing difficulty, snoring, stenotic nares) prior to the Policy commencing, or during the 6 month Exclusion Period for this condition.
  • If your policy was purchased on or after 15 May 2024, BOAS is not covered unless you applied using a BOAS Application Form and it was approved by us.

BOAS is often present from a young age in certain breeds, so the treatment is considered foreseeable, not unexpected.

But if your pet hasn’t shown any signs or symptoms of BOAS, you may still be eligible for coverage.

How to Apply for
BOAS Coverage

If your pet hasn’t shown signs of BOAS and you’d like to apply for coverage, you can apply by following these steps (after purchasing a Policy):

Fill out the BOAS Application Form

Start by downloading the form and completing Part 1 before your vet visit. Download the BOAS Form

Visit your vet

Take your pet to the vet for a check-up. Your vet will complete Part 2 of the form. Please allow 20–30 minutes for the appointment.

Submit the form

Email the completed form and your pet’s full vet history to [email protected] within 14 days of your vet visit – If you do not have access to your Pet’s history we can do this on your behalf.

We’ll review and get back to you

Once we’ve reviewed the form, we’ll let you know the outcome. If your application is approved, we’ll update your Policy and send you an updated Certificate of Insurance showing that BOAS is now covered.

Download the BOAS application form

Things to Keep in Mind

  • The vet visit is at your own cost. If you're due for a check-up anyway, take the form along to avoid an extra trip.
  • Make sure you send the form to us within 14 days of your vet visit.
    If it’s late, you’ll need to go back to the vet for a new exam.
  • If your vet notices any signs or symptoms of BOAS during the exam,
    the application won’t be approved.

BOAS Coverage FAQs

BOAS stands for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. It includes a range of breathing problems caused by physical traits common in flat-faced breeds. It includes a range of issues linked to narrowed airways, which can cause snoring, snorting, or trouble breathing.

Yes, if your Policy was purchased before 15 May 2024, and no signs or symptoms noted prior to the Policy commencing, or during the first 6 months of the policy

If your Policy was purchased on or after 15 May 2024, not automatically—you’ll need to apply using a BOAS application form.

Unfortunately, no. If your pet has already shown any signs of BOAS, the condition won’t be eligible for coverage.

You can apply anytime after your Policy starts, but it’s a good idea to do it sooner rather than later—especially if your pet’s breed is at higher risk.

The form will no longer be valid. You’ll need to visit your vet again for a new exam and submit a new completed form.

Yes, but most pet parents just take the form to their pet’s regular check-up to avoid an extra consult, although if you delay the check up and symptoms occur it may impact your application.

Usually 5–10 business days from receiving the full history from the vet. If we need more info from your vet, it might take a bit longer.

We’ll confirm when we receive your form and then notify you by email of the outcome. If approved, you’ll receive an updated Certificate of Insurance showing BOAS is covered.

If your vet records indicate signs or symptoms of BOAS, the condition won’t be covered. Your pet will still be covered for other eligible Illnesses, Injuries and Specified Conditions once the relevant Exclusion Periods end.

Contact Petsy
Connect with us
Facebook Instagram Envelope-open-text
Get a quote
Petsy Pet Insurance
Policy documents
Company information

Petsy Pty Ltd (ABN 54 633 343 058, AR 1277359) (‘Petsy’) distributes and promotes Petsy Pet Protection Plus (formally Petsy Pet Insurance), Petsy Puppy Protection Plus and Petsy Kitten Protection Plus as an authorised representative of ThePetInsuranceCompany.com.au Pty Ltd (ABN 38 620 795 735, AFSL 536651) (‘ThePetInsuranceCompany.com.au’). ThePetInsuranceCompany.com.au is an underwriting agency acting under a binding authority as an agent for the insurer; Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 83 169 311 193, AFSL 523921) (‘Pacific).
In all aspects of arranging this product, Petsy and ThePetInsuranceCompany.com.au act as an agent of Pacific and not as your agent. Any advice contained in this email is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account individual objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider the appropriateness of any such advice, the Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’) and the Target Market Determination (‘TMD’) available via http://www.petsy.com.au or by calling 1300 952 790 before making a decision to acquire, or to continue to hold, the product. Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please refer to the PDS.

Privacy Policy – Website Terms of Use

© Copyright 2024 Petsy Pet Insurance 

Specified Conditions includes:

  • Cruciate ligament damage
  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patella luxation
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Cherry eye
  • Entropion
  • Ectropion,
  • Osteochondritis dissecans (‘OCD’)
  • Lumps

Lumps means the protuberance or localised area of swelling or unusual growth that can occur anywhere on or in the body including tumours, warts, cysts, growths, mucoceles, haematomas and abscesses.

You can apply to reduce the 6-month exclusion period for Specified Conditions by using our request for Waiver Form. Simply take this form to your next vet visit and submit the completed form back to [email protected] within 14 days of the visit.

Pet Insurance
About Us
Members Benefits
Vets
Pet Hub
Insurance Hub
Tail Talk Blog
Contact Us
Claims Process
Get Your Free Quote
Login
Contact Us

Optional Extra Benefits

During the application process You will be provided with the option to include Optional Extra Benefits that cover certain conditions and Treatments which are not otherwise covered under the Policy.

The Optional Extra Benefits are:

Alternative Therapies, Behavioural Problems, and Dental Illness.

Examples of Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy.

Examples of Behavioural Problems: Excessive licking, fur pulling, pacing and destructive chewing.

Examples of Dental Illnesses: Dental diseases, gingivitis, periodontal disease.