Staphylectomy can be used to treat dogs with elongated soft palate/airway blockage and breathing issues caused by anomalies in the soft palate.
A staphylectomy is a surgical treatment involving performing a resection of the soft palate to remove tissue and clear up the airway.
This surgery is also known as a posterior soft palate resection.
It is especially frequent in breeds of dogs known as brancylecephic breeds, such as pugs and bulldog breeds (especially French bulldogs).
Under general anesthesia, your veterinarian can conduct a staphylectomy to remove tissue from the palate to clear your dog’s airway.
How much does a soft palate surgical procedure cost?
The price of surgical treatment for soft palate will vary depending on several factors, such as where you reside, the qualifications of the surgeon you choose, the potential length of time that your dog will spend in the hospital, and the total number of surgical procedures that will be required to fix the issue.
According to our findings, the charges, which do not include the cost of any insurance, might cost somewhere from $1000 to $2800.
You are going to find out that the pricing will vary considerably from one site to the next. This is something that you should be prepared for.
If your pup needed all three procedures – the soft palate, laryngeal saccules, and nares – corrected, the costs could be as high as $2,800; however, if your pup only needs one of the three methods, the average cost will be between $800 and $1200.
What about some extra costs?
In addition to soft palate resection, further surgical operations, such as removing the laryngeal saccules or tonsils, may be necessary.
You should count on multiplying each surgery by $1200.
In some circumstances, the animal hospital may impose an extra charge for the cost of the anesthetic that is administered during the surgery.
How did we get our estimation?
We get our estimation based on our latest research conducted in the market (with the help of social media or concerning the relevant vet clinic/institution.
Is it covered within most dog health insurance?
Both yes and no. You can always purchase pet insurance coverage for your canine companion.
On the other hand, if you are aware that your dog requires surgery and then decide to enroll him/her in an insurance plan, the operation will not be covered since it is seen as a pre-existing condition and hence is not eligible for coverage.
Where can you find ways to cut costs?
The costs charged by a general practice veterinarian are typically one-half of those charged by a surgeon.
Even though you should not base your decision only on cost, it is not a bad idea to seek estimates from three to five veterinarians in the region to determine how much they would charge for the treatment.
Be careful to inquire about their experience, the number of surgeries they have performed, and the advice they would give for someone in your position specifically.
Reasons for carrying out a soft palate resection in dogs
Vets undertake soft palate resections to allow your dog to breathe normally or as close to usual as possible.
Because affected dogs have an abnormally long soft palate that spans the length of their whole mouth, breathing can be difficult for them because it can cause the epiglottis to become obstructed. Brachycephalic breeds of dogs are particularly susceptible to this problem (as discussed above).
When the dog breathes in, if the soft palate extends into the epiglottis, it will block the airflow into the trachea and lungs, making it difficult for the dog to breathe.
The more effort your pet puts into breathing, the more the soft palate is dragged into the epiglottis, which makes breathing even more difficult for them, which in turn causes them to continue to put more effort into breathing.
In less severe circumstances, it may look as though the sound of snoring awakens your pet; in more severe cases, your canine buddy may fall due to an inability to carry adequate oxygen into the lungs.
Treatment Approach
When evaluating and treating your dog’s soft palate, vets will position your pup in sternal recumbency. Then they open your dog’s mouth so they can see and feel the soft palate in the back of their throat.
After the distal (end) section of the palate has been removed, it is then sewed back together to stop any bleeding that may have occurred. While a result of this action, the epiglottis will not come into contact with the soft palate as the dog breathes in.
Recovery as well as ongoing care
After surgery, when your dog comes out of the anesthetic, the healing process is typically uncomplicated, and your pet will have a lot easier time breathing after the procedure.
Because of the operation, your pet will no longer snore at all, or at least not nearly as much, when both asleep and awake after the procedure.
As a result of the ease with which air may enter and exit their bodies, people will be able to participate in significantly higher levels of physical activity.
Other pharyngeal structures are no longer pulled inward toward the back of the throat since the interference with the epiglottis has been reduced.
As a result, more pharyngeal surgery does not need to be performed as a consequence of this! They will have a significant rise in quality of life as a result of this procedure.
Effectiveness of the Staphyloctomy Procedure in Dogs
In younger animals, a staphylectomy is connected with a favorable prognosis, and the dog can resume its regular activity level after the procedure.
The prognosis is more dubious in older dogs who have already begun to have difficulties, such as laryngeal collapse. It is less probable that they will recover to normal airway functioning.
Conclusion
Depending on your region’s average cost of living, the elongated soft palate surgery cost in dogs might range anywhere from $1,000 to $2,800.
If additional surgeries and interventions are necessary due to complications with palate excision, stenotic nares issues, or airway obstruction, this cost may be increased.
