In May, one of our policyholders reached out with growing concern for their sweet-natured Shih Tzu, Sean.
After just 20 minutes of play and exercise that day, he wasn’t his normal bright and happy self. His breathing grew noisy, his panting intensified, and it was clear he was struggling far more than he should be.
Though the day was warm, what the vet noted during the examination couldn’t be chalked up to heat alone: narrowed nostrils, laboured breathing, and noisy airflow in the trachea. These were classic signs of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a common yet serious condition in flat-faced breeds like Shih Tzus.
After careful evaluation, surgery was recommended and quickly arranged. The little fighter went under anaesthetic for a multi-step procedure to open up his airways and relieve the pressure he had silently been battling for a long time.
The procedure was a success and marked the beginning of a new, easier way of breathing for Sean.
💙 Every breath matters, and so does our support
When a pup is struggling to breathe, the response is clear. Act quickly!
Our claims team sprang into action. We reviewed the medical history, confirmed the condition was fully coverable, and made sure that the full scope of treatment from diagnostics to surgery was supported without delay.
When you’re facing a condition that affects something as fundamental as every breath, there’s no time to waste. We were able to reimburse £1,993.10, giving the family peace of mind so they could focus on helping Sean recover and catch his breath at last.
We know how emotional it can be to see your pet in distress, especially when it’s something as essential as breathing. That’s why we don’t just cover the treatment. We support you through each step from diagnosis to recovery to make sure that you’re able to best care for your pet.
Every easy breath that Sean’s parents now see him take allows them to relax that bit more. And at Napo, we make sure nothing gets in the way of that.