If you’re a savvy pet parent shopping for insurance, you’ve probably been scanning the fine print. You see your Frenchie, Pug, or Bulldog, and then you see a confusing term in your policy: “bilateral condition.”
Your heart sinks. You’re already worried about BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome), and now you’re wondering, “Is BOAS a bilateral condition?” and will this be used to deny your claim?
Let’s clear this up right now. It’s a great question, and understanding the answer is key to protecting your pet and your wallet.
What is a “Bilateral Condition” in Pet Insurance?
First, let’s define the term. In the world of pet insurance, a “bilateral condition” is an issue that affects a paired part of the body. Think of things that come in twos:
- Hips (like hip dysplasia)
- Knees (like cruciate tears or luxating patella)
- Eyes (like cataracts)
The clause exists because if one side is diagnosed with an issue, there’s a very high chance the other side will eventually be affected, too. For instance, if your dog tears its left ACL before you get insurance, the policy will not only exclude the left knee but will also exclude the right knee for the same condition.
So, Is BOAS a Bilateral Condition?
The short, simple answer is: No, not in the way that insurance companies define it.
This is a common point of confusion, but it’s good news for you! BOAS is a syndrome—a collection of problems—that affects your dog’s central airway.
As highlighted by VCA Hospitals, the four main components of BOAS are:
- Stenotic Nares (Narrowed Nostrils): While nostrils are “paired,” this is just one piece of the puzzle and not treated like a limb issue.
- Elongated Soft Palate: This is a single flap of tissue at the back of the throat.
- Everted Laryngeal Saccules: Small pockets of tissue in the larynx (the voice box) that get pulled into the airway.
- Hypoplastic Trachea: A narrowed windpipe.
As you can see, these are primarily central, single-structure problems, not a “left vs. right” issue like hip dysplasia.
Why This Distinction Matters for Your Policy
You can stop worrying about the “bilateral” clause when it comes to BOAS. However, there are two other clauses that are far more important for your flat-faced friend.
1. The Real Hurdle: “Pre-Existing Conditions”
This is the #1 reason a BOAS claim is denied. If your pet shows any signs of BOAS before your policy starts and the waiting periods are over, it will be considered pre-existing and excluded from coverage.
What counts as a sign?
- Vet notes mentioning “snoring” or “stertor” (noisy breathing)
- Gagging or coughing during exercise
- Exercise intolerance
- Diagnosis of “stenotic nares”
This is why it is absolutely critical to insure your dog as a young puppy, before any of these signs have a chance to show up in their medical record.
2. The “Hereditary Conditions” Clause
BOAS is a hereditary and congenital condition—it’s passed down and related to the breed’s structure. You must have a plan that covers these conditions. Based on insights from Nationwide Pet Insurance, most high-quality, comprehensive plans in the US do cover hereditary conditions, as long as they aren’t pre-existing. Cheaper, accident-only, or limited plans may not.
“With pet insurance, what you don’t know can hurt you. Reading the fine print for pre-existing and hereditary clauses is your first line of defense.”
Conclusion: Focus on What Really Matters
While it’s smart to question every part of your policy, you can take a breath—BOAS is not considered a bilateral condition.
Instead of focusing on that term, channel your energy into these two simple steps:
- Find a comprehensive plan that explicitly covers hereditary conditions.
- Enroll your puppy immediately, before any clinical signs of breathing issues can be noted by a vet.
By doing this, you’re taking the single best step to ensure that if your dog ever needs help breathing, your insurance will be there to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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1. What is a common example of a bilateral condition in dogs?
The most common examples are hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament (ACL/CCL) tears. If one knee or hip is affected, the other is automatically excluded by the bilateral clause.
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2. But aren’t a dog’s nostrils (stenotic nares) bilateral?
Technically yes, but they aren’t treated like a bilateral limb issue in an insurance policy. They are considered one component of the overall BOAS syndrome, which is a condition of the airway.
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3. What’s more important than bilateral clauses for BOAS coverage?
The “pre-existing condition” clause and the “hereditary condition” coverage clause. These two will determine if BOAS is covered.
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4. Can I get BOAS coverage if my vet has already noted “mild snoring”?
It’s very unlikely. That note in the medical record is a clinical sign of BOAS, which would make the entire syndrome a pre-existing condition.
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5. Do all pet insurance companies cover hereditary conditions?
No, but most major, reputable providers in the United States do include it in their standard comprehensive plans. Always read the policy details to confirm.