Nala’s Journey: Restoring Comfort Through Soft Palate Correction

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Updated Date

Jul 2, 2026

Condition

Soft Palate Hyperplasia

Suspected tracheal collapse. Subtle breathing difficulties. A careful airway examination revealed the true cause: soft palate hyperplasia, corrected surgically to restore Nala’s comfort and energy.

Case Overview

Nala, a 4-year-old Pomeranian, had been struggling with noisy breathing and reduced stamina. Her family was previously told she might have tracheal collapse and even believed she needed surgery for it. Concerned and searching for clarity, they brought Nala to us for a more detailed assessment.

During her examination, it became clear that something didn’t add up. Nala showed none of the typical clinical signs of tracheal collapse. Her breathing pattern suggested another underlying cause, prompting us to investigate further.

Diagnosis & Decision

To pinpoint the issue, we performed a tracheoscopy, a minimally invasive camera examination of the airway.

The findings were definitive:

No tracheal collapse
An elongated soft palate (soft palate hyperplasia) obstructing her airway

This explained her noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, and intermittent respiratory discomfort.

With the correct diagnosis confirmed, Dr. Singh recommended soft palate correction during the same anesthesia.

The Procedure

Nala underwent a soft palate resection, where the excess length of the palate was carefully trimmed to restore proper airflow. The procedure was completed smoothly, resolving the obstruction and allowing Nala to breathe easily again.

The Road to Recovery

Nala’s improvement was almost immediate. Her breathing became quiet and effortless, her energy returned, and her playful personality quickly resurfaced.

Within days, her symptoms had completely resolved, and her quality of life improved dramatically.

“Breathing issues can be misleading, which is why accurate diagnostics are key. Once we identified that Nala didn’t have tracheal collapse and instead had soft palate hyperplasia, we were able to correct the problem effectively. Her recovery has been excellent.”
- Dr. Soheyl Simaei

Nala Today

Nala is now breathing freely, full of energy, and enjoying her daily routines without discomfort. Her story highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and how the right intervention at the right time can completely transform a pet’s life.

The Procedure

The Road to Recovery

Nala’s improvement was almost immediate. Her breathing became quiet and effortless, her energy returned, and her playful personality quickly resurfaced.

Within days, her symptoms had completely resolved, and her quality of life improved dramatically.

“Breathing issues can be misleading, which is why accurate diagnostics are key. Once we identified that Nala didn’t have tracheal collapse and instead had soft palate hyperplasia, we were able to correct the problem effectively. Her recovery has been excellent.”
- Dr. Soheyl Simaei