Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Ask the French Bulldog Vet - Cleaning Bat Ears?

admin August 10th, 2008

Hello!
I am a brand new Mom of a little 10 weeks old Frenchie - Maya.
We have quite simple question to ask: How and how often should we clean famous bat ears?
Thanks a lot in advance!

Dr. Lori writes –

I would suggest weekly cleaning with a clean cloth and maybe some Q-tips in all the folds and crevices.  This should suffice so long as she doesn’t have an issue.  It will help prevent infections as well as alert you early if one is starting.  Enjoy your new baby!

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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Ask the Frenchie Vet - Neutering Cryptorchid French Bulldog

admin July 21st, 2008

My puppy is going to be six month this weekend.  I was planning on getting him neutered around this age but he only has one testical.

Can you give me some information on the situation and when is the best time to get him neutered?  I get mixed messages on the age to neuter a frenchie.

Dr. Lori Hunt writes -

It is best to get your particular frenchie neutered sooner rather than later, as he is a cryptorchid, meaning that one testicle is not descended.  That undescended testicle can cause cancer at a much more rapid rate than a testicle that is descended.

Thus in your situation, I recommend neutering him ASAP.  The surgery is only slightly more involved in that the “missing” testicle must be located, either in the inguinal canal or in his abdomen and removed, so he may have two incisions instead of one…

Good Luck with your boy!

Lori Hunt, DVM

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And now, a word from your French Bulldog Experts Admin

admin July 7th, 2008

Wow, we’re all pretty amazed at the responses we’ve gotten in the short time the blog has been up. We’ve had some great questions, and hopefully we’ve helped some of you with your problems.

Here’s a recap of some of the questions we’ve dealt with a few times, in hopes that anyone just arriving here might find some answers -

French Bulldog Skin Conditions

French Bulldog Ears

The main reason for this post, however, is to ask that those of you who’ve written us with some really worrisome conditions let us know how you - and your French Bulldogs! - are doing. We really do worry about you, so hey - write a letter now and then, and let us know how you’re all doing!

You can reach us at frenchbulldogz@gmail.com

Carol, French Bulldog Experts Blog Admin and general Frenchie Geek

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Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Poor Itchy Frenchie Pup

admin June 26th, 2008

I purchased my wonderful Frenchie from Petland in September he is actually a year old today. he is my absolute pride and joy.

I would say probably about 2 or 3 months after we brought Tucker home he started scratching his under belly and we didn’t think anything of it until it became a constant thing. I looked at his stomach and his poor little nipples where black and purple, and so irritated red that I took him to the vet closest to me right away.

She said he was just itchy and to give him a bath.  I took him home and bathed him more often  but still he would wake us up in the night with his thumping.

I then took him to my Grandparents vet, who said to change to his food and put him on benadryl. I did that for a few months and then went back because it hadn’t cleared up.

I ended up getting dog polysporin to rub in his belly, and while it helps to clear it up I still need to know what the problem is so I can eliminate it and not have to keep buying t-shirts for him so he doesn’t stain the furniture.

I ended up taking him to a different Vet across the city and he changed his food again and put him on Vanectyl. P.  I do not like the side effect of that drug at all!!

He now has this red scabby thing in his one ear. I just feel so bad for my little man we have taken away everything all his treats.. I just want to get to the bottom of this for him so he can enjoy his puppy life..

Dr. Lori writes -

It sounds like your frenchie is suffering from a common frenchie ailment, skin atopy.  I have addressed this in an article I wrote on skin issues in frenchies which certainly will give you more info than you may want.

I think you need to visit a veterinary dermatologist.  He/she will probably start with skin scrapings and cultures and will most likely suggest allergy testing.  It will be costly to get to the root of the problem, but sounds like he needs some help, as he is so young and already so uncomfortable, and these things tend to worsen with age, so getting a jump on it now will be so very helpful in the long run.

Good Luck!

Lori Hunt, DVM

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Ask the Veterinarian - French Bulldog with Pyloric Stenosis

lorihuntdvm June 13th, 2008

I am writing in you hopes of getting some help with my little frenchie.  I have an 11 month old female that has been plagued with regurgitation issues from the day I brought her home.  My vet referred me to an internal specialist in my city what diagnosed her with pyloric stenosis…

She  had one procedure to enlarge the opening that failed and two days later they reopened her and removed her pyloris entirely.

It has been 3 months and $8000.00 later and she still regurgitates/belches constantly. The doctor seems to think that he has fixed the problem and said I have no need to come back for any further check ups…and that she may outgrow this.

I am at wits end….I can not imagine that this is okay.  I just weened her off of her motility drug and still have her on pepcid and he wants me to discontinue that in another week. She has managed to put on weight and her energy level is good on most days yet others she seems uncomfortable.

I feed her Prairie lamb and oatmeal food, her stool is semi hard in the beginning but pretty soft at the end.  I do not know what to do at this point….I worry that the regurgitation which now is mostly  a couple of tablespoons of watery fluid sometimes with a piece of food or two will lead to ulcers in her esophagus if this continues.

I have been told to switch her to a raw diet yet I have many reservations about the whole concept, I just don’t know what to do anymore.  It  breaks my heart every day to see this little dog suffer…she regurgitates….it goes up her nose and I know it burns, she then has a fit of reverse sneezing that follows and last for several minutes.

Please if you have any advise for me or know of anyone that could help me I would soooooo appreciate it.  I will continue to give her the best care that I can but my finances are tapped and I am very disappointed that the $8000. is gone and my dog still regurgitates…..the only real difference is that not as much comes up when it happens.

I am sure that you are extremely busy and I so appreciate your time….I hope that when you have a spare moment you might be able to get back with me and help my little “Sprout”….I waited 8 years after the loss of my Akita to get this little girl and I hav had such heartache trying to fix her and get her comfort, I hope that you may have some advice that might help us out.

Dr. Lori writes -
What a mess your poor Sprout has been through.

You may want to consider switching her antacid from pepcid to something else like Cimetidine.  There are several options and one may help more than the other.

I would also consider switching food, and while you may not want to try raw, there are several good kibble options that offer a similar theory or grain feed diet, such as Solid Gold Barking at the Moon, Wellness Core or the newest addition Taste of the Wild.

I would also argue for keeping her on a promotility drug if it is helping her.  They really have no severe side effects and may be beneficial in the long run for her.  I also suggest you have her seen by another specialist in hops they may have other ideas or suggestions, as fresh eyes can sometimes be invaulable.

Good Luck with Sprout, you have my empathy and best wishes!

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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