Archive for the 'French Bulldog Veterinary' Category

Ask the Frenchie Vet - Flying My Frenchie?

admin August 8th, 2008

I live overseas and when I next go to the States I am hoping to rescue a Frenchie.  I am concerned about the long haul flight back though.  Is this something that would raise a red flag to you?

Dr. Lori writes –

I think you could certainly arrange to fly your Frenchie in the cabin with you.  Flying them in cargo can be risky, so if that is something you would do, it is best to really check out the holding cabin to be sure it is temperature controlled.

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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Ask the Frenchie Veterinarian - Snuffling, Snorting and Sniffing

admin August 7th, 2008

This site is so great.  Thank you for everything that you have advised for Stella.  Two questions today:

Something that we’ve been curious about:  Ever since we met Stella she has been making this quiet whimpering sound.  Usually when you pick her up (loves being held, so I don’t think it’s an anxious sound) , but sometimes it’s even when she is just walking around.  We think it’s adorable, but sometimes we wonder if maybe she is in pain, or when we pick her up we are pressing on something that is straining her breathing?  She seems fine, but always makes that noise.

We obviously understand that Frenchies have breathing problems.  But, is there a way to tell if her snorting/snoring is just normal, or if it’s a problem.  We find that certain positions are very bad for her snorting – and she realizes it too.  But is there something we should look for?

Dr. Lori writes –

Sounds like Stella has the usual Frenchie range of communication.  They sure can make some strange, very un-doglike noises!

I have a few that purr a bit when you pick them up… maybe that is what she is doing.  If you could get a video of the noise, it would be very helpful is assessing it.

In answer to the second part of your question, if Stella doesn’t vomit, gag, produce a lot of phlegm, get out of breath quickly, or have trouble eating, she is probably fine.

I have written an article, which you’ll find here.  Have fun with Stella!

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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Ask the Frenchie Vet - Preventative Orthodontics on Puppy

lorihuntdvm July 23rd, 2008

have a 10 1/2 week old french bulldog.  He has a reverse scissor bite but I noticed that his top teeth are digging into the back side of his bottom gums.  Have you seen this before?  I have talked to two different vets.  One said to pull the teeth and that there was a 50% chance that the adult teeth would grow in normal (don’t really understand how pulling the teeth would affect the adult teeth). The other said that since there is no inflammation and that it doesn’t seem to be bothering him then we don’t need to pull them and just hope that the gums/jaw will adjust as he grows to accommodate the top teeth.

What do you think?  Have others had this issue and what have they done?

Dr. Lori writes -

Pulling baby teeth to make room for the adult teeth is known as preventative orthodontics, and can be a very good idea in some cases.  I would have to see him to tell you which way to go.  If he is not going to be shown, and instead will be neutered, I would wait and watch.  He is still quiet young and his bite will do a lot of changing in the next couple of months.

I would say if you still see the issue at 4 or 5 months, to consider pulling them so the adult teeth have a chance to come in in the appropriate positions and not do the same thing as the baby teeth.  You could do this at the same time as his neuter.

Dr. Lori Hunt, DVM

Editor’s note: We recently dealt with a similar issue here

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Frenchie Vet Follow Up - Bloated French Bulldog Puppy

admin July 21st, 2008

I posted two weeks ago about my puppy, Stella, getting so bloated after eating.

It’s two weeks later, and while the bloating is still
there, it is also combined with projectile diarrhea - which basically
looks like yellow split pea soup.  I have had numerous trips to the
vet, we have tried flagyl, amfarol, and now she is on Panacur.

However, no tests have shown anything in her stool.  On our breeders
suggestion, we also have her eating rice, chicken, yogurt.  We are
also giving her some FortiFlora and Nutrical.  Her stools have been
very soft since day 1 (we’ve had her for 4 weeks), but now on this new
diet (it’s been 2 full days), her diarrhea is the worst I’ve ever seen
it.  Her attitude and spirit is still wonderful.  No lethargy, loss of
appetite, or strange behavior.  She doesn’t have any accidents in the
house or in her crate overnight, but when she goes outside, it’s like
an explosion.

She is also constantly scooting her but on the ground
b/c I can only assume it’s irritated.  Any insight?  Our vet has been
great, but only through consulting other vets (he’s never worked with
a Frenchie before).  I just am so upset because I’m afraid I have a
sick puppy and nothing seems to help her.

Advice?

Dr. Lori writes -

It sounds like you are doing all you can, one suggestion I have is to pick one food and stick with it, preferably a bland dry food, as canned foods tend to loosen stool.  It could be all the switching of the food is making it worse.  I am not sure what “tests” have been done on her stool, but if you haven’t done a culture, I would suggest that.  I would definitely keep up with the probiotic.

Although I know the diarrhea is disturbing, from your description she sounds healthy and in good spirits, just loose stools.  Do keep us posted and good luck with her.

Lori Hunt, DVM

We just received this follow up from Stella’s mom -

Hello!!!

She’s sooooo much better.  After a round of Panacur and some Tylosin, she is totally fine.  That was such a scare.

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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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