Ask the French Bulldog Experts

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.

Tags: bloating, digestion, French Bulldog food, Frenchie puppy, puppy with upset stomach, Vet, veterinarian

• Dog Food , digestion
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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

Tags: altered, cryptorchid, French Bulldog, neuter, neutering, undescended testicle

• French Bulldog Veterinary , Uncategorized , spay neuter alter
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admin July 20th, 2008

I just took my 5 month-old French Bulldog male Wilbur to the vet to get his last set of shots and for a routine checkup. The vet was very concerned that Wilbur still had 3 of his K9 baby teeth while his adult teeth were almost completely grown in. I haven’t been concerned up until now because I assumed they would just fall out on their own. A few days ago he had all 4 baby K9 teeth, but lost one on his own.

The vet said that it is imperative that we schedule a surgery to remove the baby teeth before they cause gum disease. He said that I will need to leave Wilbur for the entire day and they will put him under anesthesia. I am very hesitant to put my baby under for something as minor as pulling baby teeth, especially because I know how dangerous it can be for short-nosed breeds. Do you think that the baby teeth need to come out immediately and warrart anesthesia?

Are there any other options besides anesthesia? I don’t want to risk his life for something so small!’

Dr. Lori writes -
Retained baby teeth can affect the bite of an adult frenchie by not allowing the adult teeth to come to the appropriate spaces.  This can sometimes result in teeth hitting the roof of the mouth, etc.  However, that being said, I am hesitant to anesthetize him for JUST that.  If he is 5 months old, I suspect he is coming to the age of neutering, which is when I usually recommend to my clients that we remove any retained puppy teeth, since they will already be under anesthetic.

As for other options, there really aren’t any…  other than wiggling those teeth every chance you get and see if you can work them out on their own.

Lori Hunt, DVM

Tags: anaesthesia, French Bull Dog, French Bulldog, Frenchie, puppy teeth, surgery, veterinarian

• French Bulldog Veterinary
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bullmarketfrogs July 19th, 2008

I have a GSD.  He is 1 yr 3 months.  When I got him at 3 months he was on Purina.  I switched him over to what I thought was a better quality dog food:  Solid Gold.  He then started having diaherria.  I then tried Wellness.  Still no success he still had the runs.  When I took him to the vet they put him on the Eukanuba Low Residue.  He is not liking it much is not eating very well.

I am considering moving to Aunt Jeni’s raw (I fed to my other GSD)… Is that a bad idea based upon the fact he is on the ‘perscription’ diet?

Thanks you in advance…

Thank you… They didn’t give me an ‘diagnosis’ other than alot of GSD have digestive issues so they put him on it and the result was positive.

I will do just that slowly transition his food and see if there are any issues.

Again, thank you.   I trully wish there were ‘vets’ that supported the raw diet.  It just makes so much sense.  In reading about the raw diet it said that vets  while in training are not taught about nutrition.  The same is true for large animal vet.

I will definitely keep you apprised.

Tags: BARF diet, benefits of raw diet, Eukanuba, prescription dog food, raw dog food

• Dog Food , French Bulldog Miscellaneous
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gollygear July 18th, 2008

i have a 5 month old frenchie and shes hyper as all get out,she also bites and chews she has a room full of toys i dont want to get rid of her what do u suggest i do

Hope writes -

Puppies don’t know how to “behave” - you have to teach her!

My first suggestion is that you find a good basic obedience class in your area. The best classes and trainers are the ones who teach you how to train your puppy. A good class will give you the skills to take home and practise with your puppy several times a day, a few minutes each time.

Many dog clubs have classes that are open to the public, check the American Kennel Club listing of obedience club to see if there’s one in your area:  http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=obed&display=on

Alternatively, many park districts and dog day-care facilites offer basic obedience classes.

In the meantime, start teaching your puppy to “sit and accept praise.” After a fun play session and a potty break, sit with your puppy on the floor. She should be next to you, facing the same way. Have her sit at your side. If you have to hug her to keep her still, that’s okay. Talk to her calmly and pet her, telling her she’s a good girl, and “good chill” (or whatever word you choose to use). After a few minutes, release her, saying “good job.” Stay calm, and she may just stay next to you, relaxing.

Schedule a few “chill sessions” every day, until she learns that after playtime, it’s time to relax - for both of you.

-Hope

Tags: French Bull Dog, French Bulldog, French Bulldog Training, Frenchie, hyper, hyperactive, puppy

• French Bulldog Training , dog aggression
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