Archive for the tag 'Vet'

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 French Bulldog Veterinarian - Frenchie pup with hemis?

admin July 2nd, 2008

Hello. I’m considering purchasing a 5 month old Frenchie boy from a very reputable breeder.

He was just xrayed and he has 2 hemis. The vet says it is no problem and he has no signs of problems.

Should I be concerned? Thank you.

Dr. Lori writes -

No, 2 hemis does not concern me at all. In fact in my book, that is an excellent frenchie spine! The OFA study of frenchie spines shows little evidence to support that hemis have anything to do with the back problems that frenchies can experience, i.e. Intervertebral disk disease.

A better question might be to ask if any familt members have had any back problems.

Good Luck with your puppy and how nice that you have found a breeder who will X-ray pups before they leave!

Lori Hunt, DVM

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Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Bloated Frenchie Puppy

lorihuntdvm June 13th, 2008

   I just brought home the best frenchie puppy ever, Stella, two weeks ago.  She is currently 10 weeks old.  Since our first weekend with her, our vet put her on prescription food  i/d.

She seems to absolutely love it, but gobbles it up soooooooooo fast that she is so bloated aftewards and all she wants to do is lie in my arms and go to sleep.  The bloating seems to go down once she eventually goes to the bathroom, but I feel bad for her tummy after each meal.

Do I need to give her smaller portions (I’m giving what was prescribed)  or figure out a way to slow her down?  Or is this normal?

I also researched that maybe this is related to worms?  Her stools are finally normal so I’m worried to switch her food on her - which we are going to start doing in one week.

Our vet says this is his first frenchie ever - I’m slightly worried and probably should find a new one - we live in NJ.

Dr. Lori writes -

Hi there… sounds like Stella definitely needs her stool checked for parasites.  Quite possible some nasty critter is upsetting her tummy.

Also, I think you need to wean her off the I/D as soon as possible as that is meant to be a short term diet and is not nutritionally balanced for long term use, especially for a puppy.

You could try soaking her kibble (ed note: dry food) with water before feeding her, so that it is already expanded when she eats it, this may help with the bloating.

In Stella’s case, I would consider the use of probiotics (good bacteria) added to her food as this may help her digest it better.  There is also a feeding dish (the Brake Fast Dog Bowl)  available with plastic nodules that stick up and force the dog to eat around them, thus making her slow down.

Good Luck!

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

(editor’s note: You can find a list of French Bulldog experienced veterinarians here. Readers may feel free to add their own to the list) 

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Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Frenchie makes honking noise (reverse sneezing?)

admin June 9th, 2008

Our frenchie, Kabuki, had brachiocephalic surgery last year. They cut her soft palate, and opened up her nostrils to help her breath better.

A couple times she has had these attacks, where she would start choking- almost like gasping for air. we get so panicked because we are unsure of what is really going on. We think she has something stuck in her throat and she can’t get a good breath in.

My fiance would stick his fingers down her throat and she would gag and that would usually do the trick. either dislodge or open up her airway. We are really unsure of what else we could do.

Has anyone else encountered this with their frenchie? We are so afraid that she might have this attack when no one is around. If anyone has any experience with this please let us know.

Dr. Lori writes -
It sounds like Kabuki is doing what we call a “reverse sneeze“. It is fairly common in frenchies and brachycephalic breeds in general and the exact cause is unknown. It sounds and looks awful, but actually causes no long term damage or danger.

I usually cover the dog’s nostrils to force them to open their mouth and clear the airway. Rubbing the throat often helps as well. If it continues or worsens, please do check with your veterinarian, as sometimes their may be an underlying cause or irritation that sets it off (i.e. allergies).

Here is a great video from YouTube of a dog reverse sneezing -



Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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Ask the Veterinarian - French Bulldog with Ruptured Disk

lorihuntdvm May 26th, 2008

Back in December, my 4 and 1/2 yr old Frenchie ruptured a disc in his back. At first he could not use his hind legs at all . After a week or two he was up and has improved to about 85%.

We had him on arthritis meds and they work pretty well. We also went for acupucture, that did not work out. We were told that chances are surgery would not make much of a difference. He is doing pretty well but I am still looking for ways to improve his situation. We were told it could still fuse.

Can you give us any other suggestions to help him?

Dr. Lori Writes -

Your poor little guy!

Sounds like he is managing fairly well without surgery, so that is a good sign.

You may want to try some joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, omega fatty acids, etc.

I currently have one of my dogs on Glycoflex III Chews, which have all of this and then some. This may help provide natural antioxidants and antiinflammatories that may help him cope. Another thing I would highly recommend is hydrotherapy, either by swimming or an underwater treadmill.

Both will help him build muscle without the stress of weight bearing…

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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