Our family recently adopted a rescue EB that we've named Bean. This sweet girl was surrendered to a local shelter, and it is believed that she is around 9-12 months old. The rescue noted that her nares were quite tiny, and we can definitely hear her snore and snurgle both awake and asleep. At her first check-up with our primary vet, they noted likely BOAS and referred us to the local bully specialist (who is a bit out of our area) for palate trim/nares procedures. We have an appointment for her BOAS consult in about 2 weeks, but had a scary episode today where she vomited up her food, and then was choking on phlegm for about 2-3 minutes. At one point, she seemed to "black out" but then was up and walking around. We did take her to the ER vet, however, she was fine when we arrived (about 20 mins later) and they referred us back to our primary. We are going to immediately start giving her less food per feeding in a raised bowl with a slow-feeder, but honestly, I'm really shaken up by what occurred. She seems just fine now, however, I did make an appt with her primary vet on Tuesday.
We have had our senior EB, Lulu, for almost 8 years, and have never experienced anything like this with her.
So that I can relax (hopefully) a bit until her BOAS surgery, what recommendations can the community give if this type of episode happens again? I've seen lemon mentioned to help break up the phlegm, are there any other home remedies?
**Nervous Mom in NorCal**
They are adorable!
Itās very common for bulldog and other short nosed breeds to need their soft palate and nostrils opened.
My French Bulldog had the surgery, he would choke/gag and cough and reverse sneeze after 2-5 minutes of play with my other dogs.
He was also snoring more(actually waking me up cause he was so loud), and even a walk, he couldnāt do a 5 minute walk. He was out of break and almost overheated.
Every dog is different for how severe their symptoms are and what symptoms they are having. For example my vet said they often making a gross gasping for air noise in their throat if itās severe.
I was so worried while we waited for his surgery appointment, I didnāt let him play, Kept him calm, no walks(yes that doesnāt sound very good, but it was for his own health-sometimes they will fallover and collapse cause they canāt breathe properly which was my biggest fear and reason for not letting him play until surgery). Also if left untreated they canāt get much air in and also they can get aspiration pneumonia from the palate being so long. My dog also was vomiting way more too, and choking lots.
Also if left untreated it can cause trachea collapse(that I was also very worried about while waiting for his surgery).
Anyways, Surgery made a HUGE difference for my dog. For recovery, he needed soft food for 3-4 weeks while the throat heals so no kibble gets stuck in the stitches or irritating the palate more.
No exercise or play for 4-6 weeks my vet said, short walks but after 4 weeks and 6 weeks they can go back to play and running around(my vet said this and I followed that).
His symptoms are almost non -existent now. He had his surgery done November 2021. BUT sometimes it can grow back cause itās soft tissue. Buts itās 100% worth the surgery if you can and the sooner the better.
Maybe you just got lucky your other bulldog didnāt have these issues.
I would try to keep her calm, and try smaller more frequent meals(that also my vet had us do after surgery too), and the slow feeder raised dish should help.
It sounds like her episode today, could have been her palate blocking her ability to breathe and eat properly, thatās scary.
I would get her in for surgery ASAP if possible.
Yes lemon juice can help with phlegm, Iām not sure if it would help her now if itās caused by the soft palate.
There is some things you can give her while you wait for surgery and also to give her while she is recovering from the surgery.
1 thing I did give him was Adored Beast brand Gut Soothe probiotic which helps soothe any inflammation from the mouth all the way down to the stomach. So I gave that to help prevent anymore vomiting and help soothe inflammation of the throat/soft palate(which I think helped, I also gave it after his surgery too until it was fully healed).
The other thing I gave him was CBD oil which helped with the inflammation, I also gave it until the palate healed after the surgery too, itās helpful to any pain too(which can be a issue after surgery), but I think both these supplements helped with the inflammation. Itās a natural anti inflammatory and anti pain, without side effects like the vet medications(I actually didnāt give the anti inflammatory meds the vet gave me for the inflammation after his surgery as it causes more health issues), and I just gave these 2 products(CBD oil and Adored Beast Brand Gut Soothe probiotic anti inflammatory powder), and also a soft food(raw diet or home cooked, or canned).
What do you feed???
Some foods can cause inflammation which is something to avoid.
sorry for the long response, just wanted to give all the details, and the info on the supplements I gave him that I recommend you try.
Keep me updated on how the vet appointment goes.
