My 5 yr old Frenchie has suddenly developed an (unproductive) choking cough and unilateral facial paralysis in the past few days which is on the back of a severe middle ear infection which caused some temporary deafness and balance issues. We've been to the vet every week for the past month trying to get on top of the ear problems but nothing seems to be working. She originally had enrofloxin tabs and then metronidazole tabs as well. Then cephalosporin injection and mometax ear drops. Yesterday she had blood pathology and GA for head X-rays. No blood issues and X-rays show some slight bone changes at her ear base. Her ear drums can only be partially viewed because of narrow ear canals but aren't obviously ruptured. Some more cephalosporin and dexamethasone injected yesterday. The vet says brachycephalic syndrome is causing her choking as her soft palate is elongated and sacs are enlarged and phlegm is getting caught in the back of her esophagus. She has never even snored before so I don't know why it is suddenly a problem now. If an allergy has caused the ear problem and swollen palate will this resolve the swelling and negate the need for surgery in the future? Does anyone have experience with long term use of antihistamines in frenchies? Claryatine (loratidine) seems the obvious choice (to me). I should point out that grass seems to be her allergy trigger even though she has been an indoor dog for the 6 months she has lived with me. What else can we possibly do?