Choking Vs Reverse Sneezing Vs Allergy

[Genkitravels]

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?

[Sares]

I have a frenchie who is 20 months old who has recently developed allergies. I think (and hoping) hers are seasonal, but being so young its hard to tell.

I had her on Zyrtec for a few weeks and that didnt really make a difference. Then Claryntine for another few weeks, that didnt do anything at all. I now have her on Telfast which is make having some difference but still not 100%. But our Vet said trial the different antihistamines for a few weeks each until we find something that works for her long term. I suspect this will need to be an ongoing treatment for the rest of her life. But her allergies do not seem as bad as your Frenchies. mine has itchy feet and sometimes itchy ears which makes me think its from running on the grass.

Maybe for yours it might be something other than grass? could it be something in their diet?

I hope you find an solution to your frenchie's condition! Sounds like one thing is triggering off a whole bunch of other things.

[hankdog]

I've had my bulldog( who is possibly a frenchie cross) operated on for the palate and nasal issues. The surgery is so worth it, he is able to walk for 90 minutes and that dreadful redoing snore is gone. We went through the antihistamines and finally settled on Polaramine, it's not 100% effective but keeps him under control.

[trinabean]

Not a Frenchie, but I do have a brachy breed on antihistamines. He is mainly on them for environmental allergies (though he has food allergies too). He has a tablet 12 hourly, every day, if need be, for the rest of his life. We get them from a dermatologist vet. The tablets are 'Hydroxyzine.'

[~Anne~]

I assume the vet made the diagnoses regarding brachy syndrome whilst your dog was under a GA. Given this, the diagnoses is likely a confirmed one and I would have a soft palate resection and the everted saccules removed.

Dogs who have obstructed airways never get better with breathing. The forcing of air through the airways under exertion can weaken the trachea and exacerbate the problem. In severe cases, the airways can collapse which means no oxygen can be taken in at all.

I have had several pugs operated on for BAOS and each has improved dramatically. It is best caught early. There can be complications if left too late.

[Genkitravels]

Thanks all for your replies. We've been back to the vet and she's now on a weaning dose of methylpred tabs which also includes an anti histamine. She's not back to normal yet but there seems to be slight improvements every day.

[giraffez]

Genkitravels, sorry to hear your frenchie's condition. It must be a hard time you are going through with all the trial and error. Best of luck

I have a frenchie who is 20 months old who has recently developed allergies. I think (and hoping) hers are seasonal, but being so young its hard to tell.

I had her on Zyrtec for a few weeks and that didnt really make a difference. Then Claryntine for another few weeks, that didnt do anything at all. I now have her on Telfast which is make having some difference but still not 100%.

Sares, aren't this human meds? Are they safe for canine consumption? I was told not to use human meds on dogs so I'm curious now with the anti hestimine

[Genkitravels]

Dosages are different dependent on the size of your animal - but the basic drugs can be the same as human meds. Ask your vet. Mine told me loratidine (Claratyne) and promethazine (Phenergan) are fine - just lower doses.

[Sares]

Genkitravels, sorry to hear your frenchie's condition. It must be a hard time you are going through with all the trial and error. Best of luck

I have a frenchie who is 20 months old who has recently developed allergies. I think (and hoping) hers are seasonal, but being so young its hard to tell.

I had her on Zyrtec for a few weeks and that didnt really make a difference. Then Claryntine for another few weeks, that didnt do anything at all. I now have her on Telfast which is make having some difference but still not 100%.

Sares, aren't this human meds? Are they safe for canine consumption? I was told not to use human meds on dogs so I'm curious now with the anti hestimine

Yes these are human meds. I definitely would NEVER give her any meds unless directed by the vet.

Our vet gave us an information sheet on all the different types of antihisthamines and dosages we can try for her and we follow the dosages exactly.