Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs and French bulldogs is typically due to the inhalation of foreign material such as:
- Vomit
- Regurgitation
- Gastric acid reflux
The injury to the lungs is due to the acute inflammation elicited by the foreign material which is often compounded by infection from bacteria present in the inhaled material.
The acute inflamation and infection is life-threatening
Bulldog Aspiration Pneumonia 5 X MUST KNOW
- The most common cause of bulldog aspiration pneumonia is BOAS
- Therefore early repair of bulldog stentoic nares and elongated palate is critical.
- Inhalation of vomit regurgitated food, and gastric acid cause inflammation and infection of the lungs
- Treatment includes oxygen, rest, antiemetics, anti-reflux, and antibiotics
- Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Aspiration Pneumonia Bundles
Members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs SYMPTOMS:
- Breathing difficulties
- Swallowing difficulties
- Coughing, fever
- Discharge from the nasal passages
- Rapid breathing
- Bluish purplish tongue (cyanosis)
- General weakness and intolerance to exercise due to oxygen deprivation.
- Loss of energy and reduced appetite
Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CAUSE
The leading cause of bulldog aspiration pneumonia is untreated bulldog brachycephalic syndrome (BCS)
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
- Stenotic nares
- Elongated soft palate
- Evertated Laryngeal Saccules
- Hypoplastic Trachea
Gastric reflux, retching, and vomiting are caused by with a high vagal tone (vasovagal reflux) assoicated with BOAS.
Bulldog Aspiration Pneumonia / MEGAESOPHAGUS
Megaesophagus is an enlargement of the lower aspect of your bulldog esophagus due to injury of its mucosal lining from the above BCS-induced acidic gastric reflux.
Bulldog Inhalation Pneumonia / OTHER:
Less common are oral, laryngeal, and pharyngeal problems such as
- Laryngeal nerve paralysis: (BOAS)
- Laryngeal collapse: (BOAS)
- Myasthenia gravis: neurological disease
- Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Tumors
Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs / DIAGNOSIS:
EXAM: Physical exam
IMAGING: Chest Radiographs, endoscopy
BLOOD TEST: A complete blood profile
CULTURE & CYTOLOGY: Bacterial culture and cell cytology, via a bronchoalveolar lavage, trans tracheal wash or endoscopy
WARNING: Tests that require sedation or anesthesia like radiographs, endoscopy, BAL, or TTW (a wash or lavage) should be modified or placed on hold till the patient status is improved.
Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TREATMENT:
Severe cases are hospitalized.
Bulldog Pneumonia OXYGEN THERAPY
Oxygen supplementation might be initially required as part of a stabilizing treatment of your French bulldog puppy (oxygen cage or nasal cannula).
Bulldog Pneumonia IV FLUID THERAPY:
IV fluid administration to help maintain hydration and administer drugs.
Bulldog Pneumonia STREED FREE RESTING:
Rest, preferably in a cage, away from other animals, or active children is essential for the speedy recovery of your bulldog puppy.
Aspriation Pneumonia NEBULIZER & COUPAGE:
Nebulization is critical for bulldog puppies with aspiration pneumonia. Alternatively, you can use your shower’s hot water as a steam room.
Bulldog Pneumonia / RX:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Anti-nausea
- Anti-vomit
- Anti-reflux
Bulldog Pneumonia / QUALITY NUTRITION:
Quality Food and quality nutritional support are critical
Bulldog Pneumonia / THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS:
IMMUNE SUPPORT:
GASTROINTESTINAL SUPPORT:
BULLDOG MULTIVITAMINS:
RELA, and CALM:
- V4B Bully StressLess chews
- V4B HEMP Calm & Relax
Aspiration Pneumonia in Bulldogs and French Bulldog SURGERY:
If your bulldog puppy suffers from Brachycephalic Syndrome such as Stenotic Nares and/or Elongated Soft Palate you must have those conditions surgically repaired as soon as possible (as early as 8 months old).
Left untreated those conditions tend to lead to a series of problems that could lead to medical complications like aspiration pneumonia.
Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Aspiration Pneumonia RULE of THUMB:
Pneumonia in bulldog puppies is a serious condition that can lead to critical care hospitalization and several weeks of intense expenssive treatment.
The majority of my bulldog cases with aspiration pneumonia will recover with proper treatment and with the correction of the underlining cause.
Inhalation Pneumonia in Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:
Bulldog Pneumonia CALM & RELAXED:
While recovering you should keep your bulldog primarily indoors, rested, and stress-free.
Bulldog Pneumonia NEBULIZER:
Use a nebulizer daily and then perform coupage (percussion therapy) as it helps to dislodge secretions from your bulldog lungs.
Bulldog Pneumonia COUPAGE:
Coupage can be performed by holding your hands cupped against your bulldog’s chest, and then putting your hands on your bulldog’s chest so that it sounds like a galloping horse.
You should be firm enough to dislodge the secretions from your sick bulldog lungs but gentle enough not to hurt your French bulldog puppy.
Bulldog Pneumonia PRE-OP PREP:
A few hours of fasting before anesthesia is recommended to avoid vomiting and aspiration.
However, the ideal length of the fast is 8 hours, with water up to 2 hours before.
Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Aspiration Pneumonia TIPS WARNINGS:
Bulldog Pneumonia OTC RX WARNING:
Don’t use over-the-counter RX like cough suppressants (the cough is good it helps to remove the “bad stuff” from the lungs)
Bulldog Pneumonia ANTIBIOTICS WARNING:
Don’t stop the antibiotic too soon, usually, 4 weeks duration is required.
Bulldog Pneumonia R/C EXAM:
Recheck chest radiographs should be taken weekly to evaluate your bulldog puppy’s recovery and healing progress
Bulldog Pneumonia ROTATE:
A bulldog with pneumonia should not be left lying on its side in an inactive state for more than two hours.
“An Ounce Of PREVENTION Is Worth A Pound Of CURE”
*This guide was compiled courtesy of Dr. Kraemer, a “must-read” manual for any current or future bully owners