Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff asked 1 month ago
French Bulldog Regurgitating Megaesophagus Due to Gastric Reflux Question
Hello, I have a few questions, and I have heard that Dr. Kraemer is the best when it comes to these things.
We adopted a 6-month-old French Bulldog when he was just 8 weeks old. He is the love of our lives, and we do not know how we ever lived before we had him.
Why is My Bulldog Regurgitating, is it Megaesophagus?
Recently, he started regurgitating his food (not vomiting, regurgitating). After he had done this for 4 days straight and done research online, I was concerned that it may be Megaesophagus.
We didn’t want to take him to his normal local vet because, while he’s a great vet, he isn’t very familiar with this breed. So we took him to another. They did an x-ray and told us everything looked good (normal esophagus, normal nostrils, no blockages, etc.), but that he had an elongated soft palate, causing the issue.
They told us that the problem can be fixed surgically, but that is usually only in extreme cases, and they refer out for the surgery.
Should my Bulldog Have Soft Plate Surgery?
I was interested in the referral because I was familiar with the soft palate problems from researching the breed.
I was interested in the surgery if it was within our budget because I want Yoda to have the best quality of life possible and not have problems down the line due to this issue.
Where Should I Take My Bulldog For Soft Palate Surgery?
I looked up the place they referred me to, and they had horrible reviews, so I started trying to find other vets who did the surgery.
When I found Dr. Kraemer’s glowing reviews, that he was very familiar with bulldog breeds, is affordable, and does this surgery, it was just one of those “THIS IT THE ONE!” kind of moments!
I am emailing because we live in Apple Valley, which is pretty far away. I am hoping that we could get the surgery done at the same time we get Yoda neutered if Dr. Kraemer determines that Yoda is a candidate for the surgery and if the surgery is something that we can afford.
Yoda is doing well now that I have started wetting his food and letting it soak for 15 minutes before feeding him, but I am still concerned because I read that this problem may worsen with age.
I want to have him in our lives as long as possible.
Thank you
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 1 month ago
Bulldog Regurgitating Megaesophagus Due to Gastric Reflux Answer
Dear “Yoda” Dad 🐾,
Thank you. Rescue dads are the real MVPs. Giving this wrinkly Jedi love, medical care, and a safe home? That’s hero stuff.
Now let’s talk bulldog science… in plain English.
Why Megaesophagus Is a Major Health Risk?
Unfortunately megaesophagus is common in English and French Bulldogs.
When the esophagus gets stretched and lazy, food doesn’t move down properly… and instead comes right back up.
That “coming back up” (regurgitation) is not just messy — it’s risky.
Megaesophagus Leading To Pneumonia Risk
⚠️ WARNING: Bulldog Aspiration Pneumonia Due to Retching
If your bulldog is:
- Regurgitating
- Retching
- Vomiting
There is a real risk that food or stomach contents can be inhaled into the lungs and cause life threatening aspiration pneumonia.
Always take coughing, lethargy, fever, or breathing changes seriously.
Why Bulldog Esophagitis is The Root Cause of the Problem?
In many bulldogs, megaesophagus is not a primary condition but develops secondary to chronic esophagitis.
The inflammation is most often caused by repeated exposure of the esophagus to acidic gastric reflux.
Why Bulldogs Suffer From So Much Reflux?
Bulldogs are brachycephalic (short-faced), which often means BOAS:
All of this can increase airway resistance and abdominal pressure.
That pressure interferes with the upper esophageal sphincter, and boom here comes the acid reflux.
Acid reflux cause esophageal inflammation, poor motility all leading to Megaesophagus
What Are Other Causes of Gastric Reflux ?
Though BOAS is the #1 cause of gastric-reflux that leads to esophagitis and megaesophagus, there are other less common causes such as:
#1 Bulldog Megaesophagus Due to Hiatal Hernia:
Hiatal Hernia (part of stomach herniating through the diaphragm into the chest cavity is less common, but important to rule out.
#2 Megaesophagus Due to GERD (Bulldog-style):
Bulldog GERD = stomach acid flowing into the esophagus, leading to inflammation and sometimes megaesophagus.
How to Diagnose Megaesophagus and Hiatal Hernia?
#1 Barium Swallow X-Ray
⚠️ Warning: Never force the barium, always mix it with food and let your bully swallow it naturally.
#2 Endoscopy
For the full VIP backstage tour of the esophagus and stomach
This procedure does require anesthesia.
#3 Soft Palate & Saccules Evaluation
To properly evaluate the soft palate and everted saccules, we need a direct visual exam. ⚠️ Warning: for proper evaluation this only can be done under sedation. No shortcuts here!
How To Prevent Bulldog Reflux, and Megaesophagus?
- Repair BOAS (surgically)
- Blend diet (Prescription Food)
- Slow feeders
- Elevated bowls
- Small meals
- Keep upright 10 minutes after meals ...gravity is your friend.
- 🌿 Supplements Therapeutic Support
Medical Options To Bulldog Reflux
- Promotility medication
- Anti-reflux medication
- Anti-vomit medication
- Sildenafil (Viagra — yes, really — used for motility support in certain cases)
Will Soft Palate Surgery Prevent Megaesophagus and Reflux?
BOAS Alert for Bulldogs & French Bulldogs
BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) isn’t just “noisy breathing.” It is the #1 underlying cause of reflux, esophagitis, and even megaesophagus in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs.
BOAS is the breed’s #1 cause of megaesophagus.
If your Frenchie sounds like:
- A tiny freight train (stertor)
- A squeaky whistle (stridor)
- Struggling during exercise
…it’s not “just being a bulldog.” It is a medical condition and it is treatable.
What Does BOAS Repair Involve?
Think of it as opening up the airway highway:
- Widening the pinched nares
- Shortening an elongated soft palate
- Reducing or removing everted saccules
When we fix the airway, we are not just improving breathing.
We are reducing the excessive negative pressure that contributes to chronic GI damage.
Early intervention almost always leads to better long-term outcomes.
Bulldog and French Bulldog Reflux Bottom Line
Continuous regurgitation is not “just a bulldog thing” that can be ignored, It’s a red flag 🚩.
The earlier we control reflux and inflammation, the lower the risk of aspiration pneumonia, and the better the long-term outcome.
Withe timely prevention Yoda can absolutely master this force.
Please refer to my articles and educational videos to delve deeper into these topics. HERE
