debbie asked 2 months ago
Why is my Frenchie foaming and hacking? 🫧
I have a small Frenchie who is 1 1/2 years old. He foams at the mouth a lot and has periodic coughing episodes. It is generally when he is overexcited, but it seems to be progressing to more frequent episodes for no reason.
VET #1 KENNEL COUTH & ALLERGY PILLS 💊
I took him to a vet about four months ago, thinking it might be kennel cough. They gave him allergy pills and antibiotics. It didn't go away.
FOOD ALLERGY & ALLERGY TEST:
I gave him a pet intolerance test and he is severely sensitive to carrots, calcium oxide and calcium ascorbate and zinc-sulfate, and moderate sensitive to white rice, so I switched his food to one without those items (about one month ago). It didn't help.
VET #2 ANTIBIOTICS AND AIRWAY SURGERY
I took him to another vet a few months ago and they gave him more antibiotics and it didn't help. They said he was so small that he might need to have surgery to open his breathing airways. I have also tried homeopathic remedies...to no avail. I do not have insurance.
Is there anything I can do? ❓❓❓
Dr. Roy Kraemer Staff answered 2 weeks ago
Answer for Why is my Frenchie foaming and hacking?
Dear Debbie and "Duke", 🐾
The clinical signs you described—including exacerbation during excitement—are consistent with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).
French Bulldog Stenotic Nares
I also noticed in the photo that Duke has stenotic nares (pinched nostrils), a common issue in French Bulldogs.
Fr. Bulldog BOAS Retching and Kennel Cough
BOAS leads to high vagal tone, which can cause retching. From your description, Duke’s "cough" might be stridor rather than a true cough, though many BOAS patients eventually aspirate their retching, hacking, and foam, leading to bronchopneumonia. If possible, I’d like to see a video of the episode to assess it further.
BULLDOG KENNEL COUGH
Kennel cough has a distinct dry, honking sound and typically resolves on its own. For comparison, watch some of my kennel cough videos and read my article on Fr. Bulldog's Kennel Cough.
French Bulldog Food Allergy and Ultimate Testing
Food allergies are unlikely in Duke's case!
Unfortunately, the test you did is not reliable. The only valid test for food allergies is a strict trial on a hypoallergenic diet.
You can refer to my article on Fr. bulldog food allergies for more details.
Empirical Antibiotics For Foaming and Hacking Fr. Bulldog 💉 💊
I do not recommend empirically trialing multiple antibiotics or other medications without clear evidence of an infection.
⚠️ This approach can lead to multidrug resistance, gut dysbiosis, and potential drug reactions.
Dr. Kraemer's Answer for Frenchie Foaming and Hacking? 🩺
➡️ Radiographs (chest, neck, and abdomen): ask for radiographs to be taken to help rule out airway disease, abnormal larynx, and trachea, as well as sliding. hiatal hernia. free to send me the report.
➡️ Laryngeal exam: This requires anesthesia, but since Duke likely needs nares widening, this can be done at the same time. If necessary, palate trimming or other airway corrections can also be addressed at that time.
French Bulldog Specialist Surgon
⚠️ Important: Only proceed with surgery under an experienced bulldog veterinarian who has performed these procedures many times with a high success rate
⚠️ BOAS worsens over time, so timely correction is crucial.
BOAS BULLY THERAPEUTICS:
In the mean time, there are a few precautionary steps you can take
#1 🩺 Minimize excitement—avoid stress and excitement and consider natural calming supplements such as
#2 🩺 Support Gut Health: a quality blend diet and probiotics
#3 🩺 Boost the Immune System:
- V4B Bully Immune Support
Keep me posted, and best of luck!
Dr. Kraemer
Vet4Bulldog
Recommended by Owners Approved by Bulldogs
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