CobraCity avatar image

Need suggestions!!

My bulldog is almost 2 and has developed a habit where she eats her paws ... I tell her "No" when I see it but obviously am not around all the time and now I'm noticing discoloration in her paws 

But the biggest thing I've noticed is this gargling phelgm she constantly has now.. I try with the lemon juice but that doesn't seem to work at all.. I'm afraid she's going to choke on her phlegm 

Please any suggestions would be great 

Kathy Chester Newman and Jessa's picture

She probably has some type of allergy...

and that makes her paws itchy.  What do you feed her?  A good quality grain free food helps and watch the treats also.  

CobraCity's picture

I feed her the blue Buffalo

I feed her the blue Buffalo grain free - very strict with treats to maintain her weight but as of lately she just has this constant gargle 

She seems to be fine .. plays / jumps / active but I didn't know if there was another remedy to clear the phlegm 

Kathy Chester Newman and Jessa's picture

Has she been checked by the vet for the phlegm?

At two it's always a possibility that she has an elongatedf palate, they can check that only by sedating them and taking a good look.  We had our girl done when we first got her at five because she was loud and gurgled.  It could also be from allergies.  When you do the lemon juice, you are supposed to squirt a little into the side of their mouth, not straight down the throat.  After the first squirt though, you will probably not get close enough to do it a second time in my experience.  Seven up can also help clear phlegm.  

CobraCity's picture

I've been squirting it

I've been squirting it directly down - thank you I will try in the cheek ...

Hahaha she already knows to take off running when she sees the squeeze bottle 

What about bringing her in the bathroom with the shower and humidity? Someone recommended that along with the sprite on another forum

She has a vet appointment tomorrow

Kathy Chester Newman and Jessa's picture

Let us know what the vet says...

hope all is okay!

CobraCity's picture

(No subject)

CobraCity's picture

Vet says she could have mange

Vet says she could have mange mites - recommended 3 chewables for $90 (seems a bit high)

Also said try not giving her water when she eats to cut back on the phlegm 

Did the vet do a scraping to check for mites?

I wouldn't be giving any pills or dips until I knew for sure.  The drugs are very strong.  I would try a food change.  Phlegm is not normal.  Does this vet see alot of bulldogs?  I would maybe be looking for a new one.  There is a list of vets listed by state on the homepage.

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CobraCity's picture

He did not do any scrapings

He did not do any scrapings for the mites ..Just suggested it and recommended some chewables at $30 a pill in which I declined

Also prescribed Apuquel 16mg for her allergies which I also haven't given her 

He has about 5 bulldogs he sees ..That list on the home page is outdated and I'm not sure if anyone lives in the Rhode island area to suggest another vet

Kathy Chester Newman and Jessa's picture

We have had dogs with demodex and...

they have to be diagnosed with a skin scraping.  The vet will look at the scrape under a microscope and can see how many mites are there and that will determine the treatment.  Also, I would never withhold water from a dog because they had phlegm.  This vet sounds totally incompetent, maybe call around and see if any local vets have bulldog experience thats a little more extensive.  We used to drive an hour for a bulldog vet until we found out the vet a half mile away had a bulldog of her own.  Good luck, hope you find someone to give you answers.  Also, we use apoquel for our girl for allergy itching and she's doing good on it, it can have some side effects though.  If the phlegm is from allergies, apoquel could help.

I was hoping maybe a vet was listed for your state.

Maybe check with a bulldog rescue or bulldog club and see what vets they use.  I hope you can find out what is going on with her.

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karonelaine's picture

I would find another vet

Rescuse are the best place to find a real bulldog Vet. But if they want to just sell you pills without doing any scraping to see what the problem is then I would find another vet. You just don't give these babies any thing a vet said. 

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Karonelaine

karonelaine's picture

I would find another vet

Rescuse are the best place to find a real bulldog Vet. But if they want to just sell you pills without doing any scraping to see what the problem is then I would find another vet. You just don't give these babies any thing a vet said. 

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Karonelaine