Congestion in the morning
Submitted by Sally's Mom on April 12, 2011 - 12:56amSally is still really congested (has white frothy foam) first thing in the morning. It gets better as the day goes on, but I can't feed her for a couple of hours after she wakes in the morning or she will regurgitate her food, along with the frothy foam. Does anybody else out there have this issue or know someone with this issue? I have tried everything-slow down bowl, raised food dish. She snores really bad all nite, and I think the frothy foam is a result of the snoring. Anybody have any ideas on this theory? I don't think the frothy foam is food or allergy related. Sally is 15 mos now and has been like this since I've had her @ 9 wks. She's had palate surgery. I'm wondering if her nostrils are pinched off, causing her to snore, which causes the foamy congestion. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Deanne
"Still Plays In the Dirt"
What age was her
palete surgery? She was like this at 9 weeks? She may need another palete surgery. The palete can continue to grow. She may need her saccules removed, she may have lung congestion and the beginning of pneumonia. I would suggest you consult I very savy bulldog vet that is very good with palete surgeries.
Have you discussed this with your breeder. I'm sorry but a puppy that has palete problems at that young of an age is mind boggling to me. That breeder needs to re-evaluate their breeding program.
I have found that food can also play a part in the dogs ability to digest and not regurge. When you feed her what does she do after she eats? You may want to crate her for about 15 20 minutes after eating to let her system start to digest the food. Don't let her run around crazy right after eating. What time do you feed her evening meal? Have you tried a snack right before bed. Do you add any yogurt to her food? If you do I would stop it. Not all dogs can tolerate dairy products.
You may also want to have her trach xrayed to rule out a narrow trach.
Just some random thoughts. Good Luck!
She was about 8 mos when she had surgery.
She was spayed at the same time and also had entropion surgery on one eye. Poor little thing! She doesn't have pneumonia. Right after she eats (I feed her small amounts at a time) she paces around and regurges, but only in the morning. I don't let her get crazy and run around after eating. I don't talk to the breeder anymore; we had some heated discussions early on when she started signs of all her health issues. She is a happy, healthy bully now, other than the regurge issue and watery eyes which cause bad tear stains. She is eating TOTW Pacific Stream and gaining weight well. This morning I gave her canned version and she held it down MUCH better than kibble. I may try doing canned in the morning and kibble in the eve. I was giving her a tsp of yogurt in the am, but that didn't help much. She does have a small trachea, which was seen in xray @ 10 wks old. This last eye surgery 2 mos ago they could only use a size 4 or 5 tube (can't remember which one - I believe 4). I really just want to figure out what exactly causes the white frothy foam in her belly!
"Still Plays In the Dirt"
White foam
and froth is all caused from her palete problems and her small trach. A 4 is very tiny.
I will tell you my girl Cleo has had problems with puking and regurging since she had palete surgery around age 2. She had a knee surgery around 1 year and they used an 8 tube. Then a year later they could hardly get a tube down her. Her palete was growing down her throat and my vet said it was the longest and thickest palete he has ever seen. She has been my health nightmare.
I have a theory that the kibble is really hard to digest for these guys and that it actually gets clogged in their throats. My sister has switched Cleo to Natures Varitey raw patties and evidently her puking has ceased.
So you may be on to something with the canned. The raw is similar as canned, lots of moisture in it and easily digested. The patties when thawed are soft and mushy. Kibble is dry, grainy and more difficult to digest. If you go to canned straight, then you will want to give her plenty of raw bones to chew on to help with teeth cleaning and keeping her gums healthy.
You might also want to consider pre-packaged raw. It has totally helped keep my dogs faces clean, tear stain free and their coats are gorgeous. Cleo is thriving on it.
Unfortunately when they have tiny trachs they are just more succeptable to other issues. Regurging, puking and then aspirating are always a concern with these guys. You just have to give them a little more TLC.
Best of Luck!
Thanks for your input! I've been giving Sally Deer Antlers
To chew on and they have been great! They are tough, durable and don't splinter! I agree that kibble is dry and does get clogged in her throat in the am because she has so much slimy froth built up over the night. I am going to see if canned/kibble TOTW works better for her. I am going to take Sally to the vet this week for her bordatella (is this the one that goes up the nose?) and while there I'm going to ask the vet to check her eyes again. They are very watery and I'm not sure if this is due to her entropion issues (she's had surgery 2x for this) or if it's allergies???? Always something with her!
"Still Plays In the Dirt"
Bordatella
They can do the Bordatella via nose or also an injection. The deer antlers are great.
She also might benefit from a humdifier at night, if you haven't already been doing this, especially depending on your climate.
Benadryl
We started our bully on benadryl *50 mg morning and evening for Allergies. He does have a short/thin trach also and is getting treatment for that. He will be on meds forever, but benaryl seems to help his breathing and allergies (if your has allergies). Diego also had pneumonia at 9 wks - that's when we found out about trach and allergies. (6 months old today).
good luck
Jackie Struss-Gonzales
jackie_struss@justex.net