If it sounds like your dog is struggling to breath, especially when it has not been doing a lot of exercise, that is not normal and the dog should be looked at by a vet. A dog with breathing problems may also make choking sounds when over excited, and struggle to exercise in hot weather.
This is a clear sign that your dog needs a break. It may not want to take one but it is your job to make it take a break until its breathing recovers.
Complete collapse and loss of consciousness is not unheard of when French bulldogs are over exerted and lacking oxygen, especially in hot weather. To avoid this, try not to over exert your French bulldog on hot days or at all if you know they are already having problems breathing. If you see these symptoms, you should take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. A veterinarian will be able to give the dog emergency oxygen.
Many of these problems are due to the reduced size of the bony cavity of the nose while soft tissue structures, such as the tongue and soft palate, remain the same size. In the French bulldog’s case this means his tongue and soft palate take up too much room and literally choke. Added to this, there are other anatomical problems. The French bulldog has unnaturally narrow nostrils. This makes it difficult for it to draw air in through its nose. This is one reason why the breed pant a lot, because they need to breath through their mouth. [6] X Trustworthy Source American College of Veterinary Surgeons Trade organization responsible for setting standards of surgical excellence for the field of veterinary medicine and promoting safe practices for equine care. Go to source The tongue did not shrink back at the same time the nose shortened, so a large tongue has to fit into a smaller space. This takes up room in the mouth and tends to block the back of the throat. [7] X Trustworthy Source American College of Veterinary Surgeons Trade organization responsible for setting standards of surgical excellence for the field of veterinary medicine and promoting safe practices for equine care. Go to source
Make sure your French bulldog always has access to shade. It should never be left out in full sun. Keeping a French bulldog tied up in the sun can overheat it really quickly, even if it is not exercising. [9] X Research source If you know the day is going to be hot, consider keeping your dog in an air conditioned space.
You can cool an overheated dog down by giving it water to drink and by pouring water on its body. Just make sure that the water is not too cold. It shouldn’t be ice cold, but instead only slightly cold so that it doesn’t shock the dog’s system.
Allowing the dog to drink water will help to keep the dog cool.
Make sure to get the right size harness and fit it to your dog. Follow the directions on the packaging so that the harness is neither too loose nor too tight.
This causes the French bulldog to choke and gasp for breath. Laryngeal saccules also affect breathing. These are tonsil like tissue located just inside the larynx (voice box). Changes in air pressure created by the anatomical changes have the effect of sucking the laryngeal saccules in the way of the trachea, and block it. Also, a hypoplastic trachea impacts breathing. The windpipe of French bulldogs can be much narrower than a normal windpipe. This produces increased resistance to airflow and yet more breathing problems. [11] X Trustworthy Source American College of Veterinary Surgeons Trade organization responsible for setting standards of surgical excellence for the field of veterinary medicine and promoting safe practices for equine care. Go to source
It’s important to discuss whether or not your dog should get surgery with your dog’s veterinarian. Unfortunately, some problems, such as the hypoplastic trachea and a large tongue, cannot be changed with surgery.
The effect of widening the nostrils makes it easier for the dog to breath through its nose.
The aim is to resect (remove) enough so that there is no tissue flapping in the turbulence of the opening to the windpipe.
