My French Bulldog has enlarged heart & breathing issues. Is there a cure?

I'm sorry Brownie isn't doing well! It sounds like he has heart disease, which can be common in senior dogs. Unfortunately there is no cure for heart disease, but the symptoms can be managed with medication. The echocardiogram (ultrasound of his heart) will give more information on how his heart is pumping blood and how serious his heart disease is so that a prognosis can be given. This doesn't necessarily mean he will die soon, but it's unfortunately a possibility given his age. Hopefully the heart disease isn't significantly progressed and medication can help him, and the echocardiogram will provide more information. I hope this helps.

Oh my. Poor Brody : (. Because this was repetitive I suspect that your pet may have an underlying heart condition. Compressing his stomach may have inadvertently increased blood flow to the upper part of his body. It's hard to say for sure without examining him and listening to his heart for any murmurs or arrhythmias. Therefore I would recommend taking him in to your vet for a proper examination. He may be able to be managed with medication if he has an underlying heart condition. I hope Brody gets properly treated soon. Best of luck.

This difficulty breathing could be related to his bronchitis, but the conformation of his nostrils and soft palate could be contributing to it as well. Because of his flat face, Jax will have an undersized throat and breathing passages, and when there is inflammation in the airways, it will be even harder for him to breathe. If he's congested, he may need bronchodilator, and you'd have to speak to your vet for a prescription for that. At home, you you can also try using a humidifier or bringing him into the bathroom with the door closed while you take a hot shower - the steam and humidity help to break up congestion and temporarily relieve symptoms associated with respiratory infections. When he's better from the bronchitis, it would be worth a discussion with your vet about his facial conformation. If he has stenotic nares, an elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules, having surgery done to correct this things will help with his breathing in the future.

I agree that Duke heart looks enlarged and it is pushing up on his trachea. I cannot diagnose his condition without doing an exam but with just looking at the X-rays, I would say he definitely has a heart condition. I have heard coughs from heart problems sound very similar to upper respiratory infections. Your vet will be able to put him in some heart medicine to help him. Heart medicine will slow down the progression of heart disease and help him feel better. I hope this helps. I'm sorry for the news!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Winona. I am concerned that she may have an upper respiratory tract infection based on the coughing and nasal discharge. If her symptoms persist, she will need to see her veterinarian. I do not think these are more signs even in her breed. As far as the heart murmur, if it does not resolve by 4-6 months of age, then she will need an echocardiogram. You want to be sure there is not a structural problem. I hope this information helps!

I'd have him seen by a vet tomorrow. He could have a respiratory infection or could be suffering from kennel cough. The vet can diagnose what is causing these symptoms and can treat him for it. As an aside, this could also be normal. He's a French bulldog, and due to their flatter face, they often make many noises like this. Still it's best to have him checked out to be safe. I hope this helps.

If Troy is having breathing difficulties that are directly related to his heart problems, then he likely has pulmonary edema, or fluid in his lungs. This can be treated with the drug Lasix, but it must be carefully dosed under the advice of the veterinarian who is familiar with his case, as it can cause issues with dehydration and kidneys if not properly monitored. It should also be considered whether Troy may be having breathing problems because of his anatomy, as Pugs often have difficulty breathing and can easily overheat in very warm weather.