Palate Problem-Need Advice

[L. Cammack]

Lily is now two years old and has started showing symptoms of a palate problem. When she was spayed at six months, my Vet checked her and said she had a little bit of an elongated palate, but it was not something he thought should be corrected at that time, but he did open her nostrils. She has always snored and snorted and breathed heavily after playing or getting excitied, but she would cool down rather quickly, but now that she is grown (weighs 22 pounds) she seems to have gotten worse. Can this get worse as they get older? After playing hard even for a short time, she can't seem to catch her breath and continues to pant and pant and even drool. I read on this forum and other websites that vomiting is a symptom of a palate problem, but Lily never vomits....she just can't breathe. She is a typical Frenchie and loves to play and I don't want to take her play time away from her. Surgery on my baby scares me, but aren't I putting her more at risk by not doing the surgery? Does the surgery cure the problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

Linda located in hot, but beautiful East Texas.

[bullylove]

Lily is now two years old and has started showing symptoms of a palate problem. When she was spayed at six months, my Vet checked her and said she had a little bit of an elongated palate, but it was not something he thought should be corrected at that time, but he did open her nostrils. She has always snored and snorted and breathed heavily after playing or getting excitied, but she would cool down rather quickly, but now that she is grown (weighs 22 pounds) she seems to have gotten worse. Can this get worse as they get older? After playing hard even for a short time, she can't seem to catch her breath and continues to pant and pant and even drool. I read on this forum and other websites that vomiting is a symptom of a palate problem, but Lily never vomits....she just can't breathe. She is a typical Frenchie and loves to play and I don't want to take her play time away from her. Surgery on my baby scares me, but aren't I putting her more at risk by not doing the surgery? Does the surgery cure the problem? Any advice would be appreciated.

Linda located in hot, but beautiful East Texas.


Hi,

Lucky I never had one my self jet, with that problem. But I do know of dog, who have had surgery. And talking to people, tells me, that laser surgery is the best way to go, to correct a palate.
I think you should talk about the option, are offered by your vet.

Good luck
Sabine

[French Queen]

Hi Linda - I know you're scared but can you imagine how Lily is feeling, our dogs feelings & needs should always come before our own.

Have your vet assess Lily again, when we are worried we sometimes forget to ask certain questions, write down everything you want to ask & take it with you.

If an elongated soft palate is not shortened, there is an increased effort to pull air into the compromised airway which puts ongoing stress on the walls of the larynx, in other words sucking them inward which cause further problems, that's why dogs that have not been treated start to sound worse as they get older.

Your vet may have considerable experience with elongated soft palates in frenchies or other brachycephalic breeds & may be perfectly competent to treat your girl, if not then you should be referred to a Vet Hospital with specialists in surgery, anaesthesia & postoperative care.

Naturally you are worried about surgery any Mom would be but modern anaesthetics are so good nowadays the risks are so small. If Lily were mine I wouldn't hesitate but to have it done, she would have a better quality of life.

Good Luck with your little girl

French Queen & the little clowns :)

[L. Cammack]

Thanks French Queen for your reply. After having a meeting with my Vet, I scheduled Lily's surgery for July 1. I must have asked a thousand questions and he answered them all to my satisfaction. I did extensive reading on the subject and knew what to ask. I have also gotten to know him well because he has taken care of my six dogs for over 10 years and I feel confident with him doing the surgery.

I know it is absolutely the best thing I can do for her quality of life. I think she will even rest better at night because she will not be struggling for air. My husband has sleep apnea and wears a breathing machine at night and we have often joked that Lily needs one too.

I always have anxiety anytime any of my Bostons or Frenchies are given anesthesia even if its just for dental. Thanks so much for your kind words. Now, I really do feel that I have made the right decision. :)

Linda, Lily and Maggie (The Frenchies)
Abby, Dixie, Chico and Little Man (The Bostons)

[French Queen]

Hi Linda - let us know how Lily is doing.

Best wishes

French Queen & the little clowns :)