I attended a 3.5 hour international "Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Disease" symposium yesterday, and the propensity for brachycephalic breeds with congenital airway issues to vomit, gag and regurgitate was addressed.
It is estimated that 98% of French Bulldogs with airway disease also have concurrent gastritis-- what happens is that the negative pressure created by the tight nostrils and the elongated soft palate can lead to loosening of the sphincter that separates the esophagus (our "swallow tube") from the stomach.
These bulldogs can be placed on famotidine (Pepcid) and maybe a few other drugs to help with the symptoms, but the airways still need to be surgically corrected if at all possible, and if indicated.
I am a brachycephalic airway surgical "expert" and I love helping these individuals live better lives: After surgery they tend to be more heat tolerant, make less "noise" when breathing, sleep better at night, vomit and regurgitate less often, and have increased ability to exercise.
Please call us for a consult if this applies to your pup.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kimberly Daffner
"Bulldog Expert"
(310) 376-0072
kdaffner@fpcrb.com