Want to keep your French bulldog happy and healthy? Then you need to know how to prevent respiratory dysfunction!

 Although there is no cure for this disease, there are care and prevention measures you can perform to help your dog minimize symptoms and avoid serious episodes. 

First, make sure your dog is properly vaccinated against respiratory disease! This means taking him to the vet for his annual vaccination and any other vaccinations as indicated by the vaccination schedule. Also, make sure your dog has a healthy, balanced diet, with fresh vegetables and lean meat to get the nutrients he needs. 

Secondly, reducing stress caused by excessive exercise can prevent congestion from progressing from a mild episode to a more severe one. Avoid forcing your bulldog to run long distances, especially if there is a lot of dust and pollen in the air, you can help prevent this by limiting exercise to a few minutes of moderate walking. 

It is also important to wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses and respiratory infections. If you have other dogs in the house, we recommend that all animals be spayed or neutered to avoid contagious diseases. 

Also, to prevent respiratory dysfunction, find a cool, smoke-free place to let your bulldog rest; tobacco smoke excites the lungs and can worsen the symptoms of respiratory dysfunction. If there is smoke in your home, try to keep your dog somewhere else where he will stay away from the smoke. 

Last but not least, have an annual checkup with your veterinarian to check for any signs of respiratory dysfunction in your dog. The vet will check his lungs with a physical exam and perhaps perform some additional tests to monitor them in more detail. 

By following these simple preventative measures you can keep your French bulldog happy and healthy. Use these tips to care for your best friend and say goodbye to respiratory dysfunction. Contact us for more information: 708-637-0511.