Suggested Anesthesia Protocol for French Bullogs
Disclaimer: I am a practicing small animal veterinarian in Westlake, Ohio. I have a special interest in reproduction and brachycephalic breeds. For almost 15 years, I have been a French bulldog breeder and exhibitor, veterinarian to several hundred regular frenchie patients and I consult worldwide on many French bulldog cases. This is in no way meant to be the only way to anesthetize a frenchie but I hope it will encourage owners to open a dialogue regarding anesthesia with their veterinarians and the idiosyncrasies of our breed.
Respectfully,
Lori Hunt, DVM
www.centerwestanimalhospital.com
No food for 12 hours before surgery. This is crucial. If the dog eats the morning of surgery, cancel the surgery for that day. Vomiting and aspiration can have devastating effects in a Frenchie. In an emergency, it’s possible your dog may have eaten. PLEASE tell your vet this info, as often it may affect how they recover your frenchie.
Recommendations:
Anesthetic Extras(These would be in addition to the optimum anesthetic protocol listed above and are recommended for longer procedures)
Brachycephalic breeds, such as Frenchie, should NEVER be masked down with anesthesia. Masking down is when a mask is placed on an awake or mildly sedated dog’s muzzle. The mask is held in place by restraining the dog. The inhalant, which has a bad smell, is given at high levels. As the dog breaths more and more, he/she gets sleepy. The problem with masking down Frenchies is that they can become very anxious, fight the mask and not breath well. Most Frenchies have problems breathing in the first place, this just makes it worse, which results in lower oxygen levels. Ideally, injectable sedatives are used and an endotracheal tube placed which is then attached to an anesthetic machine. This gives them the optimum oxygen supply.
Rev 3/13
Disclaimer: I am a practicing small animal veterinarian in Westlake, Ohio. I have a special interest in reproduction and brachycephalic breeds. For almost 15 years, I have been a French bulldog breeder and exhibitor, veterinarian to several hundred regular frenchie patients and I consult worldwide on many French bulldog cases. This is in no way meant to be the only way to anesthetize a frenchie but I hope it will encourage owners to open a dialogue regarding anesthesia with their veterinarians and the idiosyncrasies of our breed.
Respectfully,
Lori Hunt, DVM
www.centerwestanimalhospital.com
No food for 12 hours before surgery. This is crucial. If the dog eats the morning of surgery, cancel the surgery for that day. Vomiting and aspiration can have devastating effects in a Frenchie. In an emergency, it’s possible your dog may have eaten. PLEASE tell your vet this info, as often it may affect how they recover your frenchie.
Recommendations:
- Do a clotting time, full blood chemistry work-up and complete blood count before anesthesia.
- Be sure an intravenous catheter will be placed prior to surgery.
- Ideally, all dogs will be administered IV fluids during surgery.
- Chest x-rays prior to surgery are always recommended by me for brachycephalic dogs, especially if the dog has had chronic breathing problems.
- Use propofol induction anesthesia, intubate (place a breathing tube in the trachea) and maintain on gas anesthesia (isoflurane or sevoflurane).
- Ketamine combined with diazepam (Valium)
- Butorphanol (mild sedative for short procedures such as an x-ray) This is also called Torbugesic or Torbutrol
- Dexdomitor (reversible anesthesia/sedative and an excellent choice for pre-anesthetic in place of Ace)
- Thiopental
- Telazol
- Hydromorphone
- Acepromazine (sedative)
- Pentobarbital (injectable anesthesia)
- Xylazine (sedative)
- Halothane (gas anesthesia)
Anesthetic Extras(These would be in addition to the optimum anesthetic protocol listed above and are recommended for longer procedures)
- Famotidine (Pepcid) or ranitidine (Zantac) injection (helps cut down on nausea and post-op vomiting, decreases risk of aspiration)
- Dexamethasone can reduce post-op swelling and make recovery faster in cases where the dog's throat is irritated from the ET tube, when the dog's palate is very long, or following palate surgery. A single injection can be given in these cases.
Brachycephalic breeds, such as Frenchie, should NEVER be masked down with anesthesia. Masking down is when a mask is placed on an awake or mildly sedated dog’s muzzle. The mask is held in place by restraining the dog. The inhalant, which has a bad smell, is given at high levels. As the dog breaths more and more, he/she gets sleepy. The problem with masking down Frenchies is that they can become very anxious, fight the mask and not breath well. Most Frenchies have problems breathing in the first place, this just makes it worse, which results in lower oxygen levels. Ideally, injectable sedatives are used and an endotracheal tube placed which is then attached to an anesthetic machine. This gives them the optimum oxygen supply.
Rev 3/13