respiratory distress d/t allergies?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Marjorie,
My female bulldog is 7 months old, she is the runt of her litter, 34 lbs, and has a pretty small head.  I have over the past 3-4 months taken her to the vet several times in hopes of some relief for her breathing issue.  Yet they don't seem to have any answers, just "she has allergies."  So I give her Benadryl and it helps, but you don't see the problem coming until it is too late.  Usually I'll notice the breathing difficulties first thing in the morning.  She sounds very "gurgly" and sometimes she may have already thrown up some of that frothy/phlehgmy substance.  She is visibly struggling to breathe.  You can see her trying to suck air in.  Her respirations are very shallow and rapid.  When she was 4 mo. old, the vet referred me to a surgeon, but I didn't take her, b/c she seemed to be getting better.  This is stressful and frustrating b/c I can't identify what seems to be causing this reaction, if it is in fact "allergies," what is she allergic to?  I'll probably take her to the surgeon to get a 3rd opinion and go from there, but wondered what your thoughts are.  Also, is there any harm in giving her Benadryl for an extended period of time, I read that to see ideal benefits, you have to wait 2 weeks.?  Thanks for reading.

ANSWER: Your puppy needs to have her palate resectioned. Find a Bulldog vet with experience in this procedure and you'll find there's a huge difference in your dog.

In the meantime, when she sounds particularly "gurgly" get a squeezy lemon at the grocery store and give her a squirt. Stick the tip of the lemon in the corner of her month and squirt toward the back of her throat. She'll hate it but it will clear out the gunk and give her some relief.

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QUESTION: Thank you, yes I've been doing the lemon juice trick since reading it in one of your earlier posts.  Also, any suggestions about the use of Benadryl on a long term basis?  I'm assuming that if surgery is necessary, she won't be able to go through that until she is at least a yr. old.  Thanks again, you're very helpful and reassuring.

Answer
There's really no reason to use Benadryl as she doesn't have allergies. It dries up the mucus membranes, that's all. It will also make her sleepy which in turn will make her congested. It's a catch 22.

Have her evaluated by a knowledgeable vet. Often this surgery is done younger than a year if the puppy has been in constant distress.