DOES MY BULLDOG NEED SURGERY
This should be taken purely as a guide and would be the standard advice given, obviously we are not vets but these are the most common surgery areas where we disagree with the majority of vets.
| CHERRY EYE | Symptom: The gland in the corner of the eye protrudes out from under the third eye lid. Click HERE to view a photo of the condition | Sometimes it goes back in by itself but usually pops back out again. It is rare for a bulldog to get cherry eye after the age of 18 months and sometimes both eyes will come out within days of each other. This does need surgery but don't allow the vet to stitch it back in, it almost always comes back out when the stitches have dissolved. Insist it is snipped out, this breed is already predisposed to dry eye so it it not a valid argument for not snipping it, many bulldogs get dry eye later in life regardless due to blocked tear ducts |
| LIMPING: FRONT LEGS | In puppies under 1 year of age. Often switches legs | The most common cause is due to growth. The rapid growth phase at around 6-12 months of age causes the long bones in the front leg to grow at different rates which in turn pushes the elbow joint out. Do not allow the vet to cut a section from the longer bone, they will catch up when the dog has finished growing and surgery on a growing dog will lead to further problems on the adult dog. reduce exercise until the dog has finished growing |
| LIMPING: BACK LEGS | Symptom: Holding back leg with just the toes touching floor | The most common cause is stretched or snapped cruciate ligament. Insist a dog is crate rested for upto 2 weeks before allowing surgery as a stretched ligament will shrink with strict crate rest. A snapped ligament will need surgery but at least 6 weeks crate rest will be required afterwards so it's always worth trialling a 2 week rest period first. Green Lipped Mussel will help prevent the stifle becoming arthritic. |
| Hip Displacia | This is almost non existent in Bulldogs except in cases where there are no hip sockets. Bulldogs have naturally shallow hip sockets that will look displaced to a vet not used to the breed. | |
| REMOVAL OF EAR CANAL | Symptom: Recurring ear infection, closed or inflamed ear canal | So many vets want to remove the inner ear on dogs with recurring or severe ear infections. We advice this is not done due to the risk of stitching infection in. Instead be extra strict with the ear cleaning and put drops in every day to avoid infection. We hear of too many dogs who's closed ears burst open as the infection has continued to build with not where to escape to. |
| REMOVAL OF TAIL | If you cannot get under a tight tail, if the tail sits in a pocket or is permantley sweaty and infected | This is one instance where amputation of the tail is the best course of action. Click HERE for further information |
| INTERDIGITAL CYSTS | Symptoms: Red lumps that appear between toes or underneath the foot in between the pads | Surgery is the worst thing you can do as the scar tissue will be more prone to infection. Bulldogs that suffer with interdigital cysts will always suffer them and it is better to deal with each one as they arise. Click HERE to see how to deal with this common problem |
| SOFT PALATE | Symptoms: Loud raspy breathing, intolerance of exercise and excitement, regurgitation of food | You bulldog will not need his soft palate shortened purely on the basis that he is a bulldog, only if you can answer yes to one or more of the symptoms should you even consider the surgery. In cases where it is necessary it will help your dog tremendously, but in cases where it is not needed it is an unnecessary risk |
Remember, ensure your vet is competent with bulldogs and anaesthesia, although the risk is not as high as it used to be there is always a risk when any animal is put under a general anaesthetic. Ensure the practice will allocate a nurse to sit with your bulldog whilst he comes out of the anaesthetic in case he is sick whilst still dopey. Click HERE to view our list of bulldog owner recommended vets
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