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Brittany | 7 months ago
My 18 Month Old Pit Bull American Bulldog Mix , Has A Spot On His Upper Paw That’…

My 18 month old pit bull American bulldog mix , has a spot on his upper paw that’s raised. He licks the spot sometimes. Should I be concerned ?

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  1. Laura

    Licking the spot usually means it’s irritating in some way. I’d absolutely get him to the vet.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It is not possible to diagnose any lesion based on a picture. A diagnosis of a mass is only made after a tissue sample is analyzed by a pathologist. I would see your vet and ask them to give their best guess as to what it is and I would also ask them about the possibility of it being a histiocytoma. Even this is only diagnosed after a biopsy. Let us know what they say.

    1. Brittany Post author

      His appointment is next Wednesday, my heart is breaking in the meantime

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Marie | 8 months ago
Has Anyone Had A Dog Die Of Congestive Heart Failure After Being On A No Grain …

Has anyone had a dog die of congestive heart failure after being on a no grain diet? My American Bulldog had bad allergies to grains and anything w feathers so I kept her diet limited ingredient grain free. She died suddenly of congestive heart failure and I would like to know what to do if your dog needs to be on a restricted diet how do you keep them safe from hear failure. She was only 8 and it broke my heart to lose her. She collapsed right in front of me

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    The answer for this comes in a few parts.
    First, yes, I suspect I have had some patients die from heart failure secondary to grain free diets. These were confirmed as suspected by the cardiologist who saw them after me. So. Yes. I am concerned that grain free contributes detrimentally to heart disease and death.

    Second was heart disease confirmed by your vet? Or a cardiologist? I see far more bulldogs dying from brachycephalic syndrome disease than anything else. By a lot. I had three die this summer from inability to breathe after getting too hot or too overexerted. Unless your dog was diagnosed with a heart condition I suspect it was the head and face that caused the issue and not the heart. That’s just been my experience over 20 years in practice.

    1. Marie Post author

      Is there a way to see Racheal’s syndrome disease coming? I never let her over exert or get too hot. She’s my baby and I guard her health and well being ferociously. I have been called over protective but I want her to be with me as long as possible.

      What are your thoughts on Raw and freeze dried raw diets.? It makes sense to me to feed as close to nature as possible but the diets also scare me – bacterial infections etc.

  2. Laura

    A friend’s golden lost his life to a cardiac event after several years on a grain free diet, confirmed by necropsy that he had a heart attack. The problem with grain-free diets is the substitution of legumes as fillers – this seems to be the contributing factor for dietary DCM. Did you have a necropsy done to verify it was the heart?

    I’m so very sorry. Assuming your dog had dietary DCM, DCM is the absolute worst. We lost our Doberman in the same way, to sudden death, but in her case it’s endemic in the breed and she was diagnosed a little over a year prior. If it’s any consolation, the arrhythmic form of DCM – also called sudden death – does not allow the dog to suffer. It’s over like someone flipped a light switch. I know that’s the form I preferred for my dog – it SUCKED for us, but it was an easy departure for her, and that’s what matters most.

    I would start researching raw, if you have a dog in need of a very restrictive diet that cannot easily be satisfied by mass produced options. Do a L O T of research into raw, as it’s more complicated than feeding a kibble diet.

    1. Marie Post author

      It’s so heartbreaking to lose our fur babies so suddenly. Well anytime to be honest but it’s worse when you can’t prepare. I am sorry for your loss.

      I have been researching raw and freeze dried raw and the decision making is daunting.

  3. Marie Post author

    Many thanks to you both for the responses. My Bunny did die from congestive heart failure confirmed post mortem. It was so chocking when she died. I came in the door, she bounced across the room to greet me and collapsed at my feet. The emergency clinic could do nothing to save her.

    I now have a second American Bulldog and am worried for her as she has allergies as well. I am doing a partial limited ingredient diet and looking at raw or freeze dried raw. But it’s a lot to sift through so it’s a process. I don’t believe Peanuts allergies are food based but environmental. Apoquel sparingly and Cytopoint are keeping things at bay.

    What are your thoughts on giving a taurine supplement to counter the effects of the no grain diets?

    1. Laura

      I would do trials of various proteins to verify the allergies are, in fact, environmental, and then feed a limited ingredient kibble based on that. There are several on the market if you’re in the US. I know someone whose greyhound couldn’t do fish or chicken and did exceedingly well on Natural Balance.

  4. Marie Post author

    Thanks I did 6 months worth of food trial as well as feeding a hypoallergenic Rx diet. It did not change her itching/allergies. Seasonally they seem to be worse and being outside makes them worse. So indoors it is, Apoquel and cytopoint. For now.

    1. Laura

      Ah, sounds environmental for sure. I’d just feed a decent grain inclusive food.

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Tina | 2 years ago
Recommended By Jarrettsville Veterinarian For Krista Magnifico – Requesting A Consult With Dr Author For My 3 Yr …

Recommended by Jarrettsville Veterinarian for Krista Magnifico to request a consult with Dr Author for my 3 yr old intact Female English Bulldog. She is in need of a vulvaplasty due to consistent wetness and bacteria in her urine. Ultrasound is negative for any abnormalities but does confirm large vulva in which urine is pooling. I want to get her spayed while she is under anesthesia since she is a bulldog – looking for someone in the Bel Air, MD area in expertise in this surgery and I hear Dr Author is the best! 410-459-6296 to reach me – Tina

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello
    Please call the clinic at 410-692-6171 and make an appointment with me and we can do an exam on your dog and talk about surgical options. I would be happy to meet you both.

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Nina | 4 years ago
Hello Dr Magnifico I Watched Your Video On Beerus The Cat (Megacolon/ Obstipation) On YouTube! Currently …

Hello Dr Magnifico
I watched your video on Beerus the cat (Megacolon/ Obstipation) on YouTube! Currently my 8 year old English bulldog was diagnosed with megacolon. My dog is my life. The last week I’ve spent $4000 which included a deobstipation. The deobstipation wasn’t successful as there is a hard piece deep in the colon. They stated they removed a good amount but couldn’t reach the hard piece deeper in the colon and he will need two more procedures. I truly can’t afford to spend any more money and I don’t want anything to happen to my dog. Each procedure is about 2500 in the area and that only includes 24 hour care. Right now he is feeling much better but that piece is still in there. I’ve increased his exercise to 2-3 short walks. I’ve also changed his diet. Chicken, very little rice, raw liver, flaxseed, watermelon, blueberries, coconut oil, green beans, carrots and pumpkin. He’s feeling much better and is having diarrhea which I hope is chipping away from that hard piece. Can you recommend anything? Days ago he was vomiting, shaking, couldn’t walk, didn’t eat or drink and was lethargic. It was so scary! I literally would do anything for this dog. But I can’t keep shoveling out thousands of dollars and not get any results. Anything would help, I can’t have anything happen to my boy. You also mentioned to learn how to palpate the abdomen. Can you explain how that is done. Any help or recommendations would be much appreciated. Thank you!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I think that diet and exercise are very important. I also think that monitoring daily for fecal output helps. I also think you need to find a vet who will help you manage this outside of the emergencies. Your dog is going to be very hard to palpate so although I don’t want to discourage trying it’s going to be hard to monitor that way. I would also ask about gi motility agents, laxatives and prescription diets. I am not a raw or homemade diet fan. I just see too many people missing hey ingredients. Also finding a bet who will allow X-rays to monitor might help. I think you also need to start a savings account for surgery down the road. JIC. At my clinic a sun total colectomy is about $3000 and we allow payment plans to pre existing clients.
    I hope this helps.
    Keep us posted.

    1. Nina Post author

      Thank you so much. I was hoping to try this for the next few days since he is having diarrhea where he couldn’t go to the bathroom at all even after the deobstipation. Do you think it’s chipping away at that piece? What is that surgery? Will that make this constipation issue go away?

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Felicia | 4 years ago
My 14 Year Old Boxer Bulldog Mix (probably Pittie) Fractured Her Tibia (confirmed By Vet) But They …

My 14 year old boxer bulldog mix (probably pittie) fractured her tibia (confirmed by vet) but they want 100 bucks a week to change the splint. Can you give me a reference to an accurate how-to video on how to properly wrap it myself? She has a plastic splint that a youtube video called a “quick splint” (see photos). We have rewerapped it two or three times and the first time she got right up and ate a whole bowl of food and put weight on it. The past two times she hasn’t put weight on it and she’s barely eating, only people food. I can tell she’s not happy cause she won’t let me stop touching her. I have no idea what we did the first time that was right vs what I’m doing now that is wrong, but I think there is some slippage happening (see photo of knee joint). I’m making sure to line up the joint and the splint, but when I take it off, it isn’t lined up. How do I prevent slippage? Also, I’m going to wash her before I rewrap, her skin is very dry and she needs conditioner. She also has significant blackheads and chafing- I was going to use the benasoothe shampoo, should I take any other precautions?? I was thinking I would try some clay and apple cider vinegar for the blackheads?? She started licking her leg so I just put a little extra wrap on it so she can’t irritate it. What signs should I look for as an absolute NEED to return to the vet? Swollen toes, what else? Please respond ASAP

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  2. Krista Magnifico

    Here’s my professional 25 years of experience advice. Pay your vet! It’s a very very fair price. I’m guessing that you can not afford surgery so you are going to be lucky to have it heal as it is. You can not manage this alone. You shouldn’t even try. Honesty is the best policy. I tell clients that even with me checking it weekly (often more often than that) the chance for failure is high. Be the pet parent your dog needs and stuck with your vet. Not being hateful. Being brutally honest. For your dogs sake.

    1. Felicia Post author

      I took her in today actually, she was there all day. I renewed her health plan and got her a full workup, and they changed her splint (and tape signed it) and I’m taking her back next week to get it checked. There are some family problems with spending the money because my family doesn’t think it’s worth it, but I put my foot down. She’s 14 and she’s the sweetest dog that’s ever existed, literally the only reason I didn’t commit suicide when I was late teens early twenties. She has absolutely earned it! Thank you for your advice!

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Madison | 4 years ago
My Brother Has A Bulldog And Is Telling Me That The Dog Is Having Trouble Standing. …

My brother has a bulldog and is telling me that the dog is having trouble standing. He dosent eat or drink. When he tries to get up he walks for a few minutes then collapses. He also pants all day. Is there any thing we could do or does anyone know what it is. There isn’t a local vet where he lives but he will take her if that’s the only option.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Please get this dog to a vet immediately. Like now. I’m very worried about heart disease. Anemia. And about a hundred other conditions. All are emergencies.

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Nick | 4 years ago
I Have An 8 Year Old English Bulldog That Has To Have 2 Teeth In His Upper Jaw …

I have an 8 year old English bulldog that has to have 2 teeth in his upper jaw extracted. Are you able to give me an estimate as to how much it would be?

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  1. Sarah

    Jarrettsville vet has their price estimates listed on their website????

    1. Nick Post author

      Thank you! When I called earlier they sent me here. I’ll check that out

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Leslie | 5 years ago
Our 9 Y.o. English Bulldog, Max, Is Experiencing A Very Itchy Face Only On The Right …

Our 9 y.o. English Bulldog, Max, is experiencing a very itchy face only on the right side. He will scratch daily and it sometimes becomes raw. We have moved to Colorado, but have not established a veterinarian here yet. With COVID-19, I do not want to take him out to the vet unless it is the only way to treat this. Is there something I can get online? I have seen great reviews for Coat Defense which, according to reviews, is used successfully for itchy skin on horses, dogs, and cats. Do you have any experience with that product or is there something else that could address both the itchiness and the root of the problem that you might suggest?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    So. Here is the problem. Your pups itch is probably too severe and deep to allow an otc to work well. Also and this is a big one, it is on the face. So you have to be crazy careful about what you use.
    I actually have used this product and it works well. But it cannot be near the eyes or mouth.

    The source is the genetics. Aka the plague of being a bulldog. The answer lies at the vets office. Start there. His history and breed make it important to go earlier than waiting for it to become a deep and difficult infection to treat and resolve.

    Be safe! Hugs to you all!
    Krista

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Cathy | 5 years ago
My English Bulldog Puppy Was Spayed The 10th Of December. Can Benadryl Be Used Instead Of …

My English bulldog puppy was spayed the 10th of December. Can Benadryl be used instead of trazodone? The trazodone doesn’t have that much of an effect on my English bulldog puppy. She is currently taking 150 mg a day. But is still very anxious by not being able to play. She is a jumper and had tons of energy.. We have had a seroma diagnosed just the other day and were told to keep her confined for at least seven more days. It is next to impossible unless we sedate her. These pills are not doing that for her. Please help before my puppy loses her mind. I know Benadryl does help calm her. Could I use that instead of the trazadone?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is a question for your vet. I will add that I do r sedate puppies nor post op. I ask my clients to do low impact games and walks to keep them occupied and content. Or buy a few training books to spend time with them and keep them busy in a productive manner.

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Andrew | 5 years ago
We Believe Our 3 Year Old French Bulldog Has IVDD Related Issue Based On The Exam At …

We believe our 3 year old French bulldog has IVDD related issue based on the exam at the emergency vet tonight.

We want to do everything we can as soon as we can. I spoke to a neurologist who said they won’t see him until he is referred by his primary vet. Just within the last 8 hours of this happening it appears he has loss all use of his hind legs. I’m not quite sure if this sign of paralysis or what I should be looking for. He is panting quite a bit from the pain so I’m assuming the paralysis hasn’t kicked in. We were given two prescriptions to follow through with until we can get him into a doctor on Monday. Is this going to be soon enough? We have pet insurance but also want to be sure it will cover the cost of the surgery if needed.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    In almost all cases you can be referred by any vet you see. So call the ER vat back and ask them to refer you. If they cannot ask for your money back as they are not much help and then find an ER with a specialty referral associated with it. This can be found in almost all large cities and every veterinary teaching hospital. For these cases seeking surgery time is critical. If you are not prepared to have surgery (usually due to cost which in my area is about $7-10,000) talk about starting conservative medical therapy. Good luck. Let me know what happens.