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Henry | 5 years ago
Hi, I Need All The Advice And Help You Guys Can Give Me. I Have A …

Hi, i need all the advice and help you guys can give me. I have a two-year-old French bulldog and yesterday morning we realized she was a little paralyzed from her hip down she ate and pooped fine. Took her to the emergency room they diagnosed her with IVDD. They told me they need to do surgery on her spine and I can’t afford the surgery process. Is there other options? She’s on steroids and pain medication

Prednisone
Gabapentin
Prazonsin
Please help us she means the world to our family!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I have tons (and tons) of information on my blog and YouTube channel. If you just google my name and ivdd at either of these places you will find loads of advice. Start there. I also think the book below helps many newly diagnosed pup parents.

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Amber | 5 years ago
I Am The Owner Of A 2 Year Old English Bulldog. Last Year His Urethra Prolapsed And …

I am the owner of a 2 year old English Bulldog. Last year his urethra prolapsed and he received a purse string suture and was neutered at the pet ER in Bel Air. The issue resolved itself and he had been doing well until this last week when the urethra prolapsed again. We took him through the Towson pet ER so he could see a surgical specialist. They evaluated him and suggested surgery. After surgery they sent him home to recover and stressed the importance of him staying calm. We stayed by his side, even staying home from work, to ensure that he didn’t do anything to distrupt the healing. We kept him in a play pen and carried him up and down the stairs to potty. Two days after the surgery (and lots of bloody laundry later) we noticed that he was extremely uncomfortable even while on the pain and sedative meds. We also noticed the protrusion of his urethra tissue. We took him back to the surgeon and they confirmed that the urethra has prolapsed and they have recommended that the surgery be performed for a second time (tomorrow). We have ruled out the obvious contributing factors that may cause pressure such as stones, uti, etc. Any thoughts for treatment options moving forward? Are we missing anything? I just want our little guy to start feeling well again! Thank you.

Amber

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    These are really frustrating cases. I’m so sorry about your experience and I empathize completely. I guess my first concern is that we don’t often know why this happens. My second concern is that you are going to repeat the same surgery and it should be assumed the failure has a pretty fair chance of happening again. My preference as the surgeon for cases like these (and they happen to all of us) is to both offer a redo (although I will admit I rarely charge or I charge a nominal redo fee) is to also offer a different surgeon to try over. My concern is that failing twice is an awful big expenditure and a tough explanation as to why I didn’t see that coming. My personal preference is to refer these difficult refractory cases to the vet teaching hospitals. They have faster easier and better access to more minds and more diverse experience. You just can’t get that at a private facility. I use UPenn or va tech vet schools. They are often cheaper and give a broader access to options and experience. I hope this helps. Please let me know what happens. I would love to hear a follow up and I would love to hear about your previous surgery and experience. Especially to add this to our storylines page. It is such a unique case. Very best of luck. Krista.

    1. Amber Post author

      Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions. We will move forward with the second attempt to repair the prolapse despite the low success rate and cost associated. If it is unsuccessful we will need to get another opinion. I hadn’t thought to consult with a vet school and I think that is great advice. I will certainly keep you posted along the way.

  2. Laura

    I want to second Dr. M’s recommendation of a vet school. UPenn is phenomenal – we drove up from Timonium. They couldn’t help my puppy but they literally threw everything they could at him to diagnose his issue, and it was more than the local vets could do.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My French Bulldog Is Scooting, Scratching, And Barking At Butt What Could Be Wrong She…

my french bulldog is scooting, Scratching, and barking at butt what could be wrong she has also developed hives from soap allergy about a week ago could that be the issue

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  1. Kelly Maynard

    could be allergic to flea medicine…

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Pawbly | 8 years ago
French Bulldog Keeps Shivering And Breathing Small Fast Breaths!!!

French bulldog keeps shivering and breathing small fast breaths!!!

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    I’m sorry but there is not enough information to recommend anything other than to treat this as an emergency and recommend that go immediately to the closest vet hospital or your vet.

  2. Maria Simonova

    He is 8 months old. This morning he has vomitted everywhere twice, then later on was very drowsy on his walk. After about 4pm he ate a bowl of food and starting shivering/shaking and breathing small fast breaths. He then stopped shaking a little but has still continuous small faster breaths than usual. What could be the reason this has happened?

  3. Krista Magnifico

    There are literally hundreds of things that can cause this. I’m sorry but an examination is needed to help narrow the long list.

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Ed Burman | 8 years ago
Can I Give My 100 Pound American Bulldog Off The Shelf Glucosamine Chondroitin From Rite…

Can I give my 100 pound American Bulldog off the shelf glucosamine chondroitin from Rite Aid to help her hips and joints?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello Ed,
    I am sorry but the site was down for upgrades. It was down much longer than expected.
    I would always recommend that you stick with a reputable manufacturer like Nutramaxx. Unfortunately these are nutriceuticals, which are not overseen or mandated by the FDA so you are never really sure what you are getting unless you buy a respected brand. Nutramaxx products (most of them) are available OTC. Sorry for the delay

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have An American Bulldog Who Is Almost 2 Years Old. Despite Training, He Is…

I have an American Bulldog who is almost 2 years old. Despite training, he is very aggressive towards other dogs. He was attacked by a pit bull, on our property, before he was a year old and every since will not tolerate any other dogs or any kind of animals for that matter. We have paid quite a bit for training to try and help him socialize but after a while he is back to his old self. No one will board him and we can’t take him anywhere that has a lot of people or other animals. He’s great at home and wonderful with our children, so I am at a loss s to what to do. He also has pretty bad hip problems and is in pain a lot if he gets a lot of exercise. I love him so much, as does my family, but I want to do the right, humane thing. Help.

3 Responses

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  1. Madelyn Fischer

    Hello, as an extreme animal lover, I say no, try to train and comfort as much as you can, but I don’t know you and I can’t tell you what to do. That’s the last case scenario. Good luck!

  2. Madelyn Fischer

    Hi Krista, I totally agree.

  3. Crystal Williams

    We have done two extensive training courses for his aggression . One two week program and one five week, away from home program.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
My Dog Was Breathing Really Hard When I Got Home, Expresses Pain Towards Her Rear…

My dog was breathing really hard when I got home, expresses pain towards her rear end, won’t let me touch her tail, is gassy, threw up earlier and it had a quarter of an unchewed rawhide bone in it, now she’s very lethargic, walking around in pain, her breathing is shallow and is having spasms on her bed, she’s an otherwise healthy 3 and a half year old catahoula American bulldog mix…..

1 Response

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  1. Anonymous

    This sounds like a potential blockage.  Please get your dog to the vet NOW…DO NOT wait on this.  Blockages and obstructions are usually fatal if not handled quickly.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
A Few Months Ago, We Adopted Two Pups From The Same Litter. They Are Blue…

A few months ago, we adopted two pups from the same litter. They are blue heeler/ Victorian bulldog mixes and they are the loves of our lives. Well they got into a few pretty bad fights, and we figured that they were just puppies and were just playing around. Well one day, they got into a HUGE fight to the point that one was dripping blood. From that point on, we have had to keep them separated- one of them is in the cage constantly. This is not fair to us or them, considering they are cattle dogs and shouldn’t ever be confined to such a small area so often. Plus it is nearly impossible to potty train them like this. So now we have two dogs who potty everywhere and fight with one another if they’re ever near each other. We desperately need help!

4 Responses

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  1. PK Dennis

    Sad to say, this if a common occurrence when you adopt two males from the same litter.  Either they grow up to be totally dependent on each other and can never be separated, OR they are in constant contention.  How old are they?  Have they been neutered?  If they are over 6 months old they need to be neutered.  This will help reduce the aggression.  

    However, it is not the cure.  You need to find a behaviorist NOW!  Don’t just pick any dog trainer – look for one that can come to your home and work with you there.  Or one that specializes in aggression cases such as this.  And sad to say – the only answer may be that you have to find one of the boys a new home.  They may have developed such a dislike of each other that they will never live comfortably together.

    You do desperately need help!  But it is far beyond the scope of this forum.  You need hands on help from a professional that can see your dogs and figure out what triggers the aggression.  And in the future – remember – never get 2 puppies at one time!

  2. Ash Scism

    They are almost a year old and have appointments scheduled to get fixed. You response is very insightful, but I do have one issue. One of them is a female. Does this make any difference? Thanks.

  3. Anonymous

    littermate syndrome – the issue you’re experiencing – has nothing to do with sex. it has to do with raising two puppies of the same age together and not giving them time apart for training and socializing.

  4. Anonymous

    and i agree with PK, this NEEDS to be handled at home. anyone giving you further advice online is being reckless. you need someone in your home, watching your dogs interact. until this can happen, continue crating each dog separately and rotating which has freedom in the house. this will help you to keep them safe from each other. every fight will get worse, every interaction will escalate, and you may end up with a dead dog if you continue to allow them to be around each other.

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
Can Someone Please Help And Advise. My 11month Bulldog Walter Woke Out Of His Sleep…

Can someone Please help and advise. My 11month bulldog walter woke out of his sleep tonight and began an intense head bobbing movement- he seemed to be conscious i got him to follow me to his water bowl. This “episode” lasted maybe 3 or 4 mins i give him a small treat and he went back to sleep.. hes just woken and had another bobbing head episode. I read a few pages and give him a lick of sugar and he settled with me tickling his belly… has anyone dealt with this?? Im worried sick.

4 Responses

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  1. julie brader

    Hi Charlotte, I’m also in the UK …we answer questions on here from a lot of countries.

    This episode with Walter needs Veterinary attention. We cannot diagnose on here but this could be anything from a seizure to a mini stroke to something lacking in his blood/diet…..and needs professional assessment to find out what is going on. 

    I hope Walter is ok and try to keep him calm and quiet until you can get him to a Vet later today hopefully. Good luck. 

  2. Olivia Lance

    That video is crazy I have never seen anything like that. Sounds like maybe the calcium tablets might help? I hope he gets better!

  3. Charlotte Allen

    Yes that is excactly as he was doing..he seems his usual gorgeous self today

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Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have 2 Dogs And 3 Cats. One Dog Is An American Bulldog Mix And…

I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. One dog is an American Bulldog mix and the other is a chihuahua rat terrier mix. I’m trying to house train them to behave around the cats, but it’s not going so well with my elderly cat. The 2 young female cats just run upstairs or up the cat tree if they want to avoid the dogs, but my elderly cat can’t really do that, and he just simply moves maybe 5 steps away in the same room, pretty much feeling trapped. When the dogs approach, first he just shuts down, and if the dogs come close, he hisses and bats at the dogs.
Right now there is a cheap baby gate separating his territory (the dining room and kitchen) from the dog room (the living room) but I’d like to make more areas available to him, since he seems to see all other areas as “not his territory.” If taken to any other room, he kicks the person holding him and escapes. (He can’t jump over the baby gate.)
What should I do in this situation? Is there any hope for getting him to be less uneasy around the other animals?

2 Responses

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  1. Annie Yang-Shaffer

    While it’s true that I shouldn’t physically carry him places to see if he likes being in those areas, the point is, if maybe he could see upstairs as a safe place, he would actually have somewhere to run to when he feels threatened by the dogs. I’ve heard that having “cat safe spaces” should help when trying to get cats and dogs used to each other. He definitely does mind a lot when they are in the same room, and I do find him to be afraid. I guess it’s your call though, since I am much newer to cats, so what do I know.

  2. Annie Yang-Shaffer

    Well you see, I’d like to allow the dogs to come and go through the house. Right now, they only are allowed in their crates and in the living room under strict supervision, but always having to do that is very draining. I’d like to have them wander around the house one day just like the humans and cats in my house. But I can’t really do that because the cat-dog relations are an issue… However, if Loki would see upstairs as a safe place to be, maybe he could try hanging out up there. But he doesn’t want to. My question is, how can I make more spaces inviting for him, as an elderly declawed cat? He doesn’t seem to be able to go the cat tree because lack of claws.