HELP! Hypoplastic Trachea with new pup
Submitted by Buzayd on November 30, 2015 - 11:22amHello Bulldog World,
We really need your advice. We live in the Middle East and bought a second bulldog- a beautiful puppy we've called Leo. The day after we brought Leo home, he developed a fever and a cough. The vet told us he has very severe hypoplastic trachea and gave us antibiotics. Leo has been on the meds. for about 10 days and his fever has gone away. However, he still really struggles to breathe. He can barely move, has to keep his nose up, and is constantly coughing and wheezing. I haven't been able to find much reliable info. on the issue. The vet (not a bulldog expert- there are none in the MIddle East that we know of) recommends he perform surgery while another vet suggested euthanasia. The seller has told us to just return the dog and pick another from the litter, but this just doesn't seem right. We are attached to the dog already and are committed to doing everything we can for him. But, we also don't want to see him have to suffer for the rest of his life. Is this something he will eventually outgrow- at least to the point where he can walk and play normally? Which of the aforementioned recommendations should we follow? We don't have a lot of bully resources in the Middle East so thank you so much for your help!
How old is Leo?
When we had Oscar years ago we were told that he had a very small trachea, but he never had any problems with it. I have heard that palate resection, tonsil removal and nare widening can help, but don't think that can all be done to a very young pup. I'm sure his activities will have to be restricted. It's always possible the vet is not familiar with bulldogs and is going for the worst case scenerio. Sending you good thoughts for your boy, I'm sure it's heartbreaking for you.
Hello,Thank you for your
Hello,
Thank you for your response and your support. Leo is exactly 12 weeks old. I've heard that bulldogs sometime "outgrow" the trachea problem once they get a little bigger but again, I'm not sure if this will be a permanent state for him. I hate to see him suffer. Thanks again-- I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.
Your first line leads me to believe....
Your pup may have kennel cough or pneumonia. The day after you brought him home he developed a fever and cough. Vet gave antibiotics and it helped some. I think you need a second opinion for sure, I don't know how limited your veterinarian choices are? If Leo responded to the medicine, he may need a longer dose to shake the upper respiratory issues and that will tell you for sure if he really has hypoplastic trachea issues or upper respiratory issues unrelated to a small trachea.
If it is definitely a small trachea, let him grow some before you have any surgery done. I would try to find a vet who has successfully done several of those surgeries on an English Bulldog if you can. They need different anesthesia than normal dogs, nothing other than isoflurane or sevoflurane should be used, and no acepromazine at all, they do not do well with it and many have died after being given ace. Ask a lot of questions at the vet you chose, and also keep asking them here as well!
I wish you the best...poor little guy...
Amy and Sophia
Thank you!
Dear Amy and Sophia,
Thank you for the helpful guidance and support. We took him back to the same vet after a first round of antibiotics over the course of about 10 days and he still had a fever but there was some improvement. The vet still seemed pessimistic about Leo's future due to the small trachea. We got a second opinion from another vet and she agreed with the first vet- very small trachea and his situation is hopeless. Given that we don't have a bulldog specialist here, we don't think surgery is a good idea. Right now we're leaning toward returning him to the seller, but we're having diffiuclty with thsi because of our attachment and a difficult feeling that we're giving up on the dog. We just can't stand to see him suffer and worry that the situation isn't going to improve. Anyway, thanks again for your assistance- it was very helpful.
I'm sorry:-(
That is a very sad situation for you all. I was hoping it wasn't as bad, but I believe you have found the issue and can go forward with a decision. I know how difficult it must be, but I would probably let him go back to the breeder. You have a lot of money invested that you don't need to lose.
Amy and Sophia
Thank you!
Dear Amy and Sophia,
Thank you for the helpful guidance and support. We took him back to the same vet after a first round of antibiotics over the course of about 10 days and he still had a fever but there was some improvement. The vet still seemed pessimistic about Leo's future due to the small trachea. We got a second opinion from another vet and she agreed with the first vet- very small trachea and his situation is hopeless. Given that we don't have a bulldog specialist here, we don't think surgery is a good idea. Right now we're leaning toward returning him to the seller, but we're having diffiuclty with thsi because of our attachment and a difficult feeling that we're giving up on the dog. We just can't stand to see him suffer and worry that the situation isn't going to improve. Anyway, thanks again for your assistance- it was very helpful.
That's very sad...
Poor little guy. I can understand how attached you are to him, but it sounds like you are faced with the heartbreak of giving him up now or the heartbreak of watching him suffer. So sad for him and your family.