I appreciate your insight.

Not sure where you live but Dr Shaw in Woodstock is the best bullie vet in the MW. There is nothing he doesn't know about our breed. Can diagnose many things w/o even taking xrays (palate issues, ACL, skin conditions due to allergies)

There is also a group of specialists in Wheeling or Deerfield IL. One is an allergist and is fantastic. My mom goes there with her dog.

If you want the numbers to call them, let me know.

Sue and Sumo

http://www.geocities.com/lifewithsumo/

I have been taking Chester to Dr. Navin for many years. He is wonderful and I feel that he really knows bulldogs! Where do you live?

Again, I would strongly suggest you look into the side effects of amitriptyline.

Good luck

Lynn K

I didn't read that you had been there. I agree that it doesn't sound like a training issue. Usually, when mine start being cranky, there is something wrong. I am sure that you will get to the bottom of this. Just hang on, all of my best wishes are with you. I have to take one to the vet today, something with Sammie's eys. It just never ends around here. Again, all of my best,

Grissom has been there twice. IT is about equal distant for us to go to U of I or Lockport. I was wondering if anyone had been to this bullie vet in Lockport. I have a call into the Dr. that saw him at U of I. She is at a conference.

Have you considered asking for a referral to U of I in Champaign-Urbana. I don't think it is that far from Lockport, a few hours. I honestly think that would be my next move. I know from personal experience that if the numbers on some of the tests they do are off, you still have a problem, and they tell you that you don't. Just a thought. I have said before, I will no longer mess around with a vet if I have a problem with what they are saying, and the results are no better. I will insist on a referal, no matter if they like it or not. There comes a point when it isn't about money or anything else. It is all about the dog. I wish you the best.

They are the ones that put him on the meds. I have been looking into the meds, wondering about them.

Dr. Navin has been our bulldog vet for 5 years and 2 bulldogs. We often go into his office and it's like being in bulldog heaven with all the bullies in the waiting room.
Dr. Navin is fantastic. Takes a very conservative track when dealing with problems. Our Bubba had mulitple allergies, entropian, cherry eye, etc.etc. He did 4 eye surgeries on Bubba plus a neuter. Dr. Navin was out of town when a replacement vet sent us to a vet ophthalmologist for Bubba due to dry eye. The eye vet prescribed Ace to calm Bubba for a second eye examine. I stupidly gave it to him without checking with Dr. Navin. Bubba died about an hour after getting the Ace.Dr. Navin was wonderful with us after Bubba's death.
He, of course, is now Porkchop's vet. Thankfully she is healthy and well (so far). I can't recommend him more highly. If you need any other info please email me. I'll do all I can.

Dr Shaw - Woodstock IL ph 815-338-0132. He is the bullie vet.

Dr Richardson - Buffalo Grove IL ph 847-459-7535 x430. He is the allergy specialist.

You may consider calling both and talking to them before you decide whether or not to make an appt.

I know Richardson has helped my mom's dog PJ tremendously when no one else could. She is doing great now and is 8 1/2 yrs old.

Good luck

Sue and Sumo

http://www.geocities.com/lifewithsumo/

I am waiting on a return call from the specialist from U of I. We will then make a decision based on the info we have obtained. I appreciate everyone's help!!!

when we bought Chester our breeder also suggested Dr. Shaw and I do hear wonderful things about him. It was just too far for us to travel. We found Dr. NAvin through a friend that also breeds bullies and we couldn't be happier. Have you spoken with him yet?

Please feel free to e mail me. If you would or feel comfortable, please give your thoughts about how your bully issues were handled or your experiences and my husband and I will make a decision about where we can take them and maybe who could see him the quickest. Thanks in advance

We live in romeoville which is very near lockport. About a half hour north of us right off of route 59 is where we take reuben to the vet. There are 2-3 of their vets that specialize in bullies and the one we use came highly recommended by our breeder. He is in the wheatland animal hospital. It is a little farther than lockport but he is very good. Also to say the one in woodstock is also highly recommended by our breeder for problems or surgery with bullies. Good luck, if you need more information please let me know.

are willing to take Grissom anywhere that will listen to what we have to say and give their best shot at helping him. He is NOT himself and we are looking for direction. Is the number on the bullie vet page? Will we need a referral?

We live in LaSalle County right of Interstate 80.

We live in Ottawa. I am guessing with traffic, maybe 2 hours away. He is the closest bullie vet to us. It is either him or back to U of I. I have a call into the Dr. there.

Is he good with complex problems? I feel we have gotten the blow off from our vet

IVD duck and potato after going to U of I, it is what they recommended. They have done much better on it. They used to be on Science Diet Senstive stomach (Grissom)(vomitting problems) and Large breed puppy for Jake.

I have called U of I to talk to them about the meds

nm

Can effect several organs so I am not sure how your doctor could have gotten correct blood test results.

If it were my dog. I would tell the vet that I want my dog off the meds. This medication cannot be stopped cold turkey.

Have you had him tested for his allergies?

nm

oh crap I have to spell it...

amitriptyline prescribed 9-3-2004 for anxiety and allergies.

It was prescribed by the specialist as he was tearing until bloody his face apart when we would leave the house without him.

She said it would also help with his allergies.

taking it?

reasons for all this "stuff" for lack of a better term. We are inquiring about a bullie vet because we do not know what else to do. We were a bit disappointed when they suggested the trainer because it gave us the impression that they have written it off as a medical problem and consider it a behavior problem. He is on anxiety medication, could it be causing this? I am grasping at straws.

Doesnt sound like he needs to go to a trainer right now. Like I said in the other post, it sounds more medical then behavioral.

Lynn K

Unusual aggressive behavior can be caused by thyroid or lyme disease. I know your vet says his throid is within normal but his unexplained weight gain and "attitude" sounds so much like low thyroid. I know of dogs that tested within range but because of symptoms like weight gain, hair loss etc., the vet put the dog on meds for low thyroid and the dogs completely changed.
Something to consider.

I guess they want us to go for the recent aggression he is displaying, but this is not typical. We are concerned there is an underlying medical problem, but are willing to try. He is usually a very mild mannered bully and listens VERY well. I will gladly answer any questions that would be beneficial to finding out more information. Thanks in advance.

did you have him check for heart problems? the gaining weight could be related to a heart problem. m not really quite sure but in humans, when there is CHF or Congestive Heart Failure, the body bloats up with water (EDEMA) and that could possibly be why he's gained weight?