The only thing I can add to these responses is to make sure that you use a vet who has experience anesthetizing bulldogs. My own dog has been operated on only at specialized veterinary hospitals--one of which (the University of Pennsylvania) has probably the finest animal anesthesiologists in the world. My regular vet is experienced with bulldogs and has indicated that he knows how to anesthetize them, but I can't recall precisely what he's said and don't want to repeat information that might be confused.

I especially agree with what Elaine said. Don't be overwhelmed into powerlessness. Anesthetizing a bulldog is tricky but the odds are overwhelming that you'll have a good outcome so long as you're sure that the person doing the work knows what he or she is doing. I spent a lot of time putting off treatment for my dog because of fear of anesthesia, and my guess is that prolonging his illness only prolonged my anxiety.

The only thing I can add to these responses is to make sure that you use a vet who has experience anesthetizing bulldogs. My own dog has been operated on only at specialized veterinary hospitals--one of which (the University of Pennsylvania) has probably the finest animal anesthesiologists in the world. My regular vet is experienced with bulldogs and has indicated that he knows how to anesthetize them, but I can't recall precisely what he's said and don't want to repeat information that might be confused.

I especially agree with what Elaine said. Don't be overwhelmed into powerlessness. Anesthetizing a bulldog is tricky but the odds are overwhelming that you'll have a good outcome so long as you're sure that the person doing the work knows what he or she is doing. I spent a lot of time putting off treatment for my dog because of fear of anesthesia, and my guess is that prolonging his illness only prolonged my anxiety.

You need to be specific with your vet regarding which products you will permit to be used, and what NOT. Bulldogs do not generally do well on any injectible anesthesia/tranquilizers such as valium or valium/ketamine. We only want to see Propofol used for rapid induction and then the dog maintained on inhalant (gas) of either isoflurene or sevoflurene. You want get the vets promised word that a technician will remain with the dog while he is in recovery and not leave him alone until he is fully able to lift his head (so incase he vomits she can "tip him forward" and have the vomitus drop out! We all have concerns about bulldogs inhaling vomit and then getting bacterial pneumonia as a result.

So all this should give you support to go ahead, not scare you into inaction. Knowledge is power. PS>if you think he needs a palate evaluation, or anything else checked while he's asleep, be sure that is written into the record on the morning you bring him in.

You need to be specific with your vet regarding which products you will permit to be used, and what NOT. Bulldogs do not generally do well on any injectible anesthesia/tranquilizers such as valium or valium/ketamine. We only want to see Propofol used for rapid induction and then the dog maintained on inhalant (gas) of either isoflurene or sevoflurene. You want get the vets promised word that a technician will remain with the dog while he is in recovery and not leave him alone until he is fully able to lift his head (so incase he vomits she can "tip him forward" and have the vomitus drop out! We all have concerns about bulldogs inhaling vomit and then getting bacterial pneumonia as a result.

So all this should give you support to go ahead, not scare you into inaction. Knowledge is power. PS>if you think he needs a palate evaluation, or anything else checked while he's asleep, be sure that is written into the record on the morning you bring him in.

He would get recurrent ear infections despite the fact that I cleaned them daily (per vet instruction). He got a chemical "burn" from one of the cleaners (yikes!). Finally, after months, we put him under to do a deep cleaning. They found a piece of foreign material in the one really bad ear. After removal, I only had to clean once a week, and he never got another infection. Hope you have a good outcome, too.
Sue is right on with the anesthesia recommendations!

Olivia/Kano/Q-Ball/Ralph

He would get recurrent ear infections despite the fact that I cleaned them daily (per vet instruction). He got a chemical "burn" from one of the cleaners (yikes!). Finally, after months, we put him under to do a deep cleaning. They found a piece of foreign material in the one really bad ear. After removal, I only had to clean once a week, and he never got another infection. Hope you have a good outcome, too.
Sue is right on with the anesthesia recommendations!

Olivia/Kano/Q-Ball/Ralph

His ear infections are probably due to some underlying allergy. Is he on a grain free food or raw diet? Your vet can also take a swab from his ears and also find out if the infection is bacterial or yeast and then prescribe proper ear medication without having to put him under. If it is yeast, you can try zymox HC and get it online without a prescription.

His ear infections are probably due to some underlying allergy. Is he on a grain free food or raw diet? Your vet can also take a swab from his ears and also find out if the infection is bacterial or yeast and then prescribe proper ear medication without having to put him under. If it is yeast, you can try zymox HC and get it online without a prescription.

I went to a dermatologist who specializes in ears. While my boy was on prednisone to get the inflammation down, I was to clean his ears EVERY DAY for 2 weeks. If you do not know the proper way to clean your dogs ears, it is quite simple. Just get a good cleaner. I use K9 liquid health. Pour in ears with a cotton ball at the opening squish around for about 20 seconds. While you are swishing, keep wiping the ear with the cotton ball and you will see debris coming out. Then let you dog shake his head and wipe any excess with cotton ball. Please note that this ear cleanser has genetian violet and stains, so do it in an area you won't mind getting purple on! When I brought him back to the specialist, he did not need a deep cleaning and his ear drums were in tact. Maybe you can suggest to your vet doing this first before having to put him under. Good luck and let us know how everything goes.

I went to a dermatologist who specializes in ears. While my boy was on prednisone to get the inflammation down, I was to clean his ears EVERY DAY for 2 weeks. If you do not know the proper way to clean your dogs ears, it is quite simple. Just get a good cleaner. I use K9 liquid health. Pour in ears with a cotton ball at the opening squish around for about 20 seconds. While you are swishing, keep wiping the ear with the cotton ball and you will see debris coming out. Then let you dog shake his head and wipe any excess with cotton ball. Please note that this ear cleanser has genetian violet and stains, so do it in an area you won't mind getting purple on! When I brought him back to the specialist, he did not need a deep cleaning and his ear drums were in tact. Maybe you can suggest to your vet doing this first before having to put him under. Good luck and let us know how everything goes.

he uses only propofol to knock her out, tubes her and then uses sevoflorane to keep her out during the surgery.

You would never want them to have valium or acepromazine as this would really slow everything down & could be dangerous.

Sue

he uses only propofol to knock her out, tubes her and then uses sevoflorane to keep her out during the surgery.

You would never want them to have valium or acepromazine as this would really slow everything down & could be dangerous.

Sue