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Submitted by tonyjerry on November 30, 2011 - 1:46pm

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Now that Oliver is coming up on his 1st birthday, I've been putting some thought into if he should have elongated palate surgery. His vet who is a bulldog specialist and performed his neutering a couple months ago mentioned that anatomically it looks like he does have an elongated palate. Oliver is able to walk for long distances no problem, we go on 3-4 mile walks on weekends and do about 2 miles on weekdays. I think the cooler weather definitely helps. Running around with other dogs he will be able to go for about 20 minutes or so before we stop play because he's starting to really get out of breath. Doesn't throw up the frothy stuff or ever look like hes not actually getting enough oxygen. I don't think the surgery is very risky and we trust this vet but don't know if we will get anything out of it. If it will make Oliver more comfortable then its no question, I just don't know if it's actually going to make much difference. Any thoughts? Thanks

A few questions

Submitted by Shannon and Winston on November 30, 2011 - 3:25pm.

How does Oliver SOUND when he breathes (both when he's relaxed and when he's excited and playing)? Except when he's sleeping, Winston doesn't make any noises beyond the typical panting (except for those weird reverse sneezes bullies sometimes do)...when he sleeps he does snore, but that doesn't concern me too much :)

A bully I rescued this summer desperately needed her palate trimmed...anything other than laying down and watching people she would snort, and gasp, and gag (no foam puke though). She couldn't walk any further than from the crate to the water bowl without sounding like she was fighting for each gasp of air. She broke my heart with how happy and silly she was, and how much she obviously was struggling... Rescue know her adopter was well off and wanted the surgery and recovery done with her vet and at her home, and that saved rescue from spending the money. Her mom reports that after recovering she's doing very well.

Did your vet say that it looked like it might need to be done in the vague future? Or that he needed it done in the relative close future? Palates do continue to grow throughout the dog's life, so while he might not have issues now he might as he gets older in the (4-5 year range). Did he mention any problems with sedating Oliver, or giving him an airway for surgery? Anything like that? I just wonder why the vet would say something about his palate, when by your account Oliver doesn't seem to be having any problems (and believe me, you will know if he's having problems).

__________________

Shannon and Winston :)

My swimming bully buddy!

A few more things...

Submitted by Shannon and Winston on November 30, 2011 - 3:30pm.

Any surgery with a bully is risky (even with an experienced bully vet) given their anatomy and tendency to have negative reactions to medication.

Also, I think I've actually read on this board that a bully doesn't fully develop and mature (or stop growing) until they're almost 2 years old. I think that's a better age to reconsider palate surgery if Oliver shows signs of an elongated palate.

__________________

Shannon and Winston :)

My swimming bully buddy!

dont fix whats not broke....

Submitted by judy wilson on November 30, 2011 - 4:08pm.

everything you said sounds like a pretty healthy happy bulldog...20 min play no problem....he sounds pretty happy and healthy to me.....to many vets just say get this fixed get that fixed when it does not need to,,,,,

this is just me...i am not a vet...just a bully owner...but it all sounds good to me...and i have 6 monsters....

Agree with Judy

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on November 30, 2011 - 6:12pm.

Unless he is so noisey that you have to turn up the sound of the tv to hear over him or his tongue is turning purple when he is playing after 5 minutes then I would leave well enough alone. You will know when it is something that will require surgery. His breathing will be alarming to you. Not all palette surgeries turn our good, I have a dog that it went very wrong on IMO and she is far louder then she was before the surgery.

Thanks for the replies.

Submitted by tonyjerry on November 30, 2011 - 4:14pm.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I guess I'm kind of looking for symptoms that aren't really there. I just don't really have anything good to compare him with. I think I won't worry about it until atleast next year when we've had a chance to go through another summer and see if anything comes up. Thanks.

Glad to help put you at ease!

Submitted by Shannon and Winston on November 30, 2011 - 4:16pm.

I know how easy it is to talk yourself in to thinking there is something wrong when there isn't anything going on...I'm a paranoid personality like that when it comes to Winston. :)

Don't hesitate to revisit this topic again if you notice any changes, but I do really think you will KNOW if he's having a hard time.

__________________

Shannon and Winston :)

My swimming bully buddy!