Bulldog with resistant pneumonia HELP!!!
Submitted by Joyce on February 17, 2011 - 1:42pmI have an eleven month old bulldog that I bought when he was 3 months old, I immediately noticed he had a sort of gurgly breathing wasent too concerned because he otherwise seemed healthy playful and happy he then popped cherry eye 3 days after i bought him took him to the vet and was refered to an eye surgeon (I didnt want the gland removed) on the very day i saw the surgeon the other eye popped I spoke with him about the dogs "gurgling", but Beau still seemed fine about a month after the successful pocket technique surgery he got very sick, diagnosis was bacterial pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics of some sort since then that is 7 months!!!! I have changed vets for second opinion and he put him on Baytril (other vet had not (there was a culture done as well and the first vet didnt think he needed Baytril) Second vet put him on Baytril and amoxicillin immediately he was on that for 4 weeks and then i took him back for an evaluation, he determined he still sounded a little bit noisy. He kept him on those two meds for one more week. Stopped the Baytril and amoxicillin this past Saturday and 4 days later he is running a temperature and sick again I had been watching him very closely and notified the vet immediately when his temp started to rise. He has put him back on Baytril and amoxicillin for another two weeks. I am at my wits end with all of this I know that sometimes especially with bulldogs it can be hard to get rid of the pneumonia. We love this dog dearly and hate to see this, everytime they take him off of meds, he gets sick again I dont know where to turn. I paid a lot of money for this dog (we think he was infected when we bought him but cant prove it) Breeder wont help. In medical bills alone we are in (so far) about $6000.00. Is there anyone out there that can cure my dog???? Between being in emergency twice and all of the tests vet visits and meds. At one point the first vet was doing CBC tests every 3 days. I felt like he was a guinia pig. If anyone out there can help please please email me. I just want for our baby to be well!!! 7 months and he still is not. We live in Kentucky Peananner@aol.com
Wow,
You have been through it with your puppy!
Baytril is strong stuff and usually knocks back any infection. Talk to your Vet to see if a stronger antibiotic and breathing treatments with a Nebulizer might be beneficial.
Has your Vet evaluated him for a small trachea &/or an elongated soft palate? While these won't cause pneumonia, they can effect his ability to get well due to limiting his breathing capacity. Also consider limiting the carbohydrates in your dog's diet as this can further weaken a dogs' ability to fully oxygenate circulating blood, hindering recovery.
Hope you can find something to help your boy!
I agree with Robin
wholeheartedly. I was wondering about the trachea and pallet also.
Here is a list of bulldog vets in your state. Its really important that the know the breed.
http://www.bulldogsworld.com/health-and-medical/veterinarians/united-states/kentucky
I wish you and your baby the best! I hope he feels better really soon.
bulldog with pneumonia
He does have a small trachea but not abnormal for a bulldog he has been put under sedation twice and both times a size 6 trache tube was used. H had his elongated palate trimmed as well, vet thought it would help and I am sure it has but here we are wtill with pneumonia even sent the special xrays off to a specialist to evaluate the trachea and it was determined that it was small but not abnormal for the breed. Heart was fine as well. We do the nebulizer when ever he gets sick and has to have albuterol to help open the airways still cant seem to get rid of the pneumonia
Question...
Are you boosting his immune system at all? I give 500 mg of Vitamin C daily and my girl who had a critical case of Bronchial Pneumonia as a puppy, has been healthy now for a long time. But she needs that immune system boosted to keep her that way. You could try some vitamins, it may help him shake it once and for all.
Amy and Sophia
Bulldog with pneumonia HELP
I am not doing any supplements but I will certainly try the vitamin c He is about 57 pounds now, do I still do 500 mg once per day? anything else? I do give him probiotic powder in his food.
Hi:-)
I would give 500 mg Vitamin C daily in a tablespoon of yogurt mixed into the food. I give plain, fat free yogurt in each meal...1 tablespoon per. They love it and it helps with digestion, gas issues, etc. You can also start on Salomon oil for skin and coat. That will also provide a little heart health tossed in for good measure:-) I buy my vitamins at Wal-Mart. I get Wild Norwegian Salomon Oil capsules...I put one in with breakfast, just drop the whole pill in and my girls love them!
Amy and Sophia
Bulldog with pneumonia HELP
I am not doing any supplements but I will certainly try the vitamin c He is about 57 pounds now, do I still do 500 mg once per day? anything else? I do give him probiotic powder in his food.