Bulldogs World

She xxxxxx has a guarantee that includes genetic defects. The funny thing is she wants us to send him to a vet that has lost his license Nortons Ark redmond that has the worst reveiws ever! Wat shud i do? Do I have legal recourse?!?

where the trunk or torso and head are near normal but the limbs are shortened. And like humans with this condition who often have curved, twisted or weak spines, so does the Bulldog, seen in the curved or 'roached' topline.

If you think of the Bulldog as a medium sized breed, per the Bulldog Standard, it's body and limbs are shorter than other medium sized dogs, a Labrador for example. For comparison, other Achondroplastic breeds are; Pug, Boston Terrier, Skye Terrier, Pekinese, Corgi, Dachshund, Basset Hound, PBGV, etc.

The Bulldog's body has been shortened along with the limbs and if you think of the spine as a length of garden hose, what happens when you lay a length of hose on the ground and move the ends closer to each other? The hose will take on a bowed shape (like the Bulldog's curved topline), but if you keep moving the ends closer and closer together, the hose will become kinked or fold over on itself. When it is like this, water won't flow, or flow freely thru it. Same with the brain's messages to the rest of the body via the spine. Other spinal problems that are less severe, but still need to be addressed in a breeding program are Hemi-Vertebra, and unevenly spaced or crowded vertebra.

and I don't imagine it would cost anything much to manage it - I doubt they are going to suggest surgery or anything like that.  There are much worse cases where they have no control at all.  Message Miranda, she has the most experience with this but I think with the right diet and bathroom schedule you may be able to manage this easily.  I wouldn't say you threw your $ away, bulldogs are the sweetest animals on the planet - and yours is just that much more special.  Just think of it as a learning experience. 

I sent you a reply to your private message.  Don't send him back to the breeder, they will put him to sleep. 

For a local contact with SB experience I would talk to Jewlz w/Loving Care Spa in Carnation (google search).  She does a lot of Frenchie and Bulldog rescue and takes on the special need cases.  She is a sweetheart and will help all she can and should be able to provide you with some ideas on how best to handle his needs.  If you decide you want to rehome him she might be able to help you.  She is also the go-to-gal for daycare and overnight boarding if you ever need such. 

I have been trying to find out if Dr. Keith Nortons wife Melissa is actually a licensed vet.  His license is suspended but I'm guessing they operate under her license, but now I'm curious to see if she is actually licensed and I can't find it anywhere online. I'll give my vets office a call in the am if I can't find the answer.

If you have the Norton's evaluate the dog they need to take spine xrays.  Once you pay for them they are yours and you should take them with you and have them evaluated by another vet.

   I'm curious if you had a well puppy exam done by your vet when you purchased him?  How old was he when you picked him up?   A dimple is a good indication of possible SB, did your vet happen to comment on it when his puppy exam was done?  Did you ever mention his lack of bowel control to your vet? 

Don't get down on this. If keeping this pup is something you feel strongly about, there is a lot of information available from those of us who have or have had SB Bullies. It is manageable, just different. He is still the same sweet pup you had before the diagnosis, you just have to adjust your thinking on this a bit. Now, if you think you can't handle having him or it becomes too much for you, there are plenty of us here who can help you with re-homing the little fellow. 

Right now just concentrate on learning all you can about SB and the long term effects and expectations. It isn't the end of the world, it is just an adjustment from a normal healthy puppy to a normal SB puppy:-)