I Give Up On Vets

HoustonBullyLover

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Aug 5, 2014
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Houston, Texas
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Rocky
Took Rocky to an expert Bulldog Vet yesterday. I liked him (the vet) because he was no fluff so to speak but he really didn't give me any answers to Rocky's legs. I talked to him about the consistent soft stool and that I thought I was overfeeding him. He just suggested Science Diet...didn't even ask how much I was feeding him. All he managed to say was that Rocky had flat feet and he should have xrays but then he back tracked and said xrays were really difficult at Rocky's age because they are hard to read due to lots of cartilage blah blah blah. So why would I spend the money on the xrays if they are hard to read and don't always help at this age?

My regular vet was even less help when I took Rocky there the first of August.

I just give up. We're just going to go our own way based on the research we've seen. I'm waiting until he hits around 8-10 months of age. If we don't see any improvements then we'll look at wrapping or maybe braces to turn his feet more inward. It seems the problem is no on knows exactly what the issue is and what the cause is. It could be nutrition at the breeder, flooring at the breeder's kennel, rapid growth, genetics or I've even heard teething. I'm exhausted really.
:confused:

 

Manydogs

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Perhaps you can find an Orthopedic veterinarian. If Rocky's feet need correcting-the time is now when his bones are forming-not at a later date. [MENTION=12557]HoustonBullyLover[/MENTION]
Houston is a large area, and surely there are specialists somewhere.
 
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HoustonBullyLover

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Houston, Texas
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Rocky
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There is an orthopedic vet. $500 to visit him and get xrays. I have 2 kids in college. Its not a good time financially for that visit.
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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This is so frustrating for you I am sure.... I have no experience, but just wanted to send some :hug: and positive thoughts to you all
 

bullmama

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Wow I can feel your frustration and I would also feel the same way. I have had many experiences like that where they so called "specialist" gives you nothing in the end but a big bill to pay, only to have a problem diagnosed by the receptionist at the next vet I went to. Go figure!


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rjisaterp

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I feel your frustration. I like a Vet who explains things and then asks if we have questions. We initially took Jewel to VCA and the vet was a nice guy. We started with them as they had many EB patients. When Jewel came down with a rash, she received an antibiotic and prednisone and we got no explanation. Long story short...Jewel came down with a yeast infection which we new was from the antibiotic after reading the many posts her on EBN. Needless-to-say, we switched vets. Our new vet explains things and then asks if we have questions.

I hope you too find the right vet to address your concerns.
 
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HoustonBullyLover

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Houston, Texas
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Rocky
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Dr Dykeman at Brittmoore. I liked him because he was no nonsense but he went back and forth so much on Rocky's legs it drove me crazy. One minute it was xray the next it was xrays are so hard at this age its hard to tell whats in there, etc etc. He did say that when feeling Rocky's legs they seemed to be fine...no weird bone structure or anything. The soft stool thing he blew off and made me buy a bag of Science Diet as if that was the answer to all my problems. I had to remind him that Rocky should have a vaccination because he was sending me out the door and hadn't even looked at his previous records.

I just can't find anyone who knows exactly what the issue is with the legs. From our research it looks like it is not genetic and there is great potential that he will come out of it; but again that's not a sure thing. I feel like Rocky should have a brace or wrap on his leg but there is a lot of talk websites that when their chest develops the legs come in because they are compensating for the rapid growth / weight by spreading their legs outward to balance. That makes sense to me.

Just a few minutes ago he was in the grass doing a full out run across the yard chasing our other dog so I'm thinking he has potential to grow out of this issue. I just don't like that I have to diagnose and treat myself when I have a city full of vets.
 

agentbunny

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I have researched the internet along with you when you first typed about his feet and it is weird that there is so little information. I also read an article a research group purposefully raised the pups (not bulldogs) on a slippery surface to see if the east/west condition could then be corrected. They found that it could not after the pup passed 4 months.
I think the only person that would be able to help in any real way is a doctor who specializes in bones. I think you need to see the orthopedic specialist.
Seeing a regular vet , even a bulldog vet (which only mean he is familiar with bulldog issues) is like seeing a general practitioner for instead of neurologist for for a pinched nerve. Rocky's problem is not a bulldog issue, it is a bone development issue that needs a bone development vet. If you think $500 now is expensive, the problems that arise after failing to correcting it will be through the roof! Maybe he will grow out of it and hopefully he will. Good luck in whatever you decide.
PS.... don't feed him Science Diet. I have never met a vet who was a nutritionalist.
 
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HoustonBullyLover

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Houston, Texas
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Rocky
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For those of you that apparently are suggesting that I am making a mistake by not going to the orthopedic vet; thanks for your lack of support. Maybe some of you have an endless resource of money but I'm a parent of 5 children with 2 in college and $500 for a visit that most likely will lack clear answers is not something I am in the habit of doing. For you that feel so strongly about it; go ahead and donate to the cause then.

One minute I get from you all go to the vet the next the vet recommends a food and you say to not feed what the vet recommends.

I'm going to delete my ebn account and will no longer use the site.
 

agentbunny

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For those of you that apparently are suggesting that I am making a mistake by not going to the orthopedic vet; thanks for your lack of support. Maybe some of you have an endless resource of money but I'm a parent of 5 children with 2 in college and $500 for a visit that most likely will lack clear answers is not something I am in the habit of doing. For you that feel so strongly about it; go ahead and donate to the cause then.

One minute I get from you all go to the vet the next the vet recommends a food and you say to not feed what the vet recommends.

I'm going to delete my ebn account and will no longer use the site.

Sorry if my post made you feel that way. It was not intended to hurt your feelings. I was under the impression that you were seeking advice, not solely seeking support for your decision. Bulldogs are the most expensive breed to own as far as medical care. Its unfortunate that you want to cut yourself off from a wealth of information that is available on this site, but it is your choice. I wish you and Rocky the best.
 

bullmama

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For those of you that apparently are suggesting that I am making a mistake by not going to the orthopedic vet; thanks for your lack of support. Maybe some of you have an endless resource of money but I'm a parent of 5 children with 2 in college and $500 for a visit that most likely will lack clear answers is not something I am in the habit of doing. For you that feel so strongly about it; go ahead and donate to the cause then.

One minute I get from you all go to the vet the next the vet recommends a food and you say to not feed what the vet recommends.

I'm going to delete my ebn account and will no longer use the site.


I don't think anyone is trying to say you have made any mistakes. All we can do is offer suggestions and support. I think at [MENTION=10206]agentbunny[/MENTION] was saying the only vet who could even give you any real information would be an orthopedic vet, but even then there is really a lack of information on the subject.

I also agree that science diet food is junk, it is made up of mostly poor ingredients- but in many circumstances it can be used to treat issues- but only temporarily.

I do think you are on to something about the weight compensation for the chest and you could also try hobbling him. Google "hobble for horses."

I really feel the members are offering support, not pointing fingers. We are not a judge mental group here like many forums and only want to help.


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Marine91

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May 15, 2013
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Dr Dykeman at Brittmoore. I liked him because he was no nonsense but he went back and forth so much on Rocky's legs it drove me crazy. One minute it was xray the next it was xrays are so hard at this age its hard to tell whats in there, etc etc. He did say that when feeling Rocky's legs they seemed to be fine...no weird bone structure or anything. The soft stool thing he blew off and made me buy a bag of Science Diet as if that was the answer to all my problems. I had to remind him that Rocky should have a vaccination because he was sending me out the door and hadn't even looked at his previous records.

I just can't find anyone who knows exactly what the issue is with the legs. From our research it looks like it is not genetic and there is great potential that he will come out of it; but again that's not a sure thing. I feel like Rocky should have a brace or wrap on his leg but there is a lot of talk websites that when their chest develops the legs come in because they are compensating for the rapid growth / weight by spreading their legs outward to balance. That makes sense to me.

Just a few minutes ago he was in the grass doing a full out run across the yard chasing our other dog so I'm thinking he has potential to grow out of this issue. I just don't like that I have to diagnose and treat myself when I have a city full of vets.

We use the same vet and were there about an hour ago for Harlea's annual check up. Dr. Dikeman is a good bully vet but he is more old school and set in his ways. Normally we see Dr. Kampschmidt or Dr. Barron. More so Dr. Barron as she is a relatively new vet and while she may not have decades of experience with bullies she is open to new and emerging treatments and she has been wonderful for us as she has done a lot of research along the way with the skin issues Harlea has had over the last 7 months. Even when it got to the point of having to look at switching foods to the SD prescription food they sell she listened to us in that we didn't want to use that food and agreed with the food choice we made for the trials. We just love her people skills and genuine love and care she has given to Harlea.

Don't give up on the site yet. Do you have a picture or a video that you can post of him standing or running and playing?
 

Davidh

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We use Dr. Dykeman too and he is a great bully vet, and he is the only one I trust with my bullies. Other vets are OK, but Dykeman knows his stuff.
 

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