elongated palate surgery

tonyjerry

New member
Apr 13, 2011
7
1
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

 

Alice Kable

New member
Community Veteran
Dec 17, 2010
4,423
281
Joseph, Oregon, United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Ruggles and Buster
Two of my Bulldogs had laser palate surgery at 1 year old. Chester really needed it and I'm sure he lived longer as result. Mack had it also, 2 different vets said he would benefit from it, but I always wondered if it wasn't just a vet trying to "fix" everything on my Bulldog. Both vets said it is much easier on the dog to do it at 1 year old rather than waiting until later. Is Oliver a noisey breather? Chester was very noisey but Mack not at all. Mack and I used to go on 4+ mile walks, too. He is 8 and 1/2 yrs. old now and his spine is fused so our daily walk is a mile+.
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
My only concern about this is having to put him under again. Miila just had hers done but it was also when she got spayed and cherry eye. Was a tough decision for us but made it easier to just do it while we do the rest. I had 3 vets say to have it done too. Nobody has ever said anything about Cuttys, guess his must be good. You just have to go with your gut I think.

Sent from my Android for Telechips TCC8900 Evaluation Board using Tapatalk
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,581
3,673
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
Our boy had it done at around age 2... our vet told us he would eventually need it when he was about 6 months old, but he did not push for it till he was two and we noticed a lot of changes in his breathing --sleep apnea was the big issue for Nitschke. after the procedure, he did great, snoring was lower and the apnea was gone.
 

korikelly

New member
Apr 21, 2011
158
9
Oregon
Bulldog(s) Names
Lola
We are struggling with the same question. Our regular vet said she does have an elongated palate, but we don't notice any of the breathing problems yet. Our vet said it gets worse as they get older, and the surgery is easier when they are young. She is 10 months old now, so we decided to get a second opinion at a year and go from there. My biggest concern is having to go to another vet that we don't know to do the laser surgery (our vet doesn't do that).
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,581
3,673
Gilbertsville, PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Chelios (Frenchie), Nitschke (2004-2011) Banks (2005-2014) and Lambeau (2014-2024)
We are struggling with the same question. Our regular vet said she does have an elongated palate, but we don't notice any of the breathing problems yet. Our vet said it gets worse as they get older, and the surgery is easier when they are young. She is 10 months old now, so we decided to get a second opinion at a year and go from there. My biggest concern is having to go to another vet that we don't know to do the laser surgery (our vet doesn't do that).

I would do the same thing... wait and she how she grows/progresses. It may or may not get worse, each dog is different. Our girl, Banks, does not snore and Dr. Rossi never mentioned her needing any of the procedures that Nitschke did. As for another vet, Nitschke was done by a specialist - our vet was concerned at the level of work needed for our boy and he was more comfortable with the procedure being handled by the right doctor (BTW -- LOVE our vet).

Continue to watch her and make note of any changes -- as you get to know (really know) your dog, you will know when it is time, if it is necessary.
 

ABEBD

New member
Feb 18, 2011
747
78
Phx, Az.
Country
U.S.A.
Bulldog(s) Names
By many names depending on the situation?
Hello,
Based on how much ability Oliver has, I would not suggest the surgery. It certainly doesnt seem to cause much problems if you can go 2 miles or 4 miles.
 

ABEBD

New member
Feb 18, 2011
747
78
Phx, Az.
Country
U.S.A.
Bulldog(s) Names
By many names depending on the situation?
But the laser surgery is MUCH better, easier performed, less evasive.
 

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