Recommendations on Soft Palate Surgery for Zeus

GUnnith345

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May 29, 2012
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Zeus
Hi everyone, we were hoping to get some recommendations/opinions on soft palate surgery for Zeus. We've had a several warm stretches up in New York (i.e. 80+) and we've been pretty careful with Zeus and limiting his time outside. However we did have a brief incident with him one day where his normal panting escalated to one that was extremely loud and raspy (almost like a rapid succession of clicking). We know this is a normal bully issue but it concerned us about his ability to breath and cool down.

With respect to his airways, his nostrils are sufficiently wide and an x-ray showed that his trachea size is normal. We are wondering if an elongated soft palate is restricting his breathing and whether he might benefit from the surgery. Sounds like they'll need to sedate even to get a look. He's already had cherry eye surgery, I'd hate to put him through all of that without there being a good chance of a significant life long benefit for him.

Here's some additional background if it helps. Zeus is generally a very excitable pup. Putting on his harness alone starts him panting or he pants almost the entire time while taking a car ride (possibly his favorite thing in the world). I'm not sure if his inability to calm down after getting excited is a sign that he might have some difficulty getting enough air. I know some people mentioned frequent mucus vomiting as a sign of an elongated palate. This has very rarely happened with him but he does do this thing where it looks like he's clearing his throat. Also, he's not an excessive snorer, and in some positions he's fairly quiet. Only when he sleeps upside down with his head off the edge of his bed does he get really loud.

Anyway, we'd love any specific advice/recommendations. I've tried to do as much reading on here and elsewhere about the surgery and symptoms but I'd love to hear any additional stories on experiences, benefits and/or drawbacks. Also, do you think there's any harm in having him sedated just to take a look?
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
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419
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forgive me if I missed it but did the vet say he had an elongated pallet? They were able to see that Miila needed the surgery just by looking. Actually had 3 diff vets tell me the same thing so I knew for certain it was a problem that should be fixed. Are you planning on fixing zeus? I would talk to the vet and get his opinion and see if it is something they think necessary to do now or can wait until neutering. Even get a 2nd opinion if you arent sure. The surgery I believe is really not much but putting them under is always a concern and minimizing how many times he has to be under is best for him by far.
 
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GUnnith345

GUnnith345

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Zeus
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Thanks. Nope, our vet tried taking a look but Zeus isn't accommodating when having his mouth explored. Given all the mucus back there, when he did look they weren't able to see much. It looks like our vets preferred approach is to put him under, inspect the palate thoroughly and then do the surgery if he has the issue. Based on what you've said maybe they should be able to tell just by looking. Did they check out Miila's palate because of any issues, or was it just part of a checkup?

We're still deciding on whether to neuter him but if we decided to do it we were hoping to do it at 18 months. Like you said, we would definitely do both at the same time.
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Thanks. Nope, our vet tried taking a look but Zeus isn't accommodating when having his mouth explored. Given all the mucus back there, when he did look they weren't able to see much. It looks like our vets preferred approach is to put him under, inspect the palate thoroughly and then do the surgery if he has the issue. Based on what you've said maybe they should be able to tell just by looking. Did they check out Miila's palate because of any issues, or was it just part of a checkup?

We're still deciding on whether to neuter him but if we decided to do it we were hoping to do it at 18 months. Like you said, we would definitely do both at the same time.

They were just looking her over as a basic check up. When we first got her I took her to a bully vet for her initial exam then had to take my other 2 to my regular vet for anals and nails so she went and had him look, he said the same thing. I didnt realize that sometimes they have to be sedated to look. Is your vet a bully specific vet? You might wanna go to a 2nd vet for another look with a bully vet if not. That way if they agree on sedation etc you will feel more comfortable with making that decision knowing they really know how to handle the short nose pups.
 

Davidh

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Get yourself a good bully vet unless your vet is already, but if he cannot see back there, you may get a second option. Does he have a hard tie eating food too? If not and he doesn't snore that bad he may not have one, but I sure would want a good bully vet to see.
 

2BullyMama

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Our boy, Nitshcke had to have this done and our vet knew just by looking at it when he was about 10 months old. We did the surgery when he was about 2 as our vet felt it was not a serious issue until he was full grown
 

bullmama

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There is two pallettes I believe. Whenever I have a pup checked they say the short or soft pallet (not sure the exact term) looks great but in order to see the long one they need to sedate. Now if the regular one is too long then there is certainly an issue I am guessing in millas case it was apparent.


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bullmama

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Okay so looking up what my vets said I am not really seeing two different pallets so I guess they are saying they cannot see the soft pallet without sedation.... but from looking at the visible pallet length (on the roof of the mouth) likely the soft pallet is great.

Here is a pic showing the soft pallet:

ce_soft_palate_b.jpg
 

Bulldoggie371

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My girl Callista had it done and had no issues. Her main problem was the throwing up immediately after eating though. I would just make sure your vet is specialized in operating on Bulldogs. If not seek one that is. May I ask what state your in?
 
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GUnnith345

GUnnith345

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May 29, 2012
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Zeus
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Thanks everyone. It doesn't seem like Zeus has any of the symptoms below. I think we'll take your advice and try to find a bully specialist to see if they can see his soft palate without putting him under. We live in NY so I'll take a look at the EBN and BCA recommended list unless someone has a specific recommendation.
 

2BullyMama

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Thanks everyone. It doesn't seem like Zeus has any of the symptoms below. I think we'll take your advice and try to find a bully specialist to see if they can see his soft palate without putting him under. We live in NY so I'll take a look at the EBN and BCA recommended list unless someone has a specific recommendation.


there is a real good one in NY.. I think on Staten Island... [MENTION=4246]ChanelnBrutus[/MENTION] do you remember the name?
 

ChanelnBrutus

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Paul W Kinnear, DVM / Richmond Valley Animal Hospital
4915 Arthur Kill Rd
Staten Island, NY 10309

718) 948-3331

I have heard anyone with a bullie has to go see him that he is great! We have an appointment in 2 weeks :)
 
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GUnnith345

GUnnith345

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Zeus
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Yep, that's where we've setup an appt in two weeks. Unfortunately Dr. Kinnear isn't available (might have retired) but Dr. Esposito there is supposed to be fantastic with bullies as well.
 

2BullyMama

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Yep, that's where we've setup an appt in two weeks. Unfortunately Dr. Kinnear isn't available (might have retired) but Dr. Esposito there is supposed to be fantastic with bullies as well.


Wonder if you and [MENTION=4246]ChanelnBrutus[/MENTION] will be there at the same time.... she/Brutus have an appt in 2 wks too.

Good luck and please keep us posted
 

ChanelnBrutus

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Yep, that's where we've setup an appt in two weeks. Unfortunately Dr. Kinnear isn't available (might have retired) but Dr. Esposito there is supposed to be fantastic with bullies as well.

Dr Kinnear is still there...He may not be available the day you are going. I have heard some many good things about Richmond Animal Hopsital and all the doctors esp Dr Kinnear....We are going on the 9th :)
 

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