Surgery preparation! Please help. I'm scared for my little guy.

[nvize]

My 7.5 year old English Bulldog Sarge is going to need an ear canal ablation within the next month. We have been putting it off and trying different alternatives for some time in the hopes of avoiding surgery knowing that he has the breathing/soft palate issues of a bulldog but it would seem that he will inevitably need the operation. I'm less concerned with the ablation itself, as severe as it sounds. My concern is just getting him through the surgery in terms of dealing with the anesthetic, breathing tube and such again because of his breathing. If anyone here has had a bulldog survive surgery with these sorts of breathing issues, I would appreciate any insights that might get my man through this alive. Surgery prep? Anything that any of you might know that I don't. Thanks.

 

[Dana F]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

I don't know about surgery but will be sending prayers your way.

 

[IPickedADaisy]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

I don't know if this would help but when Daisy was spayed, the vet had her take Prilosec for 3 days before surgery to help her avoid aspirating during anesthesia. Good luck. I hope everything goes well.

 

[nvize]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Thanks. I will look into prilosec.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the sentiment.

 

[Baxter Tiberius]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

I also just learned its important to make sure their stomach is 100% empty before surgery so no food or water 3-4 hours beforehand. Or be safe and make it 5-6

 

[bullmama]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

I would screen the vet and ask how many English Bulldogs they have put under anesthesia. That would be a huge concern, if your vet cannot ease your concerns than I would find a vet that does.

Anytime they go in for a surgery, it is very scary for us parents.... and with good reason. We will offer prayers and support to help you through.

 

[Vikinggirl]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Hi, I don't have any experience with that type of surgery. My two guys have had 3 surgeries between them, my female Blossom had spay surgery and cherry eye repair when she was 7 months old, and then a week later her other eye developed cherry eye, so she had a second surgery a month later, Bulldozer had neuter surgery when he was 7 months old. They both came through the surgeries very well, with no complications, or vomiting after. Our vet instructed us not to feed them or give them any water after 8:00 pm the night before their surgeries, and they were dropped off at 8:00 am, but the surgeries were done at 11:00 and at 1:00, so definitely an empty stomach is better and safer. Both of them came home the same day, and had very quick recoveries. My guys were young when they had their surgeries, and neither of them have any breathing problems. Being that your Sarge is older, and he has breathing problems, I can understand why you are worried. Has he had surgeries before? How did he do? How experienced is your vet?, and how is his health otherwise? I would ask your vet lots of questions, and if your not happy with the answers, look for another vet who has experience with bullies, or maybe see a specialist. I hope everything goes well, and sending love, hugs and prayers your way that Sarge does well. Please keep us posted.

 

[Petra]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Sorry to hear Sarge have to go under surgery, it's always a concern My Boeboe had FHO surgery yesterday, she doesn't have a breathing issue though... all went well but I was a total mess. As @Vikinggirl says it is very important to not let them drink or eat anything before surgery. We took away Boeboe's food at 6pm and water at 8pm the night before to make sure her stomach is empty, I would not let them eat the same day as surgery no matter how late the operation is scheduled. Also keep them calm the day before to avoid unnecessary muscle ace, and don't feed them anything out of the ordinary that can make them nauseous or sick.

Since you know he's got the breathing/soft palate issue the vet should take extra care and have what ever equipment that could be needed ready. I would look for a specialist that knows bulldogs and their potential issues during surgery.

Also there is different types of anesthetics, I read NOT to use one called Ace as it doesn't work well on bulldogs. I have no clue myself why but I made sure our vet used a different one. Our vet used one called Halothane but there is one called Isoflurane that I've heard should be good... but ya... I have no clue this is just information I've read but it can be worth checking up on.

I'm sorry you have to go through this, I hope everything will work out great Hugs to you and Sarge.

 

[Pati Robins]

Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Not sure what to say really 7,5 is an old age for a bulldog ,i remember my boxer had a growth on her leg -quite bug ,and vet advised us not to operate as my girl was old and the older the dog the risk of complication is grater
So we left it ,how long did you knew about soft palete issue? If you see an experienced vet and you baby does need this operation maybe they can operate on a palete same time.
I know that some members had a "double ops" for cherry eyes and soft pallets done at the same time xx
I hope all will work out for you

 

[nvize]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Pati Robins. Thanks for your response. We've known about his soft palate and breathing since he was a puppy.

 

[nvize]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Petra. Thanks for your kind words and thoughtful insights. I will definitely do some research on the anesthesia with your comment in mind.

 

[nvize]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Monica. I'm happy that yours have been so successful with surgery in the past. Sarge has never had any sort of operation. When he was a puppy we were told to avoid surgery as much as possible because he would not have a good chance with his soft palate making it through the anesthesia/waking up and breathing with his own two lungs ever again. We've made in over 7 years without needing surgery but it would seem that he isn't going to get around this. Thank you for your response.

 

[nvize]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Lisa thanks for your response. That's the issue. All the vets that examine him will try and talk like he has a good chance of making it through and surgery is the only option and they recommend this particular surgeon and then we get to that surgeon and the surgeon will basically say I'll do surgery but I don't feel very comfortable that I can give any assurance that I can get this dog through alive which doesn't leave us feeling very good. Obviously.

 

[nvize]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Thanks Kevin.

 

[Pati Robins]

Re: Surgery preparation! Please help. I’m scared for my little guy.

Hi Kevin , i was wondering why haven't you fix palete before ,
I hope whatever the course of action will be ,you will keep us updated and it all goes well for you and your fur baby xx