Help Needed! My bulldog Ronnie

[Kellylowe31]

Hey guys I am a newbie and was wondering if any you guys could help me out with maybe your experiences. We have had our guy now since he was 3 months he's now 6 and a half. Unfortunately after a choking incident he had inhalation pneumonia and was treated with antibiotics for 6 weeks and had his last x rays on Friday. Vet had advised that it's not 100 percent gone but he's alot better they also mentioned that he has a slightly enlarged heart bit told me.not to worry as this could be normal? Has anyone ever heard of this. He's also now starting regressing on toilet training he was fully trained and as of s few days ago is now.peeing in his bed he's also excessively thirsty at night time. Just feeling a bit exasperated and sad for him as he's not had it easy his short life. Thanks for reading

 

[Manydogs]

Many Bulldogs pee on their beds, and other things like throw rugs,etc. The reason, only they know!! Sometimes they can't have comfortable things-sometimes when older, they grow out of that habit. As for excessive thirst-sometimes that could be a sign of diabetes-need to have that checked out. I am sorry to hear about him being so sick, it seems it has taken a really long time for his recovery! As for his heart, You are right, this poor fella' has been through a lot. Sounds like you should take him to a specialist, or at least get to a second Dr. and get his opinion,and take the x rays with you. Here is a site that you may want to look at https://www.natural-wonder-pets.com/congestive-heart-failure-in-dogs.html

 

[Kellylowe31]

Thanks for that. This is my first bulldog so have nothing to compare it 2. The Vet said that a slightly large heart can maybe be normal with bulldogs and may not be anything to worry about so is this not true? I've to watch him for a month see what his exercise tolerance is and his breathing but I'm not sure I would like to wait that long as I.am not able to put my finger on it but something doesn't feel right

 

[Kellylowe31]

He has bouts of lethargy tires very easily considering he's only 6 months and gags and coughs alot as if he has a hair stuck in his throat and excessively licks his lips

 

[Dollys Owner]

The gagging and coughing and lip licking sounds like he is nauseous and possibly regurgitating his food. What is he eating? Has he been evaluated for elongated soft palate? That can cause all those symptoms.

 

[Kellylowe31]

He's on a cold press food called marcus muel dry which has to be watered down as he chokes and collapses which resulted in him needing an oxygen chamber. He's had an endoscopy and been told his palate is fine as we thought this was the reason he chokes

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Sometimes cough can persist long time after pneumonia is gone. There is also a possibility that he has some viral infection like kennel cough.
Enlarged heart can be a temporary problem caused by pneumonia, as when one has pneumonia their lungs become stiff and meaty instead of puffy and soft in healthy person, so what happens, heart is pushing blood with extra effort through the stiffened lungs and develops so called hypertrophy, or thickening of walls. Hopefully as he fully recovers, lungs will again become soft and his heart will come back to normal. Did doctor say anything about bigger heart with thickened walls or bigger heart with thinner walls?
There are, of course, possible other causes for his heart to be enlarged, like cardiomyopathy or heart failure, but hopefully it’s not the case. If you strongly feel like something isn’t right, look for dogs cardiologist to show him.
Toilet regression is totally normal after severe illness, and yes, bulldogs love to pee in beds for some unexplainable reason. Can be absolutely innocent. Excessive drinking- I agree, check his blood sugar levels.

 

[Kellylowe31]

Hi thanks for your response. The Vet said he was concerned that he had been treating him for pneumonia when all along it could have been his heart so he wants us to do the watch and wait approach for a month and see how he is with exercise tolerance and his breathing I've had a chat with my husband and will.probably be looking at a second opinion as if there is something wrong I wouldn't like to leave it. Maybe I am just worrying for nothing and he's totally fine but he has been through the mill and he's still young. All the vet said was he had a slightly larger heart than normal

 

[Lalaloopsie]

To make his pneumonia to resolve faster, give him light vibration massage on his sides just behind front legs when he stands, then put him on your lap on his back and pull gently his front paws up and down, stretching his chest. It will improve blood circulation in his lungs and help recovery.

 

[Lalaloopsie]

Yeah, constant cough can be a sign of heart failure, hope it’s not the case. Sorry that you have to go through this.

 

[Kellylowe31]

Thanks for all your replies I will update when we have managed to get him looked at

 

[Dollys Owner]

He's on a cold press food called marcus muel dry which has to be watered down as he chokes and collapses which resulted in him needing an oxygen chamber. He's had an endoscopy and been told his palate is fine as we thought this was the reason he chokes

According to review I read it's meant for adult dogs over 1 year of age. https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews/0341/markus-muehle-natural-dog-foodIt's a good quality food, but it wouldn't hurt to switch to see if he does better. eg. to Pure dog food brand brilliant beef or duck delight https://purepetfood.co.uk/collections/complete-recipes-dogs

 

[Kellylowe31]

Thanks for your reply he is on the junior version https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs...WwCb-yxkMRaobZjIu1BtYk44EwgfS60hoCKYYQAvD_BwE this was recommended by a KC breeder

 

[rjisaterp]

[MENTION=18696]Kellylowe31[/MENTION] Here is an article about increased thirst and urination from Pet MD link: https://www.petmd.com/dog/condition...er?icl=Increased Urination and Thirst in Dogs

 

[Kellylowe31]

[MENTION=18696]Kellylowe31[/MENTION] Here is an article about increased thirst and urination from Pet MD link: https://www.petmd.com/dog/condition...er?icl=Increased Urination and Thirst in Dogs

thank you for this vet has asked for a urine sample this has not been easy haha