From a happy puppy - to nearly being put down - To back home... Hopefully this story ends with an adult bullie

[BeauregardMom]

Thank you so much for the updates! Bella has been in my thoughts today. Sending you both some love!

 

[sporako]

So things are going well - She had a solid night of rest, she stayed on schedule for her treatments, and meds. This morning her attitude has improved, she looks good! I think she is improving. She is still sick, but headed in the right direction, so I'm thinking the treatment is working.

I have some photos for you to see her belly, it looks like she has developed a hernia (sp?)...



What do you think? I have a DR appointment that's 5 days away, Do yo think I need to take her in before that to be safe? IT doesn't seem to bother her, but then again shes a bulldog - who has a insane infection in her lungs... So even if it was, how could i tell!

Thanks again for all the support, I'm hopefull we are making progress

This photo is from this morning; playing with a toy!

The first time she wanted to play from the time she got home; even though it was only for about 2 minutes, it was a great feeling For the both of us!~

 

[cali baker]

Bella's a total doll! I'm glad she's improving every day. I cannot help you with the hernia question but i'm sure someone here will be able to give you some feedback. I'm always playing it safe so perhaps you could give your Vet's office a call and see what they think?

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

That looks like a hernia..Jake has an umbilical hernia from birth..the vet is going to repair it when he gets neutered..(tomorrow! ). I'm sure your vet will watch it closely and hopefully won't need repair until her lungs are ALL better and can handle anesthesia. Jakes has almost totally disappeared on the outside anyway! Glad she is improving..poor Bella.

 

[sporako]

I wanted to also share these photos with you. The first photo is the Ratio-graph that was taken when she was checked in - and the other is when she left.

- You can see the Trachea was narrowed a lot.. That's why they said she didnt have much of a chance, they also insisted that her airway was a .03 and would never be any bigger. They told me that it would be tough for her in the long run - and because of the size of her airway it would be hard to get over this infection.

But as you can see it was inflamed and opened up by the time she left - still small, but she is a 11 week old bulldog after all.

 

[Mod85]

[MENTION=2853]sporako[/MENTION] I was also told that Samsons trachea was much much smaller than other bulldogs. Bulldogs aren't like other breeds and Bella's trachea could very well grow as she grows, this is what I was told by my vet. The emergency vet specialist that Samson was taken too also said that he didn't think Samson would pull through his first episode of Pneumonia due to the size of his trachea and not being able to get the infection up (Samson did!) If you're concerned about a possible small trachea and it continues to cause problems, get her trachea tested at 12 months - an 11 week old puppy is not a gauge on what the dog will be when she's older. Bella sounds like she's on the right track for improvement, keep nursing her back to health and keep us all posted on her progress!

 

[Davidh]

The umbilical hernia is no big deal and can be fixed later when you have her spade. Sometimes if they are small enough they will close on their own. Just keep an eye on it and it should be no big deal. As far as her trachea it should grow as she does, they are small any way. Is your vet a bulldog specialist? If so he should know that. We are blessed here and have two wonderful bully specialist in the Houston area. Please keep us posted on Bella's progress and we will still be keeping her in our prayers.

 

[LucysMum]

Glad to hear Bella is improving. Hugs to both of you!, please keep us posted.

 

[Donna LeBlanc]

Thinking about Bella...how is she doing? Keeping the prayers and positive vibes going...

 

[Lucy-licious]

So how is our little girl feeling today?
for you both hope your getting enough sleep.

 

[LariP]

Just checking in. Nice to see good news!

 

[sporako]

So things are going really well. I wish she would actually cough more, to get the stuff out of her. But today and last night she acted like she was healthy She is eating, she is drinking and her potty is good. She is still not 100percent, but man is she doing good She is more itchy then normal, but it doesnt appear that she has flees- I dont see any signs. I wonder if the meds are making her itchy (She is not going nuts or anything, but a little more then normal she is itchy)

So all and all, I'm feeling pretty good about her. She has been doing great with me - not giving me any trouble as I help her trough this. She doesnt squirm anymore when i preform Coupage. I hate it tho -if you have never done it, google it and watch the Youtube video. You have to hit her side, it sucks ;(. She doesn't even cough up anything when I do it - but doctors orders.. She doesn't squirm like she did at first, now she just looks up at me with her big eyes.. Saying "Come on dad, why do you have to do this AGAIN!"

I hope that she keeps up this progress, as its truly a great sign

Thanks for all the good vibes everyone is sending this way - She loves you for it And when shes all healthy I promise to send a photo showing her pretty smile!

 

[Davidh]

So glad she is doing better and continues to improve, can't wait to see the pic of that sweet face.

 

[Lucy-licious]

I too am looking forward to that smile glad she is responding so well, your a great daddy

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

Such great news! You are such a great bully daddy! Give her from us!