New English Bulldog Mom

[pumbasmom]

Hello All,

I recently adopted (rescued) a 12 week old pup who we named Pumba. Pumba is struggling in his life right now and I am trying to find the best advice I can. We love our vet for our other dogs ( Bassett and toy puddle) However I wonder if I need to go into a bigger city to get Pumba the right care. Pumba has been on a series of antibiotics for Kennel Cough and had to have a nebulizer treatment 3 times a day. He has finally gotten off the nebulizer but he still coughs now and again choking on the mucus. I am keeping him out of the heat except to use the bathroom. No running outside. It's been 100 here this week. But the issue is he has been diagnosed with a extreme "loose knee" the vet said that it just keeps slipping out from the socket and will need surgery ( which she does not do) Of course I googled my little heart out trying to find out what I can do. I started him on a joint supplement ( powder form for puppies) I am adding yogurt and coconut oil ( frozen treat I mix them together and freeze) daily. He has a memory foam bed and I allow him to sleep with me on my bed at night. I don't allow him to jump or climb stairs to my bed or outside he is lifted. I am looking into water physical therapy but need him fitted for life jacket.

So I looked through the search engine and everything I read was for older dogs over a year old. My question is has anyone had a puppy with this problem? When could surgery be done to help him I am afraid it will cause Hip Dysp. if we leave it till he is over a year old ( vet suggested a year old) Vet said don't use any leg support wrap or bands, I thought getting a hip support would help stabilize his leg better but allowing the knee to bend.

Any ideas or experience, advice would be greatly appreciate it. Thanks everyone and much snuggles to all!

 

[ddnene]

to EBN!!! First of all, I'm SO sorry you are having to deal w/these issues w/a new baby... I would say you need to find a vet that specializes in EBD. We have a thread that has a list of bully vets that other members have recommended...

Bulldogs are notorious for having breathing issues... it could be allergy related (food or environmental) or he may need to have his palate shortened. Are you feeding him a high quality grain-free or raw diet? I feed my dogs Fromm, but if you go to dogfoodadvisor.com they have a list of grain free kibble for any budget.

The knee issue is very common... and I honestly don't have any personal experience w/that, but I will tag members who do. Having an experienced bully vet will definitely help you to find a specialist that you may need for surgery down the road.

Sounds like you are taking very good care of your baby... but you have come to the right place for advice.

 

[oscarmayer]

I ran this one by my wife who has had much more experience with "ortho Bullies" than I have. Her reply to me:

"Sounds like a luxating patella to me. The ONLY way to correct it is with surgery, very specialized surgery...
....get the dog to an ortho vet and have it evaluated which would probably cost couple/few hundred dollars with some xrays. This will give them the answers about the grade of the luxating patella, the condition of the cruciate, and a plan of action for moving forward for surgery and future care. I wouldn't go putting braces and things on the dog until you know what you are dealing with. Obviously, it has issues and if you start trying to support and move/stabilize things you are likely to cause injury/abnormal growth to other moving/growing parts. This is not going to go away so they should start a relationship with an orthopedic doctor now. It will also give them an idea of the type of money they are going to have to come up with for surgery. As we know ortho surgeries are very costly."

 

[2BullyMama]

I ran this one by my wife who has had much more experience with "ortho Bullies" than I have. Her reply to me:

"Sounds like a luxating patella to me. The ONLY way to correct it is with surgery, very specialized surgery...
....get the dog to an ortho vet and have it evaluated which would probably cost couple/few hundred dollars with some xrays. This will give them the answers about the grade of the luxating patella, the condition of the cruciate, and a plan of action for moving forward for surgery and future care. I wouldn't go putting braces and things on the dog until you know what you are dealing with. Obviously, it has issues and if you start trying to support and move/stabilize things you are likely to cause injury/abnormal growth to other moving/growing parts. This is not going to go away so they should start a relationship with an orthopedic doctor now. It will also give them an idea of the type of money they are going to have to come up with for surgery. As we know ortho surgeries are very costly."

[MENTION=18393]pumbasmom[/MENTION] ... this is great advice

- - - Updated - - -

I ran this one by my wife who has had much more experience with "ortho Bullies" than I have. Her reply to me:

"Sounds like a luxating patella to me. The ONLY way to correct it is with surgery, very specialized surgery...
....get the dog to an ortho vet and have it evaluated which would probably cost couple/few hundred dollars with some xrays. This will give them the answers about the grade of the luxating patella, the condition of the cruciate, and a plan of action for moving forward for surgery and future care. I wouldn't go putting braces and things on the dog until you know what you are dealing with. Obviously, it has issues and if you start trying to support and move/stabilize things you are likely to cause injury/abnormal growth to other moving/growing parts. This is not going to go away so they should start a relationship with an orthopedic doctor now. It will also give them an idea of the type of money they are going to have to come up with for surgery. As we know ortho surgeries are very costly."

[MENTION=18393]pumbasmom[/MENTION] ... this is great advice. How is his breathing, any better?

 

[pumbasmom]

Thanks for all the well wishes. Pumba went to our regular vet for an overall check up. His cough is much better and by Friday should be done antibiotics. I know our vet doesn’t know much about loose knee but I did find a vet here in town who has his own rescue Bulldogs. He will see him tomorrow and said that he can refer him me to an orthopedic surgeon in Indianapolis. I figured when I took him that it would be a costly adventure but I was concerned that .. well.. not a reputable breeder so my concern was more of what would he do to a returning puppy with such costly issues, I couldn’t watch them give him back.

I bought the life jacket yesterday and of course we are due for storms so water therapy is on hold. I also want to be sure he is well enough to swim.
I am starting home cooking meals gradually as to not upset his stomach and we are doing short walks for now. I covered all hard wood floors with rugs so he won’t slip. Here is for a better tomorrow and thanks everyone

 

[pumbasmom]

Thank you! I am trying to look for the thread on vets that you mentioned.I am hoping to find one in Indiana but I will travel to make sure he gets all he needs to be able to run and play without having pain. I know surgery on the breed is risky and I am online researching every orthro. surgeon in Indiana, makes me nervous when I read the reviews. Always so mixed. I think I am having vet anxiety.. lol but tomorrow he will see a vet in town that has his own rescues so maybe he will set us in the right direction.

 

[rjisaterp]

Welcome to EBN. Hoping for a quick recovery for Pumba.

 

[2BullyMama]

Thank you! I am trying to look for the thread on vets that you mentioned.I am hoping to find one in Indiana but I will travel to make sure he gets all he needs to be able to run and play without having pain. I know surgery on the breed is risky and I am online researching every orthro. surgeon in Indiana, makes me nervous when I read the reviews. Always so mixed. I think I am having vet anxiety.. lol but tomorrow he will see a vet in town that has his own rescues so maybe he will set us in the right direction.

Here is the list

 

[pumbasmom]

Well today went well for Pumba! The new vet was wonderful and I learned he and his wife run a Bulldog and French Bulldog rescue! He said Pumba has a chance of it actually correcting itself as he is a 2 on the right rear leg. But if not he will get us to a surgeon before he is 8 months old. He feels that his experience the tissue is still soft and he will heal better then if he is full grown. We went over diet and supplements and he wants me to add vitamin C daily to help with Pumbas front feet(flat footed) He thinks most of Pumbas issues are caused by a poor diet before we took him and that with time vitamins and good food we can fix. Some of that.

Sad news is I picked up the paperwork from the previous owner and learned through the vet himself that the names on the paperwork are one of the worst known puppy mill brokers/breeders in our state! Breaks the heart! I looked up the name and OmG it’s disgusting! I have read the stories and yet the videos I saw were sickening! Wish I could save them all!

 

[pumbasmom]

Thank you! I am saving that! Very much appreciate it

 

[2BullyMama]

Well today went well for Pumba! The new vet was wonderful and I learned he and his wife run a Bulldog and French Bulldog rescue! He said Pumba has a chance of it actually correcting itself as he is a 2 on the right rear leg. But if not he will get us to a surgeon before he is 8 months old. He feels that his experience the tissue is still soft and he will heal better then if he is full grown. We went over diet and supplements and he wants me to add vitamin C daily to help with Pumbas front feet(flat footed) He thinks most of Pumbas issues are caused by a poor diet before we took him and that with time vitamins and good food we can fix. Some of that.

Sad news is I picked up the paperwork from the previous owner and learned through the vet himself that the names on the paperwork are one of the worst known puppy mill brokers/breeders in our state! Breaks the heart! I looked up the name and OmG it’s disgusting! I have read the stories and yet the videos I saw were sickening! Wish I could save them all!

What great news!!! Please keep us posted


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