Soft Palate Surgery - Mandatory for All English Bulldogs

[Baxter Tiberius]

Ran across this article.

It's written by a doctor (vet?) and it states very clearly that this is a procedure that should be done on all english bulldogs if the owner wants to minimize the discomfort that comes along with being part of this breed. I had not heard before that this procedure is almost mandatory for all of them, but I totally understand the logic here.

I guess its no different than the owner who fails to clean the tail pocket for weeks and weeks, and their dog is the one who suffers. These little piggies have a difficult life with their physical situation, and any steps I can take to make my little rhinoceros/water buffalo feel more comfortable? I'll do it.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Why Soft Palate Surgery for Bulldog Breeds is Necessary | petMD

Have you heard the same?

The first thing I thought (always think) is "Surgery = Anesthesia = Very Bad". But it looks like she addressed that concern right at the beginning, mentioning her 8 year old dealt with it just fine. That made me feel a lot better.

 

[helsonwheels]

That's "Bull" crap in my opinion. There are numerous older bullies ( and young ) that never needed soft palate surgery and lived till old age. Wait let me knock on wood... ok back..... ok let's get serious.... they cant start categorize all pug face dogs all need surgery. Yes it can happen they might need it.....but.....it's called use your brains if you're going to leave your dog outside in the heat, that's any dog even non pug face and you need A/C to cool them down? Geez, if its 100 outside like dog or no dog, I would also want the a/c. I can go on but wont. Articles like that is all about money. If you have no choice right then and now, i get it. But telling all bully owners its mandatory? Errrr no! Ok my 2 cents worth

 

[Texas Carol]

Completely agree with [MENTION=15310]helsonwheels[/MENTION]...utter nonsense!

Like every woman cutting off her breasts to avoid cancer.

No, No, and HELL NO!

 

[dieMuttivonBifi]

Agree with the ladies above. Total Bullcrap. It's all about money. It shouldn't be mandatory, it should be voluntary. Another article that makes bully owners paranoid. There are alot of good responsible breeders out there striving to Breed healthy pups. One only need to do alot of research to find one.

 

[rjisaterp]

I concur that the surgery not be mandatory but if there can be a change in the quality of life of the bully and any other brachiocephalic dog then it is elective surgery that the owner can choose. Bentley would always cough which kind of reminded me and my acid reflux attacks I get since I am a jocular-portly kind of guy. I digress. At night, he sounded like an asthmatic gasping for air. Long story short...we had the surgery performed when he was under for his knee surgery. Bentley is now doing extremely well and the aforementioned symptoms are now gone. Now of course he coughs here and there but nothing like it use to be. Like Helene above...my two cents worth.

 

[ddnene]

I concur that the surgery not be mandatory but if there can be a change in the quality of life of the bully and any other brachiocephalic dog then it is elective surgery that the owner can choose. Bentley would always cough which kind of reminded me and my acid reflux attacks I get since I am a jocular-portly kind of guy. I digress. At night, he sounded like an asthmatic gasping for air. Long story short...we had the surgery performed when he was under for his knee surgery. Bentley is now doing extremely well and the aforementioned symptoms are now gone. Now of course he coughs here and there but nothing like it use to be. Like Helene above...my two cents worth.

I had the surgery done for Walter, and to be honest if I had HAD the surgery on Winston I believe he would of lived longer. I don't believe in making ANY kind of elected surgery mandatory, but in MY case w/my pups it really seems to have made a huge difference for Wallygator. Willow will be evaluated for it very soon, and if my vet believes it's necessary then I will go ahead as well. Same could be said for the nares, which Wally had done also...

 

[rjisaterp]

I had the surgery done for Walter, and to be honest if I had HAD the surgery on Winston I believe he would of lived longer. I don't believe in making ANY kind of elected surgery mandatory, but in MY case w/my pups it really seems to have made a huge difference for Wallygator. Willow will be evaluated for it very soon, and if my vet believes it's necessary then I will go ahead as well. Same could be said for the nares, which Wally had done also...

We had Bentley's nares done as well.

Speaking of nares. If your bully is a show dog...then you should not have the nares done. I was told by our vet that the judges will deduct points if they notice this. That was our vets first question...Is Bentley a show dog? And we said no but Bentley thinks he is.

 

[oscarmayer]

Yeah, that so-called Vet is using a pretty wide brush painting all flat/short-faced canines as needing soft palate surgery...rather irresponsible on her part. It's been our experience in Bulldog rescue(and keep in mind, a good many of the rescues that come in, do so because of health issues) that less than half would benefit from this surgery. Having this surgery done without good cause is reckless and needlessly putting a dog at risk.
I do agree with some of her points especially the statement, "Few people are bulldog-worthy".

 

[Marine91]

We talked to 2 of our vets about doing it on Harlea and both agreed that she didn't need it done. We trust their opinions and recommendations so we didn't do it.

 

[Manydogs]

Two of mine had entropion. One had nare and entropion. When surgery was done for those things, I asked my vet to check out their palate's while they were under,and take care of that,also. Neither one needed it done.

 

[Baxter Tiberius]

Thanks everyone. The reason I even looked this up last night was because Baxter has been doing that whole "dry heaving/gagging/throwing up motion" without anything coming out. So I started googling what that could be, and the palate issue came up. He also has pretty significant sleep apnea. So he will stop breathing for extended periods of time while he's laying next to me.

It happens so much that I now have a gentle command I say out loud "breathe", and in his sleep he will respond to that command to begin breathing again. I can only imagine how many times in the night he deprives his brain of oxygen because of this when I'm not there. The obstructed airway is also part of this issue, isn't it?

Of course like any other English bulldog, he struggles for at least a half hour just to cool down. Also, any dry food, he will throw it up and gag. And if he gets into any really active play, he will sometimes vomit of just the foam. Which is also apparently related to the palate obstruction and his saliva getting all mixed in there.

Does it sound like he needs this procedure?

 

[KimDe]

Thanks everyone. The reason I even looked this up last night was because Baxter has been doing that whole "dry heaving/gagging/throwing up motion" without anything coming out. So I started googling what that could be, and the palate issue came up. He also has pretty significant sleep apnea. So he will stop breathing for extended periods of time while he's laying next to me.

It happens so much that I now have a gentle command I say out loud "breathe", and in his sleep he will respond to that command to begin breathing again. I can only imagine how many times in the night he deprives his brain of oxygen because of this when I'm not there. The obstructed airway is also part of this issue, isn't it?

Of course like any other English bulldog, he struggles for at least a half hour just to cool down. Also, any dry food, he will throw it up and gag. And if he gets into any really active play, he will sometimes vomit of just the foam. Which is also apparently related to the palate obstruction and his saliva getting all mixed in there.

Does it sound like he needs this procedure?

What you are saying sounds like something is going on that is impacting his well being and that Baxter may benefit from the surgery. I would talk to an experienced bulldog vet you trust. I do not have experience with the surgery but that is what I would do in your instance.

Here is a list of experienced vets
English Bulldog News Forums - English Bulldog News Recommended English Bulldog Veterinarians

Additionally lemon juice helps break up the foam.

 

[KimDe]

I read the article and maybe I didn't read deep enough but it seems to me it does not say mandatory. It says that if your dog can't breathe it is necessary to undergo the procedure for the well being of your dog. I agree with that statement. Now I haven't personally opted for the procedure because Fezzik does not have severe symptoms so for me it is something to evaluate with a vet and people that I trust. I would opt for the procedure if his breathing severely impacted him and that was the cause.

"To properly care for a bulldog, soft palate resection is perhaps the most necessary procedure, dramatically improving their comfort level. When dogs can’t breathe well because this long, droopy piece of surplus flesh clogs the opening to the larynx, it’s a must."

 

[2BullyMama]

Thanks everyone. The reason I even looked this up last night was because Baxter has been doing that whole "dry heaving/gagging/throwing up motion" without anything coming out. So I started googling what that could be, and the palate issue came up. He also has pretty significant sleep apnea. So he will stop breathing for extended periods of time while he's laying next to me.

It happens so much that I now have a gentle command I say out loud "breathe", and in his sleep he will respond to that command to begin breathing again. I can only imagine how many times in the night he deprives his brain of oxygen because of this when I'm not there. The obstructed airway is also part of this issue, isn't it?

Of course like any other English bulldog, he struggles for at least a half hour just to cool down. Also, any dry food, he will throw it up and gag. And if he gets into any really active play, he will sometimes vomit of just the foam. Which is also apparently related to the palate obstruction and his saliva getting all mixed in there.

Does it sound like he needs this procedure?

What you explain does seem Baxter at least needs to be evaluated as the systems scream palate issues


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[SweetDozer]

Hi All, I am new to the site. I have a 9 year old Olde English Bulldog, Dozer. We bought him when he was 3. We most likely 'saved' him from the previous owner who kept him outside...here in AZ. We have spoiled and loved him greatly, fed him better than we feed ourselves. I was told 2 years ago, he has collapsed trachea. He doesnt go on long walks . He is not getting better. The heavy breathing makes his snorting sound much louder and he is just getting exhausted (obviously) from little oxygen. I cant have guests over due to his anxities and demand of attention that is has naturally. He is a 80lb boy. I took him last year to consult for a surgeon. However due to his age, they dont think he would make it. And the surgury cost $6K.. IS that the cost ? I want to get a 2nd opinion and am seeking a bulldog specialist out here.
He too does the same if fed dry food, he will vomit and tip of hi tongue will turn almost black. He yawns alot, and started doing this new thing with his tongue and has started coughing a bit. So I in high need of getting some resolve for him. I will not see him suffer. I asked the vet to prescribe oxygen, he wont do that.