What health issues has your bully had??

[TessaAndSamson]

If you want to share I am very interested in what health issues other people have with their bully. Bully and non-bully issues. I am curious to see how common certain things are. For Samson non bully issues: 1) 5 months old broke his leg in joint, needed orthopedic surgery to correct. 2) 7 months old he was fed an undercooked Italian sausage and got what can only be explained as a nasty case of food poisoning. After almost 2 days of holding nothing down we rushed him to the hospital where he stayed for a day. For weeks after that I was told to feed him nothing but boiled boneless skinless chicken breast, rice and cottage cheese. 3) Around this same time he got stung/bit by something and his face swelled up like crazy. The doctor gave him a shot and prescription and that cleared up right after. 4) 4 years old Sam swallowed a toy, had to be surgically removed. 5) He had a small hernia that had never been a problem that was fixed for “free” as they said during the surgery to get the toy out. 6) We have been fighting his first ear infection for like a month now. Not going away  Bully issues: 1) Been fighting allergies for 3 years, it’s been a long road but I am proud to say he looks great now and is hardly licking his paws anymore. It’s all about good food and his allergy meds. 2) Inverted tail, just needs to be cleaned regularly. Haven’t had any issues since we found out when he was 7-9 months, just have to keep it clean.

 

[Bluegrasser1946]

Hi there Tesse&Samson!

We live in Long Sault, Ontario, Canada with our two bullies: Bobby McGee will be two on July 17th and Abigail will be 18 months old on July 16th.

Bobby came to us with Kennel cough which turned to pneumonia within a few days. He was treated with antibotics and is nice an healthy now. But the pneumonia did not go away over night. He slept in my bed for a couple of months before I didn't hear any more weezing and decided to let him sleep in his crate.

Abigail was healthy until about the age of 9 months. Then she started having patches of black skin under her thinning coat (in the flank area). Now she is all but bald in those areas. The articles in the internet claim it doesn't mean she is sick, but we don't know what to think anymore.

We had her thyroid checked and results were okay. We were told that she has 'flank alopecia'. Her sides are soooo ugly now; just awful. We have changed her food to a fish and potato in the hope that the fish will help; not sure about that either.

Anyway, in the almost two years since our first bully arrived, that's about it. Sure wish an experienced vet could tell us how to grow Abigail's coat back. gfgfgfg

Gail and Gary

 

[TessaAndSamson]

When did this start? I looked up flank alopecia real quick and it seemed like all the websites said it had to do with a lack of sun exposure. Which would make sense because Ontario does have serious winters right? I am assuming because of the cold she wasn't able to spend much time outside been exposed to sunlight for months. I hope you get some good answers and it clears up soon! Poor baby!

 

[sowdie]

Lola came to us with Parvo. As i understand it, it's typically not something that 9 week old puppies survive. But, after a week in the emergency animal hospital, a few thousand dollars, and a very angry bulldog father, she made it through.
Other than that it's been a couple ear infections and we're currently trying to get her allergies under wrap. she claws at her face constantly.

 

[TessaAndSamson]

I am so happy to hear she survived! How sad. What are you doing to help her allergies? It's been a long road in easing Samson's allergies but I am happy to say he is doing great! We do antihistamines as prescribed by my vet, atarx, and a strict diet. No grain, no poultry and only the treats that go with his food. We feed Samson Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish, 2 cups a day. The second cup is mixed with salmon oil and a HEAPING spoon full of Wellness' canned 95% salmon food.

 

[Bulldogg]

Wow, it is unfortunate that all of you have had such poor experiences.

None of our current bullies have any health issues (thank the almighty!!)

In the past, we have experienced severe allergies, giardia, undersized (half the size of a real bully) --and even a case of mental illness. This is one of the many reasons we started this site- (along with wanted to meet other bully owners and help other bully owners) and it took us over 10 years to learn what to look for when choosing a pup, and where NOT to buy from!!! The bullies we had with issues were either: purchased from a pet store, purchased from an internet broker, or purchased from a lying breeder. *sigh* All the healthy dogs we have were purchased from a breeder/hobbyist, those who do it for the love of the dog, not the love of the $$$.

Why all the health issues? For us, it was not getting them from a responsible breeder with healthy bloodlines.

 

[TessaAndSamson]

I'll be perfectly honest. It's something I'm a bit ashamed of but Samson came from a pet store. I was only 19 and I fell in love the moment I saw/held him, I had no idea what the truth was about pet store pups. Went back several times and he was there everytime. I did a bunch of research on the breed before I actually went back and got him. I lived in an apartment and wanted a companion dog, he was the perfect breed for that. I knew about the health problems so I got VPI right after I got him so I was prepared for that. I thought I had it all worked out but in the following months after I got him and when people would ask where I got him I found out the truth. I feel so ashamed that I financially supported such a business but I never regret that I have Samson. Growing up we always had family dogs, so does everyone else in my extended family. I always loved dogs but Sam and I developed such a strong bond right away. Before him I didn't know it was possible to love a dog that much. He changed my life, I became so interested in his health care I decided to change my major and enrolled in a vet tech program. Sometimes I look in his eyes though and cry, thinking about where his mom is. What kind of conditions she lives in, breaks my heart like you wouldn't believe.

 

[bullmama]

I'll be perfectly honest. It's something I'm a bit ashamed of but Samson came from a pet store. I was only 19 and I fell in love the moment I saw/held him, I had no idea what the truth was about pet store pups. Went back several times and he was there everytime. I did a bunch of research on the breed before I actually went back and got him. I lived in an apartment and wanted a companion dog, he was the perfect breed for that. I knew about the health problems so I got VPI right after I got him so I was prepared for that. I thought I had it all worked out but in the following months after I got him and when people would ask where I got him I found out the truth. I feel so ashamed that I financially supported such a business but I never regret that I have Samson. Growing up we always had family dogs, so does everyone else in my extended family. I always loved dogs but Sam and I developed such a strong bond right away. Before him I didn't know it was possible to love a dog that much. He changed my life, I became so interested in his health care I decided to change my major and enrolled in a vet tech program. Sometimes I look in his eyes though and cry, thinking about where his mom is. What kind of conditions she lives in, breaks my heart like you wouldn't believe.

I have felt the same way.... we did not know any better either. 3 times we got an unhealthy pup. You stuck it out though, and he is sooo lucky to have you for a mama.

 

[TessaAndSamson]

I have felt the same way.... we did not know any better either. 3 times we got an unhealthy pup. You stuck it out though, and he is sooo lucky to have you for a mama.

I wouldn't trade my little Samson for the world and like I said as ashamed as I am that I financially supported such a business if I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. I couldn't imagine life without him. I don't think anyone would have bought him and loved him/cared for him as much as I do! Not possible! It's just one of those things in life. At least I know better for the next one and I NEVER walk into a pet store that sells pups anymore.

 

[bullmama]

I wouldn't trade my little Samson for the world and like I said as ashamed as I am that I financially supported such a business if I could do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. I couldn't imagine life without him. I don't think anyone would have bought him and loved him/cared for him as much as I do! Not possible! It's just one of those things in life. At least I know better for the next one and I NEVER walk into a pet store that sells pups anymore.

Maybe that is why you were chosen to have him, I call it fate!!!

 

[emangan]

Hi, one of mine when i got him had the black on side no hair vet told me to use selson blue shampoo and cool water 3x week leve on for about 10 min worked like magic . It looked like

 

[sowdie]

I am so happy to hear she survived! How sad. What are you doing to help her allergies? It's been a long road in easing Samson's allergies but I am happy to say he is doing great! We do antihistamines as prescribed by my vet, atarx, and a strict diet. No grain, no poultry and only the treats that go with his food. We feed Samson Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish, 2 cups a day. The second cup is mixed with salmon oil and a HEAPING spoon full of Wellness' canned 95% salmon food.

Yeah so happy she pulled through. That was tough.
Poor little thing can't stop clawing at her face. She's always rubbing her face all over the carpet, making it all red and raw. We just switched her to a new grain-free food. We bought Fromm Surf and Turf. She's been on it for just under two weeks, so it's still a little early to tell if it will make a difference. I mix that with salmon oil. Other than that, i've been giving her veggies instead of treats, and i've been trying to keep her wrinkles dry and her face clean. I give her benadryl when she's really attacking her face. We have a vet appt tomorrow. Hopefully we can figure something out.

 

[cali~jenn]

Wow all these stories make me appreciate the luck we have had!!! Thankfully Cutty hasnt had any health problems so much aside from tearing off one of his nails on his dewclaw when he was young and a few other minor little things we have been very lucky. They say good breeding makes a difference and he did come from a good breeder so I guess they should get the credit there. Fingers crossed we stay this lucky!

 

[Libra926]

Vegas came from a very good breeder. He has very healthy bloodlines and in 2009, Vegas's dad was the number 1 show dog in Brazil. Despite all that, Vegas has been put thru some tuff stuff. When we took him in at 5 months old to be neutered, we were also told he had mange. (He had a spot on his side the size of a dime that was white. I thought it was a patch of white hair. When a relative asked me if I dropped bleach on him, I started to look closer at it and saw that it was a balding spot.) The doctor told me that all puppies are carriers of mange (they get it from their moms) but most of them have strong enough immune systems to fight it. Vegas didn't. At the same time, we discovered he had an inverted tail with a very deep tail pocket. At 7 months, Vegas started to scoot his bottom on the floor. I thought his anal glands needed some work, so I scheduled an appt. The Dr told us that his glands were fine BUT his tail pocket was infected. He said that the pocket went well past his 2nd knuckle and it would be very hard to keep clean. We researched and decided to close the tail pocket (AKA...tail amputation) and Vegas hasn't had a bootie problem since. At 10 months old, he started having seizures. During one of his seizures, he aspirated and got pnuemonia. Because of all the coughing and upchucking, he developed Mega Esophagus. (which is now the reason VPI wont insure him) Now, we have been told that Vegas probably has a torn ACL. We have to schedule an appt with a specialist for a second opinion.

Orion had a bump on her ear that our vet said was a tumor/cyst very common in puppies. We chose to have it removed and tested just to make sure. I'm predicting Orion will
end up in the ER very soon. She is a climber and a jumper and an all-over TROUBLE maker. She is constantly searching for things to put in her mouth. We've pulled out rubber bands, pens, paper, tree frog, 2 field ants (the actually were attached to the inside of her upper front lip) pine cone, shoes.................the list goes on. You'd think that she wasn't under any supervision, but she is! We haven't had any problems with her *knocks on wood*.

 

[bbstubbles]

1) Kennel Cough around 5-6 months (did not know breeder did not give vaccine) Whoops!
2) Olaf seems to throw up phlegm once a week or so...asked the breeder about it and she said it is not uncommon.
3) POSSBLE elongated palette...Not sure yet....getting it looked at the end of july/early august. Sometimes I think he amy have one but then again I don't....we will see.
4) I would have to say Olaf has been pretty healthy. Thank goodness.