Cali came into our lives at 3 weeks old. She was brought in a shoe box- breeder dropped her off for euthanasia. I screamed... I'll FOSTER her! I can't see this sweet baby not get a chance at life. I took her to my moms house and left her with my sister and brother in law for less than an hour to get her supplies for bottle feeding. ( she was too little to be taken away from her furry mom) when I arrived back, my family said we NEED her! SO... a baby Cali the frenchie was OURS! She was so little and sick- we had a few scares early on those first couple weeks- but she always rallied with extra support from Dr. Garrett and Dr. Zimmerman.
Before Cali was even 4 months old she choked on a treat and turned blue and basically stopped breathing. My sister had her at the time- she rushed her to the ER and I met her there. They took Cali right back and got her on Oxygen and took x-rays when she was able to breathe again. We were all in SHOCK... she was just eating a treat! The Doctor came in and told us Cali likely wouldn't make it- we told them to try and work their magic and save our silly Cali... PULMONARY EDEMA..... is all I heard from the Dr. before I was on the floor in tears... she looked and felt awful and they thought she would die over night. We didn't even get to say good bye. We prayed and checked in with the Dr. hourly. 8 AM the next morning we got a call she survived the night but looked worse. We elected as a family to keep faith and were thankful for the excellent care she was receiving. The Dr. Called again later that day and said she was improving and responding to the oxygen therapy and medication- we actually visited her that night but weren't even allowed to open the oxygen cage she was in such bad shape. She ended up 3 days total on oxygen and made a full recovery. This was ALL caused by her ELONGATED SOFT PALATE.
It is one of the most common airway problems in ALL bulldogs. It is a narrowing of the upper airways that makes it very difficult to breathe when excited, over heated etc. IF this negative intra air way pressure exceeds the resistance of the surrounding tissue- collapse and inflammation will occur. The palate is located in the roof of the mouth and has two parts- THE PRICE OF THE SMOOCHED FACE BREEDS!
Cali under went surgery a few months later with the WONDERFUL Dr. Walesby who fixed Beloved Bella MANY times!
It made a HUGE difference in Cali's quality of life! Although we STILL have to be careful with heat and the way Cali eats- it is TOTALLY worth it- if you have a SMOOCHED face dog!
Cali has to eat in a special slow feeder bowl and can not have anything hard to eat or chew on- THANK GOODNESS FOR FROSTY PAWS!
Cali had another SCARE in the Spring- she suffers from IVDD -- INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DISEASE - a common cause of back pain, rear limb paralysis, and inability to walk or feel back legs.
WE rushed her to the PET ER with the NEUROLOGIST She was walking like a drunk leaving the bar- she was panting and in SO much pain! They wanted to do an MRI- but we elected not to because... well she is a bull dog... and sedation is SCARY! WE followed orders PERFECTLY and told the Dr. We'd come back in ONE week for re- check and possible MRI with Surgery to follow if she didn't recover.
IT WAS A TRUE MIRACLE Cali responded well to medication, rest, tough love etc.
She recovered but as with any injury- it is something chronic we have to deal- she has had a flare up since- but we did the same thing the Dr. Said to do and she recovered faster!
WE keep up with Laser therapy, good healthy supplements, Loop therapy and PUPPY- PUNTURE!
Cali is a tough cookie and the will to survive and live a good life. She is the high and mighty one, magisterial. A REAL DIVA! WE love her dearly!
Bull dogs are a breed you NEED to know what you could be dealing with BEFORE you commit to one. ( I knew what I signed up for.. I work in the Veterinary World. ) Bull Dogs are fun, silly and wonderful dogs- but know they may take you broke and be a handful medically.
I really wish more people would do their research BEFORE they buy that adorable puppy! They could avoid a lot of heartache. Cali is very lucky she has you for her mom....because you know what to look for, and what to do in an emergency. You're a lot braver than I am. :)
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