Hi everyone,
I have never owned a Frenchie before, but have always loved them. 2 weeks ago, I ran into someone looking for a home for a 2 year old Frenchie that had been rescued a month earlier. His original owner was a truck driver who kept him in a crate 24/7 in a truck with the exception of bathroom breaks. Immediately upon seeing this dog, my heart broke. He was so skinny with his ribs and spine showing, his back legs were bowed out and his breathing sounded labored. Aside from those things, he was the sweetest little guy I had ever seen. In exchange for paying his vet fees from rescue (rabies, heartworm tests, etc), we were given the dog (with his AKC papers, food and meds) and we were told he was in good health other than being malnourished and an eye and ear infection that he was treated for. The kids named him Tootsie. =)
After a few days at the house, it became clear there was more going on. He would vomit every time he ate or drank anything...which in part I assume is why he is so thin. His back legs also have no muscle tone at all. I don't know if that can be attributed to him living 2 years in a crate. While he walks ok with a strange gait, he has a very odd bow legged hind legs stance and he tends to sit like a frog on top of his own feet. He has little care for how his back legs are positioned. In that first week, we tried buying the "hamster" water bottle to slow down his water intake, but that didn't work. We have now resorted to ice cubes instead of water. We feed him in tiny increments and soak the dry food in water first and then it is 50/50 of whether or not he will keep it all down, but its better than he was.
Last week (1 1/2 weeks after getting him) my boyfriend took him to the vet. As we feared, he is not in good health. The vet said she had never seen a Frenchie with as bad breathing as him and feared he may not make it through the summer heat with such poor breathing. They recommended a palate surgery along with neutering him. While he is under, they want to check him for neurological issues related to his hind end. She also mentioned that she couldn't locate his kneecaps. They also want to check his eyes as he appears to have problems with his tear ducts that result in constant crust in his eyes.
Long story short, his surgery is scheduled for next week (Feb 2). I am just overwhelmed by all of this. He has only been in our family for a few weeks, but he is already loved. I don't know anyone in my circle that has a Frenchie and of course most people think we are insane for getting ourselves into this with a dog we've had a few weeks. I am basically looking for feedback about what to expect after surgery. Have people seen a lot of improvement with eating and breathing? Also, is anyone familiar with the issues I described with his hind legs?
Sorry this was so long. Thanks so much everyone!
I have never owned a Frenchie before, but have always loved them. 2 weeks ago, I ran into someone looking for a home for a 2 year old Frenchie that had been rescued a month earlier. His original owner was a truck driver who kept him in a crate 24/7 in a truck with the exception of bathroom breaks. Immediately upon seeing this dog, my heart broke. He was so skinny with his ribs and spine showing, his back legs were bowed out and his breathing sounded labored. Aside from those things, he was the sweetest little guy I had ever seen. In exchange for paying his vet fees from rescue (rabies, heartworm tests, etc), we were given the dog (with his AKC papers, food and meds) and we were told he was in good health other than being malnourished and an eye and ear infection that he was treated for. The kids named him Tootsie. =)
After a few days at the house, it became clear there was more going on. He would vomit every time he ate or drank anything...which in part I assume is why he is so thin. His back legs also have no muscle tone at all. I don't know if that can be attributed to him living 2 years in a crate. While he walks ok with a strange gait, he has a very odd bow legged hind legs stance and he tends to sit like a frog on top of his own feet. He has little care for how his back legs are positioned. In that first week, we tried buying the "hamster" water bottle to slow down his water intake, but that didn't work. We have now resorted to ice cubes instead of water. We feed him in tiny increments and soak the dry food in water first and then it is 50/50 of whether or not he will keep it all down, but its better than he was.
Last week (1 1/2 weeks after getting him) my boyfriend took him to the vet. As we feared, he is not in good health. The vet said she had never seen a Frenchie with as bad breathing as him and feared he may not make it through the summer heat with such poor breathing. They recommended a palate surgery along with neutering him. While he is under, they want to check him for neurological issues related to his hind end. She also mentioned that she couldn't locate his kneecaps. They also want to check his eyes as he appears to have problems with his tear ducts that result in constant crust in his eyes.
Long story short, his surgery is scheduled for next week (Feb 2). I am just overwhelmed by all of this. He has only been in our family for a few weeks, but he is already loved. I don't know anyone in my circle that has a Frenchie and of course most people think we are insane for getting ourselves into this with a dog we've had a few weeks. I am basically looking for feedback about what to expect after surgery. Have people seen a lot of improvement with eating and breathing? Also, is anyone familiar with the issues I described with his hind legs?
Sorry this was so long. Thanks so much everyone!
ray:
