Ella Update: Eye, tail pocket and more!

Nicole G · Jun 24, 2016

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in updating on Ella but we've been incredibly busy.

We took our first trip to an actual bully vet. Now I have more questions than I did when I started! As [MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] thought (and thank you again for the help!

), she did have a small infection in her tail pocket. The vet was utterly unconcerned, so we came home with a bag full of products to clear it up. It's allergy related. I was so glad I got her there when I did because it's easily treatable. Everything else is status quo - even her weight is perfect - 18 lbs. on the dot and they said that's right on the mark she should be on. So that made me happy.

So that's were it gets complicated.

I have to schedule her surgery for next week (ugh!

). It's for the cherry eye and I'm dreading it (I know), but she's sure it will be fine and that it won't reoccur so I'm grateful for that. However, she mentioned to me that Ell's nares are a little narrow and that she would like to do them during the eye surgery. I had always though Ell had wide nares for a Frenchie, but I guess I was wrong. That scares me a little - is it worth doing, and how dangerous is it? I'm slightly petrified about this whole surgery in the first place. :tongue:

Oh well. I guess it's always something, right? I'm so worried about my baby.

2bullymama · Jun 24, 2016

Nicole G said:
Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in updating on Ella but we've been incredibly busy.

We took our first trip to an actual bully vet. Now I have more questions than I did when I started! As [MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] thought (and thank you again for the help!), she did have a small infection in her tail pocket. The vet was utterly unconcerned, so we came home with a bag full of products to clear it up. It's allergy related. I was so glad I got her there when I did because it's easily treatable. Everything else is status quo - even her weight is perfect - 18 lbs. on the dot and they said that's right on the mark she should be on. So that made me happy.

So that's were it gets complicated.

I have to schedule her surgery for next week (ugh!). It's for the cherry eye and I'm dreading it (I know), but she's sure it will be fine and that it won't reoccur so I'm grateful for that. However, she mentioned to me that Ell's nares are a little narrow and that she would like to do them during the eye surgery. I had always though Ell had wide nares for a Frenchie, but I guess I was wrong. That scares me a little - is it worth doing, and how dangerous is it? I'm slightly petrified about this whole surgery in the first place. :tongue:

Oh well. I guess it's always something, right? I'm so worried about my baby.

Can you post a picture of her nose,,,

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Nicole G · Jun 24, 2016

Yes! Here she is in the light so you can see it better:

hannah · Jun 24, 2016

They look wide to me??? interesting. Maybe a second opinion would be good?

However IF she does infact need the surgery for her nares then I would go ahead and do it at the same time... so she doesn't have to be put under twice.

2bullymama · Jun 24, 2016

The one nare opposite her cherry eye dies look tight. We had our Bulldog nares done at 16 weeks and now at almost 2, he doesn't even snore

I'd do both at sam time...

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Nicole G · Jun 24, 2016

Here is a slightly better picture:

Londonfrench · Jun 24, 2016

Firstly what a gorgeous bully !!

it's hard to tell from pics. To me buddy's look very tight and he snores terribly perhaps I should get them looked at. Glad to hear vet said weight etc all good for u

Jakeyjake · Jun 24, 2016

If you decide she should have it done then I would do it at the same time as the cherry eye. Does she snore?

Nicole G · Jun 24, 2016

[MENTION=1957]Londonfrench[/MENTION] Thank you! Buddy is gorgeous too.
[MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] [MENTION=1276]hannah[/MENTION] I think getting a second opinion is a good idea. Her one is a touch smaller than the other but it's mostly just the angle - when you see her person they're pretty much even.
[MENTION=600]Jakeyjake[/MENTION] No, no snoring! Very rarely and usually only if she was teething.

hannah · Jun 24, 2016

Yeah I would def get a second opinion if I was you . Do it before her eye surgery though! You don't want her to have multiple surgeries (if you can avoid it)

Nicole G · Jun 25, 2016

[MENTION=1276]hannah[/MENTION] yeah. To be honest, thinking about it now, I don't know if I'm a huge fan of that vet. She was top rated yet she barely spent any time with us, and I get the feeling the nares are something they just do because they can. Poor Ellie has been to six vets since she was born and all of them except for this one told me how well she can breathe for a Frenchie!

Jakeyjake · Jun 25, 2016

Nicole G said:
[MENTION=1276]hannah[/MENTION] yeah. To be honest, thinking about it now, I don't know if I'm a huge fan of that vet. She was top rated yet she barely spent any time with us, and I get the feeling the nares are something they just do because they can. Poor Ellie has been to six vets since she was born and all of them except for this one told me how well she can breathe for a Frenchie!

I would go with your gut. If she has been to that many vets and they have commented on how well she can breathe, then I would hold off or get the sencond opinion.

blushy · Jun 25, 2016

The cherry eye surgery is worse during the "healing process" than it is day 1. My girls eye dropped and looks red and swollen for about 7-10 days. I was back and forth to the surgeon so many times afterwards! But i wouldn't worry too much! Just prepare for it to look better than worse all at once haha.

Her nares look fine to me? I'd get a second opinion if you feel that the time spent on your dog and making you comfortable wasn't enough.

My boy needs his nares done. They're practically closed!

Going to the vet Monday to get a game plan for surgery together. Needs neutered, soft palette, and nares. Hoping to do them all. But I trust my vet with my frenchies 2,000,000%. I feel extremely blessed to have found her! And even more blessed she's actually in my area!

So I would find a 2nd opinion, or go with your gut on what the other vets said, and just stick with the cherry eye repair.

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Nicole G · Jun 26, 2016

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I truthfully think that E's nares are fine. A family friend, I didn't realize, is a vet that specializes in Pugs, so on Monday we're going to go see her!
[MENTION=894]blushy[/MENTION] Well good luck with Titan! I'm sure he will be fine. He's awesome, by the way

!

Nicole G · Jun 27, 2016

So we went to the friend-recommended vet this morning and she was quite thorough and so kind. I left there in shock after finding out that my poor baby has a staph infection - we've been to three vets and they all told me it was just allergies!

She does cherry eye procedures, and she's open to all options as she's been doing it for 33 years. She strictly follows FBRN's anesthesia policy, and they actually took us around the facility so we could see how clean and up-to-date their surgery room and recovery are. Ell's nares are fine. Ell seemed to like her, and considering she ended up getting cheese I don't think it went too badly, lol.

They gave her a Convenia shot to clear up the infection, along with a medicated shampoo. The shot scared me a little. But it seems like it works so so be it.