Alice the Bulldog

Let’s have a look at what this sum of money bought her family…

23/03 (owned for one week)

Umbilical hernia

Vaccinations and advocate

13/04

Booster vaccinations and microchip

10/06

UTI

Possible neurological issues?

15/06

Drinks roughly 500ml each time water offered

When walking outside will take a few steps then sink down onto the chest and forelegs with rump in the air, will get up and repeat every few steps

No change in mentation when happening, dog appears aware of surroundings

Radiographs lateral pelvis/abdomen, VD pelvis, VD chest/ forelegs.

No obvious calculi in bladder.

Spine appears normal except for screw tail normal for bulldogs

Hips- femoral heads appear small for size of acetabulums but large growth plates still present so difficult to fully assess at this age.

Heart appears normal size on DV view.

Cortisol low, cannot rule out Addison’s disease

Hip confirmation appears poor

Plan:

Urine culture shows multi-resistant UTI – will need 4-6 weeks of doxycycline

Next step would be ACTH stim to check for Addison’s, and a referral for neurological assessment

Outcome:

Last Monday, Alice was relinquished to the vet for euthanasia. Her owner could not cope with the stress of owning a dog with such huge growing health concerns, and did not wish to return her to her breeder.

With the owner’s permission Alice was surrendered to HURRAH for a second chance at life. This chance is likely to come with substantial costs, and may not guarantee a positive outcome for Alice, but when people bring dogs into this world they must do so with morality, and with full acceptance of the responsibilities that their little lives bring.

Today, Alice is off to see a small animal specialist for further assessment and prognosis. Once we have gathered all of the facts surrounding her illness we will touch base with her breeder.

In the meantime, once again we must ask you to dig deep. Please help Alice, we can’t do this alone.