Question
Profile Image
Amber | 6 years ago
I Am The Owner Of A 2 Year Old English Bulldog. Last Year His Urethra Prolapsed And …

I am the owner of a 2 year old English Bulldog. Last year his urethra prolapsed and he received a purse string suture and was neutered at the pet ER in Bel Air. The issue resolved itself and he had been doing well until this last week when the urethra prolapsed again. We took him through the Towson pet ER so he could see a surgical specialist. They evaluated him and suggested surgery. After surgery they sent him home to recover and stressed the importance of him staying calm. We stayed by his side, even staying home from work, to ensure that he didn’t do anything to distrupt the healing. We kept him in a play pen and carried him up and down the stairs to potty. Two days after the surgery (and lots of bloody laundry later) we noticed that he was extremely uncomfortable even while on the pain and sedative meds. We also noticed the protrusion of his urethra tissue. We took him back to the surgeon and they confirmed that the urethra has prolapsed and they have recommended that the surgery be performed for a second time (tomorrow). We have ruled out the obvious contributing factors that may cause pressure such as stones, uti, etc. Any thoughts for treatment options moving forward? Are we missing anything? I just want our little guy to start feeling well again! Thank you.

Amber

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    These are really frustrating cases. I’m so sorry about your experience and I empathize completely. I guess my first concern is that we don’t often know why this happens. My second concern is that you are going to repeat the same surgery and it should be assumed the failure has a pretty fair chance of happening again. My preference as the surgeon for cases like these (and they happen to all of us) is to both offer a redo (although I will admit I rarely charge or I charge a nominal redo fee) is to also offer a different surgeon to try over. My concern is that failing twice is an awful big expenditure and a tough explanation as to why I didn’t see that coming. My personal preference is to refer these difficult refractory cases to the vet teaching hospitals. They have faster easier and better access to more minds and more diverse experience. You just can’t get that at a private facility. I use UPenn or va tech vet schools. They are often cheaper and give a broader access to options and experience. I hope this helps. Please let me know what happens. I would love to hear a follow up and I would love to hear about your previous surgery and experience. Especially to add this to our storylines page. It is such a unique case. Very best of luck. Krista.

    1. Amber Post author

      Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions. We will move forward with the second attempt to repair the prolapse despite the low success rate and cost associated. If it is unsuccessful we will need to get another opinion. I hadn’t thought to consult with a vet school and I think that is great advice. I will certainly keep you posted along the way.

  2. Laura

    I want to second Dr. M’s recommendation of a vet school. UPenn is phenomenal – we drove up from Timonium. They couldn’t help my puppy but they literally threw everything they could at him to diagnose his issue, and it was more than the local vets could do.

Regular Vet Visit
Profile Image
Suzanne Cannon | 6 years ago
Jake, An American Bulldog, Gets Neutered
Treatment Cost (USD): $370.96
Jake is a happy and healthy American Bulldog puppy who was scheduled to be neutered at around 9 months old.
0 Responses
Regular Vet Visit
Profile Image
Suzanne Cannon | 6 years ago
Canine Neuter – Jax’s Story
Treatment Cost (USD): $498.20
At around 7 months old, Jax began showing signs of anxiousness and stubbornness, and he started "humping everything." Jax's veterinarian recommended neutering - along with regular exercise and consistent discipline - to reduce his anxiety and sexual acting out.
0 Responses
Regular Vet Visit
Profile Image
Krista Magnifico | 6 years ago
This Is Boots. A YouNg Overweight Beagle Who Was Scooting. My Top Rule Outs For…
Scooting, spinning on her back end.
0 Responses
Regular Vet Visit
Profile Image
Krista Magnifico | 6 years ago
This Is Boots. A YouNg Overweight Beagle Who Was Scooting. My Top Rule Outs For…
Scooting, spinning on her back end.
0 Responses
Regular Vet Visit
Profile Image
Krista Magnifico | 6 years ago
Eva Is A 7 Year Old Mixed Breed Dog Was Dental Disease. She Had Grade…
Treatment Cost (USD): $380.00
Eva’s dental Disease was noted on her recent annual physical examination.
0 Responses
Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
My French Bulldog Is Scooting, Scratching, And Barking At Butt What Could Be Wrong She…

my french bulldog is scooting, Scratching, and barking at butt what could be wrong she has also developed hives from soap allergy about a week ago could that be the issue

2 Responses

Comments

  1. Kelly Maynard

    could be allergic to flea medicine…

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 8 years ago
French Bulldog Keeps Shivering And Breathing Small Fast Breaths!!!

French bulldog keeps shivering and breathing small fast breaths!!!

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    I’m sorry but there is not enough information to recommend anything other than to treat this as an emergency and recommend that go immediately to the closest vet hospital or your vet.

  2. Maria Simonova

    He is 8 months old. This morning he has vomitted everywhere twice, then later on was very drowsy on his walk. After about 4pm he ate a bowl of food and starting shivering/shaking and breathing small fast breaths. He then stopped shaking a little but has still continuous small faster breaths than usual. What could be the reason this has happened?

  3. Krista Magnifico

    There are literally hundreds of things that can cause this. I’m sorry but an examination is needed to help narrow the long list.

Question
Profile Image
Ed Burman | 9 years ago
Can I Give My 100 Pound American Bulldog Off The Shelf Glucosamine Chondroitin From Rite…

Can I give my 100 pound American Bulldog off the shelf glucosamine chondroitin from Rite Aid to help her hips and joints?

1 Response

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello Ed,
    I am sorry but the site was down for upgrades. It was down much longer than expected.
    I would always recommend that you stick with a reputable manufacturer like Nutramaxx. Unfortunately these are nutriceuticals, which are not overseen or mandated by the FDA so you are never really sure what you are getting unless you buy a respected brand. Nutramaxx products (most of them) are available OTC. Sorry for the delay

Question
Profile Image
Pawbly | 9 years ago
I Have An American Bulldog Who Is Almost 2 Years Old. Despite Training, He Is…

I have an American Bulldog who is almost 2 years old. Despite training, he is very aggressive towards other dogs. He was attacked by a pit bull, on our property, before he was a year old and every since will not tolerate any other dogs or any kind of animals for that matter. We have paid quite a bit for training to try and help him socialize but after a while he is back to his old self. No one will board him and we can’t take him anywhere that has a lot of people or other animals. He’s great at home and wonderful with our children, so I am at a loss s to what to do. He also has pretty bad hip problems and is in pain a lot if he gets a lot of exercise. I love him so much, as does my family, but I want to do the right, humane thing. Help.

3 Responses

Comments

  1. Madelyn Fischer

    Hello, as an extreme animal lover, I say no, try to train and comfort as much as you can, but I don’t know you and I can’t tell you what to do. That’s the last case scenario. Good luck!

  2. Madelyn Fischer

    Hi Krista, I totally agree.

  3. Crystal Williams

    We have done two extensive training courses for his aggression . One two week program and one five week, away from home program.