Beaumont_Boston Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Hi All, I recently adopted an 11 month old male Boston Terrier. Before purchasing him, the breeder informed me that she had identified him as having Brachycephalic Syndrome and had already had surgery done on his soft palate. So, I took him on a trial as she assured me that this had rectified the problem. Now having had him for 3 weeks and seeing how much it affects his sleeping in particular (Very loud whistling sound which results in sleep apnoea as he has to periodically wake up slightly to gasp for air), I can see that there are still problems. He does not appear to have Stenotic Nares, and the breeder informed me that the vet who performed the soft palate surgery informed her that he was able to get quite a large tube down his trachea, so hopefully that rules out hypolastic trachea. So, I am thinking that either not enough of the soft palate was removed, or he has everted laryngeal saccules, or both. He does make a gurgling/coughing sound quite often which sounds like he has too much mucous stuck in his throat. I have decided not to return him to the breeder as he is a very sweet boy and I want to give him the best opportunity at a high quality of life. I am looking to get him desexed ASAP and so I thought that I would get the vet to take a look/repair his throat at the same time, particularly as it can be risky to put these dogs under general anaesthetic. So, I am wondering if anyone can recommend a very experienced, but economical, vet to see about this issue in the Sydney area? Your help is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Have you spoken to your Breeder again about the dogs condition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumont_Boston Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Yes I have as I was originally going to return him to her for this reason and so I explained at length the problems I have noticed with his breathing. She just said I was welcome to return him if I wanted to. Have you spoken to your Breeder again about the dogs condition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 How old was he when he had the surgery? Do you know who performed the surgery and are you able to consult with them on what was actually done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 The most experienced I know of in Sydney is Dr Tony Black of the Veterinary Specialist Centre in Nth Ryde. He also owns two Pugs and so he is also personaly familiar with the effect of brachy sydnrome. Whilst TOny has not done bracchy surgery on any of my rescues, he has helped with in others areas with Pugs and rescues. He is a fabulous guy. I can also highly recommend Chris Cole from St George Animal Hospital. Chris has done a few surgeries for me. She wqas formerly with the RSPCA in Yagoona. She charges a lot less than Tony too but then Tony is a specialist. It is possible that the palate was not resected enough. I have personaly know a little Pug that has had two lots of surgey to resect the palate. It can, as you said, also be everted saccules. Until they look I guess they won't really know. It may also be something similar to the little rescue Pug I currently have in. Here is a link to the pic of her palate being resected. Soft Palate Resection Thread Link My Vet reported that she is very fleshy behind the epiglottis but they were unable to reach the area safely to resect any and so it was left. Her breathing is very much improved but she can still sound a little congested at times as her saliva also builds up in this area. The Vets that did her surgery, and a number of others of mine, are David Croft and Keith Farrell from Ryde Veterinary Clinic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) So, I am wondering if anyone can recommend a very experienced, but economical, vet to see about this issue in the Sydney area?Your help is greatly appreciated. Dr Rosalie Mathews, Gladesville Vet. 9817 5758 She is very experienced with braccy breeds, lots of breeders and owners use her for braccy related surgery. My Bulldog went to her and my client just took her Cav there and was very pleased with the results. The dog can now sleep the night through. You won't pay specialist prices at Gladesville but the results and service are top shelf. Edited October 27, 2009 by Clyde Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Yes I have as I was originally going to return him to her for this reason and so I explained at length the problems I have noticed with his breathing. She just said I was welcome to return him if I wanted to.Have you spoken to your Breeder again about the dogs condition? Is your breeder in the same state as you as maybe they can reccomend at Surgeon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 May I ask why you are seeking a vet in Sydney, when you give your location as Qld? Would be much better to return the dog to the breeder and not have to spend a lot of money on it. Get another one without problems. I do realise that you are now fond of the dog, but it is a big responsibility, and imho, the breeder's responsibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumont_Boston Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks all for the helpful feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 May I ask why you are seeking a vet in Sydney, when you give your location as Qld?Would be much better to return the dog to the breeder and not have to spend a lot of money on it. Get another one without problems. I do realise that you are now fond of the dog, but it is a big responsibility, and imho, the breeder's responsibility. location defaults to Qld if they dont change it when they join DOL. Mums Aussie bulldog is getting checked out soon, she is having breathing problems, worse then the brit had good luck with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumont_Boston Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Just to follow up on my post in case it will help someone in the future. I ended up taking my Boston Terrier to Karen Hedberg who has a surgery in North Richmond based on the recommendation of a very helpful forum member. His surgery was a week ago, so he is still healing, but already his breathing is much better. He was desexed at the same time and the cost was more than reasonable compared to other prices I have seen quoted on here. It was a bit of an effort to get all the way out to the mountains, but Karen comes with my highest recommendation, she breeds French Bulldogs herself, so has a lot of 'specialist' experience with brachycephalic breeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Fantastic news. Yes his breathing will continue to improve as the swelling goes down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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