Having had little improvement from an original BOAS surgery, Zena was so bad she almost didn’t survive a simple sedation. Upon a full revision surgery from Dr Davids, (including palate thinning that was not originally done), Zena was a completely new dog.
BB is an excellent example of cognitive dissonance that is part of owning a bulldog. Cognitive dissonance is the inability to see obvious concerns as they have been ‘normalised”. Believing BB was a totally healthy, fit and normal Bulldog, her owner still elected for “preventative airway correction“ before any signs developed, as that made sense to him. However, the difference post-surgery was astounding, with 80% more energy and a far happier dog. We all believe our brachycephlics have no problems, because that’s what the breeders want you to believe. BB’s story is common.
Told by two vets that there’s no need for surgery as snoring is “not that bad”, her improvements in snoring and exercise tolerance and happiness in life were significant. BB is another excellent example that significant improvements are likely in most dogs that are considered normal with no concerns. The fact that many seemingly “normal” dogs have significant improvements in happiness and life tells us we have a big problem with these breeds. All these breeds benefit from surgery, even if they don’t ‘need it’ to live.
At six years of age, Woody’s improvement was significant with a much healthier, more enjoyable life. To the owners dismay she realised Woody had lived six years far more uncomfortable that he needed to.
At five years of age before doing airway correction, Clyde was lucky to get such a huge improvement. But no longer vomiting and with a huge improvement in exercise ability, his life is massively improved. The saddest thing is the five unnecessary years of vomiting, not enjoying toys and restricted exercise that he need not have endured had airway corection been done at 12 months of age. It’s never too late, but ideally consider preventative surgery, no reactionary.
Roxy is another dog that endured numerous years of subtle but unnecessary lethargy and exercise intolerance, only to be a new dog full of life after correcting her airways. As good a result as Roxy got, preventative surgery at 12 months would have meant 5 much happier years than she had.