10/20/2024
Recently I said no to a client. It wasnāt the first time, and unfortunately wont be the last. It never gets easier.
I told the client I wouldnāt help with the breeding of a bitch. I almost went through with it and caved because I felt pressured, but I said no. I took the girl to draw blood for a progesterone, and as I watched her struggling to breathe I couldnāt take it anymore.
There was a quick disagreement about how she isnāt this noisy at home, and a statement about how they did have to use a small endotracheal tube at her last c-section as we discussed why I didnāt feel comfortable going forward with breeding this female. I could not hear her heart on auscultation despite multiple attempts. I was reassured that she doesnāt have a murmur because previous vets hadnāt mentioned anything. How do I know their notes didnāt just say ācould not appreciate murmur if present due to significant stertorā (the snort noise a bulldog makes).
Iāll be honest, itās hard as a vet telling people that the beloved pet in their hands has a problem, and isnāt the perfect baby they thought. It can be even more gut wrenching and anxiety inducing when working with breeders.
What worries me the most is the present and future of bully/bulldog breeds. Donāt take this as me not liking the breeds. Nothing can turn a bad day around faster than a happy well-bred French bulldog or bully demanding affection. Unfortunately the condition I see them in a majority of the time is the opposite. Scared to walk, never vaccinated, poor coat condition overtaken with allergies, lame, never socialized.
Unfortunately the majority are being bred as statement pieces, such as designer shoes or purses. The more exotic the colors and structure the more they are worth. Negligence for the health and future health of puppies. In general I have seen a complete lack of will to improve the breed, or to even have a discussion about how to improve. I fear that if the breeding culture of bully breeds does not improve it will set the stage for rigorous laws for breeding practices in the US. We are already seeing certain states and cities trying to be strict on breeding practices.
Iām am in no way saying that no bully should ever be bred, but I just wish for the breed that serious discussions could be had to improve the culture around breeding. All I want is a world where new puppy owners donāt have to watch their beloved pets die from respiratory distress just because it went outside to play in the summer months. A world where these dogs can move without being in constant pain and not limp their entire lives from having severe elbow dysplasia, concurrent hip dysplasia, and a torn cruciate. Or even worse, the increase in IVDD (spinal paralysis) in French Bulldogs increasing at a rate that I am sure now surpasses dachshunds. It is devastating and costly for owners to treat. More importantly, I wish to see the females treated as dogs, and not just an incubator for future puppies and more money.
I recognize that there is no breed that is perfect and doesnāt have their own set of problems. My own breeds have many things we can improve on. I recognize it is a balance of improving health while at the same time not creating a bottleneck for diversity.
Hereās to hoping this reaches those who are open to a discussion and change. Hereās to nothing but happy and healthy Bully and Bulldog kisses (I bet you are imagining the notorious Bully crouch and but wiggle and just smiled). Lastly, to my fellow vets, we do really hard things every day. Saying no can seem impossible, and Iāll be the first to say I need to improve, but our oath includes the prevention and relief of animal pain and suffering. We can make a difference and improve the future by saying no.
Veterinarian in Colorado Springs who is a general practitioner with special interest in reproduction
