Why did I take Arnie to Germany for airway surgeries when they do BOAS surgery in America? Because BOAS is much more complex than pinched nares and elongated palates. If you want to learn more, join our facebook group, Brachycephalic Breathing Awareness.
Hey Guys,
As many of you know I have struggled with allergies for years. I was constantly itchy, covered in sores, and taking antibiotics for skin infections. I see a dermatologist and have tried ALL the different allergy meds. Seriously, we tried everything. Nothing helped. So I was forced to take steroids for a long time to keep the inflammation tamped, but then I had the side effects of steroids. Then we got smart and did more in-depth allergy testing. Turns out I am severely allergic to Bermuda grass. WTH!!! My entire yard was Bermuda grass, which basically means I was living completely surrounded by Arnie-Kryptonite.
My human then got smart and ripped all of the grass out of the yard. It was just a dirt lot. ALL of my allergies magically disappeared. I weaned off the steroids and was no meds! Then we went back to the dermatologist and I was tested to see if I am allergic to other types of grass. Turns out I have zero allergies to fescue. So my human installed fescue in my yard and guess what? I am allergy free, medication free, and loving my new grass! I’m acting like a puppy again despite the fact that I am an old man. Makes me feel spicy!
Moral of the story is - remove the kryptonite from your life.
I just got a notification that Arnie turned 10 and a half today. I have mixed emotions. On one hand, I am like “yay, Arnie, yay! You beat the odds and are a senior citizen now!” On the other, I am feeling greedy and need him to give me at least five more years. I dread him getting older and having to deal with the inevitable one day. I can never thank him enough for all the gifts of knowledge and friendship he’s given me over the years. What a blessing.
Anyway, a merrieth unbirthday to ArnStar. And a video to hear how quietly he still sleeps all these years after his trip to Germany for surgery.
Guys, I now have an even bigger and better jelly fat roll! Oh yeah!
Anyone who has followed the life and times of Arnie for awhile now knows that we are constantly looking for the perfect bed or solution that allows Arns to prop his head to help him breathe better while laying down. I think we finally found a winner. This is a positioner used to help prevent bed sores and pressure sores for bed bound people. This is technically a pediatric chest positioner. The gel is supposed to emulate body fat. So far, it seems comfy. If this works, we will buy a few to keep around the house.
*oh, I didn’t tell you guys that he now has a pressure sore on his chin from propping it all the time which is what led to us purchasing this.
For his 10th birthday, Arnie ended up getting a really nasty corneal ulcer. By some miracle, this is his first one ever. He’s just so freaking itchy from allergies, he is constantly rubbing his face on everything. He sees a dermatologist and within 10 minutes of her hearing about his eye, she called to check on him. She admitted that Arnie is her toughest patient so far in her career because he’s not responding to any treatments how she had hoped, so she is forced to use steroids. Yet he is still itchy AF. He truly does have the best doctors.
Corneal ulcers, very painful and very common in the breed. Just another frenchie problem to add to the list of why we need to rethink our love affair with the flat faces.
VEGAS peeps:
A local vet clinic reached out to me to try and help find this girl a home. Her family surrendered her to them after they decided they cannot care for a paralyzed dog. She is spayed, UTD on vaccines, and is continent and potty trained. She cannot use her hind legs due to IVDD. Right now she is living at the vet clinic until she can find a family to call her own. If anyone is interested, please PM me or leave a comment and I will reach out to you. I am hopefully going to meet her tomorrow. I am not sure about her breathing, but if she needs BOAS surgery, I am willing to do a fundraiser on this page, in my facebook group on brachycephalic health, and on my personal pages to pay for it. There is no rehome fee, but we will want to check references.
It is so difficult to find families for IVDD dogs. PLEASE, let’s find this girl a home!
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Guys, you will be happy to know Blizzy Boy is officially off crate rest and ready to party!
Just picked up Blizzy from the hospital. Poor guy. Not the way he was hoping to ring in the new year, but at least can start the healing process and get off crate rest sooner rather than later. I plan to do a post soon about the realities of vet bills by adding up Blizz’s from this year alone. This isn’t something I have ever done before because, quite honestly, it is depressing to see how much money all of this costs. Unfortunately, the true price is paid by these dogs.
A lot of people might think I am unlucky, but I suspect the truth is that a lot of people allow their frenchies to live their lives with BOAS, IVDD, dental and orthopedic issues, and so on because: a) it is expensive; b) they are afraid of the anesthesia; and c) they don’t see it as a big deal. I can’t do that because in my opinion, it is selfish, especially when modern medicine can help make their quality of life better. Look up the term “cognitive dissonance.” It is a real thing, especially when it comes to animals.
I also want to point out that I adopted Blizz 5 years ago when he was an adorable, bouncy happy puppy because I wasn’t ready to give up my beloved frenchie breed. When you first get the puppy, you have no idea what is in store healthwise a few years down the road. It is a crapshoot, whether the frenchie comes from a “top” breeder or a puppy mill (Blizz was rescued from a puppy mill) and that is because the real problems are with the breed and their genetics. I thought that with his nose, Blizz would be the exception. Well, his breathing is still good. But the other frenchie problems have reared their ugly head. It is usually when they are about 4 or 5 years old that the problems start to get worse and Blizz was no exception.
I don’t write as much about this stuff as I once did simply because I am tired, very few listen, and I have a small following (for which I am grateful for - trust me - you guys have gotten me through some tough times with yo
What in the actual 🤬, Guys? I just got off antibiotics a few days ago. Luckily my doctors love me and got me more antibiotics within an hour of my human contacting them this morning. Hopefully, I clear up soon.
I have a dermatology appointment tomorrow, so will be sure to pick her brain about this, as well. My human also emailed my dentist to see if he has any ideas. I have an appointment with him in three weeks. I mean, it could be my teeth again. That wouldn’t be good because anesthesia and my heart tend to disagree with one another. Remember, I tried to die on two different occasions while under.
This just sucks. Every damn year this happens but this year is especially bad. I suspect this could be a side effect of the surgery I had in Germany since he removed the turbinates from inside my nose. Turbinates help filter and moisten air as it enters the nose, but mine are gone. I will take snotty noses over not being able to sleep or eat but dammit, Guys, I just want to breathe.
In better news, tomorrow is my last day on elimination diet food! 🙌
* I don’t want any messages about putting me to sleep. I have a decent quality of life. I like to eat, play, wrestle with Blizz, go for walks on cool days to check all the neighbors peemail. I sleep well. Is my life perfect? No, it 1,000% could be better. But as of now, I am happy and good. I have access to excellent healthcare and vets who will be honest if they think it is my time. It’s not! If I get a message about this, I will just block you so scroll along.
Crabigail is doing well post op. Auntie M is keeping a close eye on her. Pretty soon she will forget she ever had a 4th leg.
Guys, does anyone who lives near a beach want to adopt Blizz and me? We belong here. We deserve daily trips to feel the sand between our toes. 🌊 Said adopter must also agree to no vet appointments, no allergy baths, no diets of any kind & only homemade food, allow me (but not Blizz) to sometimes pee in the house, never leave me home alone even for 5 minutes, keep your mattress on the floor so I can get in and out of bed, and keep your thermostat set at morgue at all times. I mean, I’m pretty easy.
Quick vid of Miss Crabigail playing around before her big surgery tomorrow. Thank you again to everyone for helping her out. She truly appreciates it. She’s such a perfect wee Halloween kitty. 🎃🐈⬛
Alright, now send those good vibes her way!
