Airway Corrective Surgery for Bulldogs

Meet "West".

This beautiful 5-month-old French Bulldog was born with classic "brachycephalic breed" airway defects: His nostrils were tight and narrow, his soft palate was excessively long and "meaty", and his windpipe (trachea) had a very narrow diameter.

Since dogs thermoregulate (control body temperature) by panting, West would have been at very high risk for heat stroke throughout his life.

The good news is that I surgically corrected his nostrils and his soft palate last week at the same time that I neutered him.

He did great! Check out his nice open post-surgery nostrils! And, that excess chunky soft palate tissue was definitely better in the garbage than hanging in the back of his throat blocking the opening to his windpipe. I just talked with Mom and she says he is doing fantastic!

I love doing airway corrective surgeries... they definitely provide me with a feeling of "instant gratification".

If you have a bulldog breed, please consult with your veterinarian (or better yet me or one of my wonderful doctors) about airway corrective surgery. It's never "too late", right up until your pet collapses or dies from heat stroke.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kimberly Daffner
Family Pet Clinic of Redondo Beach - Soft Tissue Surgery
(310) 376-0072

A note from the Family Pet Clinic of Redondo Beach team:

Dr. Daffner was not only a beloved member of our team but also a dedicated expert in bulldog and flat-nosed breed care. Her knowledge and passion have left a lasting impact on our clinic and the lives of countless pets. As a tribute to her legacy, we have chosen to keep her informational blog posts available on our website. These articles contain a wealth of knowledge that may be helpful to other veterinarians and pet owners. However, please note that we are no longer offering the specialized services mentioned in these blog posts at Family Pet Clinic of Redondo Beach. We sincerely appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at (310) 376-0072. Thank you for your continued support.