Want to introduce myself!

[Sandi]

Hello! I wanted to introduce myself and my Frenchie Bugsy Malone (Bug). Bug is my first Frenchie. He was given to me by a breeder because he was a "special needs" Frenchie. He was born with a hiatal hernia and was not doing well. We took him in and had him only a week when he got really sick. We rushed him to the emergency vets on a Saturday night. He had a diaphramatic hernia as well as his hiatal hernia. His spleen,stomach and intestines were in his chest and he could not breathe! They tried to get a surgeon in that night to do surgery to no avail. They were able to find a surgeon on Sunday (Superbowl Sunday) that was willing to come in to save his life! He has survived the surgery and 6 weeks of bed rest and is running around playing as I type!
For this reason he is a very special little guy to me. I spent many many days lying with him in bed. (the only way to keep him calm was to lay with him). So, he has become a really sweet sweet little boy. He is all better now but still has acid reflux which we are trying to solve with different meds. He is on Tagament now. It seems that he spits up mostly after he plays! Bummer! But we just feel so lucky that he is still with us.
I will post a picture of him as soon as I figure out how to do that. He is a fawn with a white blaze. He is also on the small side because of his slow start in life. He only weighed 8 pounds when I got him at 4 months. (his sisters weighed 12 pounds) Since surgery he is making up for lost time. He gained over a pound and a half in just 10 days! Now at 6 months he weighs over 13 pounds!!! Yeah Bug!!!
Well anyways sorry for the long intrductions. I just wanted to also see if anyone out there has experience with a hiatal hernia or acid reflux? I can use all the help I can get! We are also training him to be a therapy dog since he is so calm and loving!
Sandi

[Carolyn]

Oh my goodness...bless you for taking Bug into your heart! I am so happy to hear he is doing well and I am thinking you are a special person to be so willing to take on a special needs dog. I have never heard of a Frenchie with this condition. Your information is so valuable and I thank you for sharing. Welcome and please with us what you learn about Bug's condition. Big kisses to him from me and my two Frenchies Abby and Ferris. :p

[Kelly+Manja]

Yes you definitely are special. Kisses from me and Manja too :p

[Sandi]

There - My husband helped me post my picture of Bugsy for you all to see. Actually I am the lucky one. Bugsy is a very very special little guy and we feel very fortunate to have him with us!
Sandi

[Carolyn]

Sandi (and husband)...Bugsy is beautiful! This breed is so special and I know that you know that! ;)
Our two (Abby and Ferris) have so enriched our lives and I cannot imagine life without them. I am always happy to hear that there are others who know what I am talking about. Frenchies are just the best! Hope to hear more about Bugsy. appicon

[Sandi]

I agree with you Carolyn! This is one of the best breeds I have ever owned. Previously we have had Pugs which I loved as well BUT i love how laid back my little guy is! He has such a dry sense of humor too! He loves to tease us! Are yours like that?
Sandi

[Carolyn]

Sandi...these Frenchies are the most amusing dogs I have ever met! After a stressful day at work I am reminded that life is wonderful and full of laughter when I return home and Abby and Ferris are there. The amount of love that they give is a constant reminder to us that life is wonderful. :p

[Pattie]

Sandi: Welcome & kudos to you for taking on the challenge of Bugsy's problems. He is beautiful & I am glad to hear he is doing so well after his surgery. As far as the acid reflux, be persistent with the medication. My Madison is on pepcid, twice a day & has been for almost 3 years. It seems to help him, although he has days where he has some regurgitation. Madison is also a special needs boy. He was born with a cleft hard & soft palate which was corrected by surgery & a few revisions. He also has esopageal strictures (probably brought on by the reflux that had gone untreated before we got him). He also has allergies. He like your Bugsy, is very special to us. We have gone through a lot with him & feel so fortunate to have this little creature in our lives. Much luck to you with Bugsy & give him an extra hug from me.

[gilazno]

appicon kudos to you for being so wonderful to little Bug!! what a cutie pie, just adorable. Glad to hear he is doing better and gaining some weight. These dogs are definately in a class of their own..not a single day goes by that Biggie does not make both my husband and I crack up almost to the point of tears with his silly antics and expressive looks. :lol: Before we got Biggie I kept reading that these dogs were little clowns and I would have to agree however these are no bozo the clowns they are more groucho marx types :p congrats, welcome and keep us posted on bug's progress....

[Sandi]

Hi Pattie - I sent a reply but I think I may have sent it wrong it did not show up! I am sooooo glad to hear there is someone else that has gone through this. Bugsy has been on tagament for several weeks now and has not had any relief. So, starting tomorrow we are going to try either Pepcid or Prilosec. We will try the over the counter ones first or the least expensive first and then move up from there since he may be taking them for life.
It usually seems to happen after he has played. Which is a bummer because he is so excited to be able to play. He also seems good for a few days and then the next day he will do it 10 times or so.(Yesterday) and today he is doing well. I just feel sorry for him! I want him to have a "normal" life" Did you try other medications before you tried Pepcid? I would love if you had any other advice to give me! Give Madison a kiss from Bug and Me!
Sandi & Bug