BEAUFORT, SC... I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to irresponsible dog owners, but French Bulldogs are a very specialized breed with significant medical needs. As adorable as they are, they require constant attention because of their breathing issues and the many health problems that commonly affect the breed.
We received a call from one of our local veterinarians about a 3-year-old French Bulldog named Remy. He had a prolapsed rectum, and his owner simply did not have the money to provide the emergency care he desperately needed.
When I asked about Remy's overall condition, I was even more concerned. On a body condition scale of 1 to 10, he was only a 4. He was severely underweight and clearly had not been receiving the care he needed.
I agreed to take on Remy's care knowing full well it was going to be costly. He would require multiple surgeries, including repairing his prolapsed rectum and correcting his severe airway problems. Without immediate intervention, his owner's only option would have been euthanasia. As disappointed as I was by Remy's condition, I could not let this sweet little boy lose his life because he needed medical care. His owner made the difficult decision to sign him over, knowing he would never get him back, but grateful that Remy would finally have a chance.
Remy's veterinarian immediately sedated him and placed a purse-string suture to temporarily hold the prolapsed rectum in place. X-rays were taken, but because Remy was so thin, there wasn't enough body fat to clearly outline his abdominal organs. Bloodwork, a urinalysis, and fecal testing revealed that he was heavily infested with parasites, which certainly contributed to his poor condition.
He was immediately started on a highly digestible gastrointestinal diet to help him absorb nutrients and safely gain weight. He remained hospitalized until he was stable and had gained enough strength for the surgeries he desperately needed.
By the time Remy arrived at Noah's Arks Rescue, he was malnourished, heavily parasitized, and already showing signs of breathing difficulty. With the intense Lowcountry summer heat, it was only a matter of time before his compromised airway became a life-threatening emergency.
Once Remy had gained enough weight and was medically stable, he was finally cleared for surgery.
An ultrasound was performed beforehand to evaluate his enlarged prostate. During surgery, our veterinary specialists performed a colopexy, permanently attaching his colon to the abdominal wall to help prevent another rectal prolapse. He was also neutered during the same procedure.
After recovering, Remy underwent a second surgery to widen his narrowed nostrils (nares) and shorten his elongated soft palate (staphylectomy) to correct his Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). These procedures will allow him to breathe far more comfortably and dramatically improve his quality of life.
Every one of these procedures costs thousands of dollars.
When we agreed to take in this very special little French Bulldog, we knew we were committing to extensive medical care. There was never any question about whether we would help him—we simply couldn't let him suffer.
Today, Remy is recovering beautifully. Because of the extreme summer heat here in the South Carolina Lowcountry, he must remain indoors while he continues to heal. He enjoys short trips outside for bathroom breaks but otherwise spends his days resting comfortably in the air conditioning.
Despite everything he has endured, Remy is an absolute delight. He loves everyone he meets and gets so excited when he can gently play with some of the smaller dogs here at Noah's Arks Rescue. Every week we see a little more confidence, a little more strength, and a little more happiness. We can't wait to watch him continue to thrive as the weather cools and his body fully heals.
Stories like Remy's are exactly why Noah's Arks Rescue exists. We step in when animals have nowhere else to turn, but we can't do it without your help.
Please consider making a donation today. Every dollar helps us recover the enormous cost of Remy's surgeries and allows us to continue saying "yes" to the next dog whose life depends on it.
