Two Bulldogs. Two Surgeries. One Practice. When Is It More Than Coincidence?

If you own a Bulldog, there may come a time when your vet recommends a surgical procedure.

Sometimes it might be an elective procedure, such as a spay. Other times, it could be a corrective operation, such as cherry eye surgery, or orthopaedic treatment after an injury.

These types of procedures are commonly performed in veterinary practice and are often described as straightforward.

​But recently I heard about something that made me pause and think more carefully about how easily we accept that reassurance.

​Two Dogs, Two Surgeries

Within a short period of time, two Bulldogs died after surgery at the same veterinary practice.

The dogs were not related. They belonged to different owners and had no connection to one another beyond being treated at the same clinic.

One was a four-month-old Bulldog puppy who had undergone a cherry eye tack.

The other was a three-year-old Bulldog who had undergone ACL surgery.

Both were described as healthy Bulldogs from health-tested heritage with moderate features.

Both were discharged the same day as their surgery.

After returning home, both dogs developed dry coughing.

At first they appeared stable.

Then each dog deteriorated and died within 24 hours, reportedly during rest or sleep.

Two different dogs.
Two different operations.
Two different owners.

Yet the sequence of events sounded remarkably similar.

​When something like this happens, it is natural for owners to start asking questions.

​Why Anaesthesia Requires Careful Management in Bulldogs

Bulldogs have an airway anatomy that differs from that of longer-muzzled breeds.

Even well-bred Bulldogs with moderate features still have a shorter airway and softer tissues around the throat. This means anaesthesia requires careful airway management.

During surgery, a breathing tube is placed into the airway to protect it and allow the dog to receive oxygen and anaesthetic gases safely.

When the dog wakes up, that tube is removed and the airway must take over again on its own.

For brachycephalic breeds, that transition can sometimes be more sensitive.

Importantly, complications linked to anaesthesia do not always occur during the surgery itself. They can appear during the recovery phase, or even several hours after the dog has already gone home.
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That is why the period following surgery deserves just as much attention as the operation itself.

​Preparation Before Surgery Matters

Reducing risk begins before the dog even enters the operating theatre.

Owners should follow fasting instructions carefully. Food in the stomach increases the chance of regurgitation during anaesthesia, which in turn increases the risk of material entering the lungs.

​It is also important to tell your vet about any breathing history your dog may have. Heavy snoring, noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, or previous issues with anaesthesia are all relevant details.

Even Bulldogs with moderate features can vary individually in how their airway behaves under anaesthesia.
If your dog is being discharged the same day, it is sensible to plan your evening in advance. Make sure someone will be available to monitor your dog and avoid leaving them alone for long periods during the first night.

​The First Night After Surgery

When your dog comes home after anaesthesia, observation is important.

If your dog shows coughing, gagging, breathing changes, unusual lethargy, restlessness, or collapse, contact your vet immediately.

Even something that appears minor, such as dry coughing, should not be ignored after surgery.
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Owners know their dogs well. If something does not feel right, it is always safer to call and ask for advice.

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​Keep a Record of Veterinary Advice

Another practical step owners can take is keeping clear records of conversations with their veterinary practice.

When discussing surgery, risks, or aftercare instructions, it can be helpful to record phone calls or in-person discussions for your own reference, or ask for written instructions.
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This simply ensures that advice is remembered accurately and helps prevent misunderstandings later.

​If the Worst Happens, Request a Post-Mortem

One of the hardest things for owners after a sudden loss is not knowing what happened.

Without a post-mortem examination, the cause of death may remain uncertain.

A veterinary post-mortem can identify issues such as aspiration into the lungs, airway obstruction, blood clots, heart abnormalities, or complications related to anaesthesia.

If serious questions arise about the care provided, a post-mortem can also be important because veterinary practices have a legal duty of care toward the animals they treat.
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Understanding the cause of death is often the only way to establish what truly happened.

​Being an Informed Owner

Anaesthesia is an essential part of modern veterinary medicine. It allows dogs to receive treatments that improve their health, mobility, and comfort.

But informed owners are an important part of keeping dogs safe.

Preparation before surgery, careful observation afterwards, keeping records of advice, and requesting proper investigation if something goes wrong are all reasonable steps for any owner to take.

Because when it comes to our dogs, asking questions is not being difficult.
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It is simply being responsible.