This bulldog was bred to be so wrinkly that she was forced to undergo a facelift requiring 100 stitches to remove an 'excessively large' fold of skin over her nose. British bulldog Polly underwent the gruelling two-hour op to remove a two-inch deep strip of skin from above her snout - leaving her 'looking like a shark attack victim'.
The 'excessively large' wrinkle on the bridge of the four-year-old's nose was so deep she was continuously plagued with skin infections and the heavy skin flap also affected her breathing. Despite cleaning it three times a day and applying a barrier cream, the poor rescue pooch was in pain so the decision was taken to undergo the discounted £1,600 surgery.
Now recovering at independent dog rescue Lizzie's Barn Sanctuary, founder Fionna Ashman is highlighting how 'cruel' and painful the desired 'wrinkly' look is. Fionna, from Kidwelly, southwest Wales, said: "They breed bulldogs with wrinkles. Polly had an excessively large wrinkle on the bridge of her nose.
"The creases were so deep that she had constant skin infections on both sides of the wrinkle, which would be very uncomfortable and it was also probably very heavy. She also has a very long and very fatty palate, which makes breathing difficult.
"When she gets excited she gasps, she sounds like an old man snoring but she's wide awake. The excess skin from the wrinkle would also affect her breathing too.
"Before the operation she had a course of antibiotics and we were having to clean it and do our best to dry it completely two or three times a day. We were putting barrier cream on it as well to try and help.
"Before it was removed she had a bit of a bad temper. She was very good about having it bathed but sometimes when I was getting the stuff ready I would get 'the look'. I think it made it feel better but, especially when we first started doing it, it must have been quite painful."
The 61-year-old took in Polly at the end of October and booked her in for surgery at the Cross Hands branch of Vets4Pets in Llanelli. Fionna said: "It was effectively a facelift. She went into the vets to be looked at to decide the best course of action and we decided the skin fold was the first thing to do.
"The operation took a couple of hours and there were two vets working on her. They cut the wedge out and then stitched it up, she looks like a shark attack [victim]. There are probably 100 stitches on there."
Now recovering, Polly is set to undergo the soft palate surgery in a month to help improve her breathing, before eventually being spayed and re-homed - surgeries costing an additional £2,000. Fionna said: "She's doing really well. Once she's signed off from her palate surgery we'll start looking for a home for her.
"She's quite a typical bull dog. She's like a battering ram, if she's going that way she'll barge into you. She's absolutely delightful, she's comical, she loves to make you laugh, she loves children and other dogs, in her eyes the world is her friend.
"British bulldogs have become a very short, squat dog. People don't realise how cruel that look is. I think if people did, they wouldn't want those dogs."
Dr Havard, from the Cross Hands branch of Vets4Pets, said: "Polly underwent a nasal fold resection with us last week and I am pleased to hear how well she is already recovering. She had a nasty skin infection in the deep nasal fold and it also was causing the skin to push into her eyes which was irritating.
"Removing the skin is the only permanent way to deal with this issue for her, which must have been sore and uncomfortable, and needed daily cleaning in the past. Sadly we are seeing more and more of these brachycephalic dogs (including French Bulldogs and Pugs) needing a wide range of surgical procedures on their skin, airways and ears.
"We really want people to think long and hard before buying or adopting animals to ensure they can meet all their needs, including the cost of veterinary care of the breed they choose." You can donate to Polly's treatment here
