Numerous animal charities and activists are speaking out about the dangerous health problems in flat-faced dog breeds, the Mirror reports. Blue Cross recently demanded new laws to stamp out poor breeding which leads to long-term health defects, such as skin and eye disease and obstructed breathing, in bulldogs and pugs.
Dolly and Donna are two bulldogs who are suffering with life-long health conditions as a result of over-breeding. The 15-week-old pair were surrendered to Breeds in Need rescue in Lincoln last month, after their breeder noticed serious health issues.
Charity co-founder Sally Turzanski, 30, told the Mirror: "As soon as I saw them, I was concerned for their health. We see a lot of flat-faced breeds who struggle with their breathing, but I've never seen it this severe in such young pups."
Dolly and Donna were both diagnosed with having elongated soft palates, meaning they are unable to exercise and struggle with daily activities like eating and drinking. Sally said: "Even being picked up, walking or sleeping is difficult for them. They are unable to breathe properly and make awful snorting noises.
"Dolly is really struggling at the moment. She wants to try and play, but she is too poorly. She is currently having intensive care in her foster home and on a nebuliser, taking oxygen every four hours and using an inhaler three times a day. Sometimes, Dolly will sit with her head propped up against the wall in an attempt to open her airways so that she can breathe easier."
Both puppies will need specialist treatment in order to live like normal dogs. It's likely Donna will be recommended Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) surgery to shorten her soft palate and open up her throat and nostrils to allow more air in.
Though Sally is worried that Dolly will not survive BOAS surgery, and instead could need severe open chest surgery. "Without this, these girls will have no quality of life and it is not fair for them to continue to struggle every day simply because they are unable to breathe properly," Sally said.
Breeds in Need specialise in caring for disabled puppies and rely on public donations to keep their vital work going. This means Dolly and Donna desperately need to raise £4,000 to have their necessary treatment.
When asked what will happen if they don't raise enough, Sally said: "I am determined to make enough money. If they need the surgery, we will get it for them." The pups will remain in foster care until they have had surgery and are fit and healthy to be rehomed and adopted permanently.
You can donate to Dolly and Donna's fundraiser on their GoFundMe page.
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