Gouda (FKA Brie)
Brie came to rescue from Stanislaus Animal Services Agency where she was pushed to the top of the euthanasia list due to her skin allergies causing swelling in her folds and paws. Allergies and dermatitis are very common in English Bulldogs and more people should educate themselves on the breed prior to getting one. Brie got her freedom ride October 2, 2022, and never looked back!
Brie was the perfect bulldog. She was dog friendly, cat friendly, and even kid friendly. She went to breweries, different homes, and all sorts of public outings where she commanded the attention of everyone who looked her way. When she was home, her favorite thing was to cuddle on top of her foster and hold her hand when she was near. Brie didn’t care about anything else as long as her human was there to hold her.
The only flaw Brie had was medical conditions she couldn’t control. Unfortunately, Brie’s bloodwork came back with concerning kidney values, high blood pressure, and upon examination the doctor found concerning lumps in her throat, knees, and breasts. She was also battling a skin infection from her allergies. We opted to wait a bit and see if getting the skin infection under control would improve any of the kidney values before putting her under anesthesia. Anesthesia can cause more stress on the kidney’s.
A needle aspiration was done on her lymph nodes to check for cancer, the results came back inconclusive, her kidney values improved and worsened, so we opted for surgery so we could remove and biopsy the masses. Turns out miss Brie was cancer FREE, she underwent surgery where she had three masses removed from her teats, a biopsy of her salivary gland on accident, and was spayed. The intent of the biopsy was to get a sample of the lymph node, but it turns out the masses felt were just salivary glands and harmless. We then did an ultrasound of the kidneys to confirm the kidney disease.
She started high blood pressure medication, and we consulted with a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Vet to try and help us support Brie’s kidney’s holistically. The vet wanted to put her on a prescription kibble for her kidney, so we opted to support her with real food supplements and herbs. She started eating a raw food diet and was on natural remedies along with her high blood pressure medication, to give her her best chance with minimal symptoms. Brie was officially available for adoption and she wasn’t going to be a hospice foster!
On December 28, 2023, we thought Brie found her forever home. She had been adopted by a family that seemed dedicated to her. Unfortunately, they had two young kids and one of the kids could not respect Brie’s space. The family decided it was in the best interest for Brie to return her to rescue and find her a better home while they focused on their child.
When Brie returned to rescue, she was unable to walk again, didn’t have much of an appetite, and her paws were severely swollen and itchy. We swapped her back to all of the supplements she was on when she was first with us, and within weeks she was back to the Brie we knew she could be. She would run and jump for food again, she had toes again, and she was just as loving as always.
On April 2, 2023, Brie went to, what we hope is, her forever home. Her new mom asked a ton of questions and seemed super dedicated to the holistic lifestyle Brie needs. Brie is also an only fur baby now and is thriving.
Happy Tails!
“If you have been brutally broken but still have the courage to be gentle to other living beings, then you’re a badass with a heart of an angel.”