RSPCA breeding warning as rescue bulldog needs major facelift surgery

A Bucks vet has since slammed the 'disgusting' practice from breeders looking the breed flat-faced dogs with 'cute' and 'squishy' faces.

Young Tuna, just a one-year-old rescue, was brought in to the RSPCA in September 2021 as part of an animal welfare investigation.

Vet nurse Katherine Maling, who works at Blackberry Farm Animal Centre in Buckinghamshire, undertook major surgery with Tuna to help improve the pup's quality of life.

She said: "Tuna had facial-fold resection surgery - which is like a facelift - to remove some of the excess skin from around her face and muzzle.

Image: RSPCA/Bridget Davey

"The 'rope', the roll of excess skin around her nose was causing her a lot of issues, like sore skin and hot spots that often led to infections. The weight of it also pulled her eyelids down, which made her eyes weep. In the summer, it was especially bad as I had to constantly clean and dry the area which Tuna really didn't enjoy.

"Since the skin has been removed, Tuna has been so much happier."

Tuna also had to have an operation on her eyelids that were turning inwards, causing the eyelashes to rub against the eye. This condition can be incredibly uncomfortable and painful, and needed part of her eyelids removed.

Once Tuna is recovered she will be going in for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) surgery which will help her breathe more normally by widening her nostrils and removing the excess tissue from her soft palate.

Katherine said: "After all of these operations, she'll face a brighter future and will hopefully lead a more 'normal' dog life!

"It's disgusting that she even had to undergo this treatment to be able to breathe and live her daily life.

"I can't believe people are deliberately breeding dogs to be this way. It's not okay and we should be fighting against how this has become normal for these breeds."

She added: "The reality is that, even after all of these operations, her life will always be restricted and complicated, due to her health problems which have been caused due to the extreme way she's been bred. However, we hope she'll be able to enjoy a more normal way of life; and we'll do everything we can for her to make sure she's comfortable and happy."

Image: RSPCA/Bridget Davey

The RSPCA said it is seeing more 'falt-faced' dogs such as French bulldogs, pugs and British bulldogs with major health problems due to the way they have been bred to have short muzzles, skin rolls, and tight corkscrew tails.

The charity's Save Our Breath campaign urges the public not to buy breeds that cannot live normal lives due to the irresponsible way they've been selectively bred.