When Simba, a five-year-old French Bulldog, arrived at the shelter in mid-March after being abandoned, volunteers quickly realised that something was wrong.
Behind his strong character and adorable personality, he was a dog in great pain.
In deep distress
Over the following days, rescuers noticed several worrying symptoms. Simba was vomiting regularly and losing weight. He also had breathing difficulties, and the slightest effort seemed to exhaust him completely. Deeply concerned, the rescuers ran a series of tests to find out what was wrong with the poor pup.
Unfortunately, the results confirmed what the vets feared. Simba has an elongated soft palate. This condition is sadly common in flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like French Bulldogs. It restricts his airway, making it hard for him to breathe on a daily basis. To make matters worse, the stress of being abandoned has only aggravated his condition...
A necessary operation
Because of this, Simba needs surgery. The operation will correct his airway so he can finally breathe normally.
Simba needs all the support he can get. Rescuers have launched an online fundraiser to pay for his treatment. So far, they have raised €3,680 of the €3,943 needed.
Despite his struggles, Simba is a very affectionate dog, full of energy and with a big personality. The shelter volunteers describe him as a brave boy who just wants to enjoy life without being held back by his breathing difficulties. We hope the fundraiser will cover the cost of his care, and we wish Simba all the very best for the future.