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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

French Bulldog Unwell?

17 replies

FireC · 07/07/2022 16:55

Hello, I am looking after my friends frenchie for a couple of months.

He's just started to get very "snotty" and sneezing a lot. He also hasn't eaten much today. Other than that he's totally fine, excited to go for walks and playing.

Should I be worried?

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 07/07/2022 16:57

Maybe he has a bit of hayfever. Maybe it is the heat. Keep him quiet and cool and monitor his water intake.

SarahSissions · 07/07/2022 21:41

Hayfever possibly? Has she got insurance? Many come with free televet appointments which can be great if you are unsure about something

LBF2020 · 08/07/2022 00:19

Could be kennel cough. There is a lot of it going around :-(

EdithStourton · 08/07/2022 08:30

French bulldogs aren't great breathers at the best of times, so I'd be inclined to at least phone the vet (and I'm the kind of person who deals with cut pads at home).

coffeecupsandfairylights · 08/07/2022 20:04

Hayfever or allergies, possibly. It's the right season for them.

What has the owner said? Is the dog insured?

Original poster
FireC · 08/07/2022 20:09

He's a bit better today but still breathing heavily and snotty. She's not replaying to my messages now. Very odd.

OP posts:
Original poster
FireC · 08/07/2022 20:10

Replying*

I know which vet he's with so I'll give them a call.

OP posts:
coffeecupsandfairylights · 08/07/2022 20:11

I suspect he's not insured and she doesn't want to be landed with a bill.

What's the reason you're looking after him for so long? Any chance she won't want to take him back?

Badger1970 · 08/07/2022 20:12

I'd check with the vet, they may well have got a grass seed up their nose.

Original poster
FireC · 16/07/2022 21:33

I thought I'd reply to this thread instead of making a new one as I'd rather have replies from dog owners.

My "friend" hasn't replied to any of my messages.

I'm not sure what to do? I'm happy to have the dog but I'm meant to be visiting family next week and I can't take him with me 😩

OP posts:
coffeecupsandfairylights · 16/07/2022 21:42

Oh dear - some friend!

If you're happy to have the dog permanently then you need to get his chip details etc. all switched to you. Not sure how you can do that if she doesn't respond to your messages though!

Short-term if you're going away you're going to struggle as most kennels will be fully booked and even if they're not, they'll require all his vaccination details which you won't be able to access if you're not his owner.

MaybeThisIsntForYou · 16/07/2022 23:53

If you're happy to have the dog permanently then you need to get his chip details etc. all switched to you. Not sure how you can do that if she doesn't respond to your messages though!

There's a process which basically involves
a) finding out the chip number and the chip company (vet can scan and tell you)
b) fill out a form with the chip company
c) chip company writes to old owners last known address and gives them 28 days to object
d) if they don't hear back, chip is transferred to your name

Had to do this about 5 years ago under similar-ish circumstances.

Be very, very, very careful with this dog in the heatwave. Brachycephalic breeds like Frenchies struggle at the best of times with their breathing. They struggle a great deal more in the heat. On top of that you've got a dog with something that sounds like kennel cough (contagious) or hayfever. I probably wouldn't walk this dog at all over the next few heatwave days, and if I did then it would be at about 9pm.

SarahSissions · 17/07/2022 02:49

Send her one more message and just say “happy to keep looking after frenchie, but bit worried about your safety and/or if you’re alright because I haven’t heard from you. Could you just tell me you are ok?”

do you have any mutual friends you can contact to see if one of them can drop her a message to find out if she is ok?

maybe look at borrowmydoggy to see if you can get some help for next week? I wouldn’t normally recommend the site, but as frenchie isn’t your dog it seems bonkers fir you to pay a sitter when she hasn’t

she sounds like an absolute shit by the way

SarahSissions · 17/07/2022 02:50

How is the dogs breathing now?

coffeecupsandfairylights · 17/07/2022 07:43

Thanks @MaybeThisIsntForYou - I didn't realise you could transfer ownership that way! That's useful to know Smile

Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 17/07/2022 08:22

But microchip name is not legal proof of ownership.......

MaybeThisIsntForYou · 17/07/2022 08:31

Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 17/07/2022 08:22

But microchip name is not legal proof of ownership.......

Correct, and there's no single thing which proves ownership. There's a short guide here
doglaw.co.uk/civil/ownership-custody-disputes/

However if the owner disappears for a long time without contact, the OP changes the chip and insures her, and pays for the dog's upkeep, you've got a pretty good legal case that the dog is yours.

5 years ago my dog was dumped on a friend in a very similar manner and the friend eventually gave him to me. I'm on his chip, insurance, vet records etc etc (but no sale contract or kennel club registration). I couldn't imagine a previous owner crawling out of the woodwork and the courts siding with them at this point.

On the other hand, DDog is currently on holiday with his grandparents. As he's only there for a fortnight, I've been in communication, supplied food, kept paying the bills and am still on the microchip etc etc there's no way a court would decide he belonged to his grandparents.

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