Help Punkin Breathe Again

If you've ever met Punkin, you know she's a tiny French Bulldog with a huge personality. She's goofy, loving, stubborn, and has brought endless joy to everyone who knows her.

Like many flat-faced breeds, Punkin suffers from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition that makes breathing much more difficult because of the anatomy of her airway. In hopes of improving her quality of life, Punkin recently underwent surgery to help open her airway and make breathing easier.

Unfortunately, her recovery has been far more complicated than we ever expected.

Following surgery, Punkin developed significant upper airway swelling and respiratory distress. To help her breathe safely, an emergency temporary tracheostomy tube was placed directly into her trachea, creating an alternate airway. She also required placement of a feeding tube, intensive monitoring, nebulization treatments, tracheostomy care, and around-the-clock nursing support.

Over the last several weeks, Punkin has shown incredible strength. Her feeding tube has been removed, she is eating well on her own, and she has stopped regurgitating. We were hopeful that the tracheostomy tube would soon be removed.

However, at her most recent recheck appointment, we received difficult news.

While Punkin has healed from surgery, she is currently unable to breathe adequately without her tracheostomy tube. The opening into her airway is not remaining open enough when she takes a breath, making it unsafe to remove the tube at this time.

Our next step is to seek consultations and second opinions with additional soft tissue surgery specialists to determine whether further surgery may help Punkin breathe normally or whether she may require long-term management with a tracheostomy tube.

The costs associated with her ongoing care, specialty consultations, diagnostics, potential surgery, medications, and follow-up appointments continue to grow. We are creating this fundraiser to help give Punkin every opportunity for the best possible outcome.

Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward Punkin's medical care. If you're unable to donate, sharing her story means the world to us.

Punkin has been my constant companion through life's ups and downs, and seeing her struggle to breathe has been heartbreaking.

Thank you for supporting our brave little girl as she continues this journey. We remain hopeful that with the right specialists and treatment plan, Punkin can enjoy the happy, comfortable life she deserves.

With gratitude,

Punkin's Family