When the Comfort Queen Isn't Comfortable: What Happened at Duchess's Last Vet Visit
Bulldogs, vet bills, pet insurance fine print, and a diet she did not vote for
Duchess likes snacks.
Duchess likes naps.
Duchess likes the backseat of the truck
with her blanket in the correct position.
Duchess did not like
what happened at her last vet visit.
Neither did we.
It Started With an Eye.
One day Duchess had a red eye.
Not a little pink.
Red.
The kind of red that makes you stop what you're doing
and call Banfield immediately.
So we did.
Duchess has a scratched cornea.
Her right eye.
We don't know exactly how it happened.
Duchess isn't talking.
She's on eye drops now.
She has opinions about the eye drops.
She communicates those opinions
every single time.
But we do them anyway.
Because that's what you do.
Then They Found the Ear.
While we were there for the eye,
they checked her ears.
Ear infection.
Left ear.
Of course.
One problem became two
before we even got to the waiting room snacks.
The ear medication from Banfield worked.
A couple of weeks.
Consistent treatment.
The ear is better now.
One win.
We will take it.
And Then the Bloodwork.
This is the part that stopped us.
Duchess's liver numbers were off.
Not emergency off.
But off enough that the vet wanted a full liver panel.
Liver disease in dogs — especially bulldogs — is more common than most people realize.
The liver does a lot of work.
It filters toxins, helps digest food, regulates blood proteins.
When those numbers shift, it matters.
Signs to watch for in your own dog:
- Yellowing of the eyes or gums (jaundice)
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or lethargy
- Drinking more water than usual
- A swollen belly
Duchess didn't show dramatic symptoms.
That's why routine bloodwork matters.
The Merck Veterinary Manual has a helpful overview of liver disease in dogs if you want to understand what you're looking at when those numbers come back.
We're still waiting on the full results.
The panel takes about a month.
We are on week two.
The Food Change.
Here's something we didn't know before this:
diet is one of the most important things you can manage
when a dog has liver issues.
The vet recommended a liver-support food.
Royal Canin Hepatic is often the first suggestion —
but it requires a prescription.
And a prescription requires another vet visit.
And another vet visit costs money we've already spent.
We went with Hill's Science Diet liver support food from PetSmart.
Available over the counter.
No prescription. No extra appointment.
Formulated to be gentle on the digestive system
and easier on organs that are working harder than they should be.
Now, we're not going to pretend
that Hills Science Diet is cheap.
It's not.
But it's not as pricey as the prescription option.
And we are on a budget.
Real life. Real constraints.
You do what you can
with what you have.
Because she's worth it.
Even when she's giving you that look.
Things to avoid when your dog has liver concerns:
- High-fat foods
- Certain supplements (always check with your vet first)
- Human foods like grapes, onions, and anything with xylitol
- Some flea and tick medications — ask your vet which are liver-safe
The Hill's Pet has a solid breakdown on liver disease and nutrition worth bookmarking.
Duchess has noted that her new food
is not her previous food.
Duchess is aware that changes have been made.
Duchess is choosing not to comment further,
but her energy on the subject is very clear.
And Then There's the Diet.
While we were at it —
the vet mentioned Duchess could stand to lose a few pounds.
Duchess did not ask for this information.
To be fair to Duchess:
she is a bulldog.
She is short.
She is built the way she is built.
She has never once pretended otherwise.
But extra weight puts extra strain on organs
that are already working overtime.
So the diet is happening.
Smaller portions.
The new food.
Slightly more movement
than Duchess would personally prefer.
She finds the snacks.
She finds the bed.
She finds the spot on the couch
she's not supposed to be on.
But the scale says what it says.
And the vet said what she said.
And Duchess is on a diet now.
She did not vote for this.
The vote was not close.
About That Pet Insurance.
We have the Banfield Optimal Wellness Plan.
We thought we were covered.
We were not as covered as we thought.
The ear infection — covered.
The eye drops — partially.
The full liver panel — out of pocket.
The Hills food — out of pocket.
The follow-up visits while we wait on results — out of pocket.
We are not saying don't get pet insurance.
Banfield's wellness plan covers routine visits, vaccines, and basic care —
and for that, it's genuinely useful.
We are saying: read the fine print.
Wellness plans and comprehensive insurance are different things.
A wellness plan covers preventive care.
A comprehensive policy covers illness and accidents.
If your dog has a breed-related condition
or you want illness coverage,
look into a full pet insurance policy
alongside or instead of a wellness plan.
The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is a good place to start comparing what's actually out there.
Because bulldogs, it turns out, are not cheap.
Duchess is aware of this.
Duchess does not feel bad about it.
Where We Are Right Now.
The ear is better. ✅
The eye is still healing. 🔄
The liver results are still pending. 🔄
The diet is in progress. 🔄
Duchess's opinion of all of this is extremely clear. 😐
We don't have a tidy ending for this one
because we're still in the middle of it.
But if you have a bulldog —
or any brachycephalic breed —
routine bloodwork matters.
Catching things early matters.
And being real with yourself about what the vet is telling you
even when it's not what you wanted to hear —
that matters too.
We'll update you when the results come in.
Duchess will update you
by either being in her spot with her blanket
or letting you know via a very specific look
that things are not acceptable.
Either way, we'll keep you posted.
— The FurEver Friends Crew
P.S. Duchess reviewed this post.
She found her spot.
She arranged the blanket.
She went to sleep.
We're counting that as approval.
🌹 Coming Next: The Packing List We Learned the Hard Way
Vet visits, road trips, and bulldog blankets all have one thing in common: somebody has to remember the gear.
Next, the whole crew gets a packing list built from real forget-this-once-and-regret-it moments. Kingsley needs his travel basics, Duchess needs the blanket, and Cat needs his carrier, his own spot, and the right amount of room to file a complaint.
The FurEver Friends Pet Road Trip Packing Checklist
You think you've packed everything.
You have not packed everything.
We know this
because we have forgotten things.
Repeatedly.
On real trips.
With real consequences.
We made a list.
We are sharing it.
You're welcome. 🐾