Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Muscle Wasting and Spinal Issues?
admin August 12th, 2008
Hi Lori, I know you from some of the lists. I have a back question for you. My Charlotte, who up until recently, was an excellent agility dog, has been having problems.
A couple of months ago I noticed her left leg was smaller in diameter than the right leg(up in the thigh area). I took her to a vet who is also a chiropractor, and an acupuncturist, she specializes in rehab for agility dogs. She did some adjustments, and gave me some exercises to do with Char to strengthen her core and her back legs.
The next time we went to her Char had a delay in righting her hind legs when placed in a knuckled over position. I was freaked out by this…her left leg remained slightly smaller then the right leg but had increased in size from what it was originally. The vet made some more adjustments and did acupuncture…with in a couple days of the acupuncture Char no longer had a delay in righting either hind leg…she also started playing with her ball again.
I had attributed the stopping of the ball playing with the addition of a puppy…must have been pain. She is retired from agility. We had X-rays done…her thoracic spine is a mess…and she has an area of spondylosis in the lumbar region..the vet said to keep up the core exercises, no agility…lots of long walks, and watch her closely…she said perhaps continuing adjustments and acupuncture on a monthly/bimonthly schedule.
Just wondered if you had anything to add as a frenchie vet.
Thanks and sorry so long…we also added fish oil and Dasuquin to her raw diet.
Dr. Lori writes –
Sounds like you have most things covered. One thing I can think of is hydrotherapy, perhaps swimming or an underwater treadmill as it may help her build her muscles without bearing much, if any, weight, thus reducing stress on her bones. You also may want to consider using a short term steroid taper dose during flare ups to decrease the inflammation around her spinal cord.
Lastly, I might suggest muscle relaxers during flare ups, as often times back spasms are muscular in nature. How are her hips and knees? The unilateral decrease in muscle mass could be due to these as well.
Hugs to Char and sorry to hear she has retired!
Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi
