Archive for the tag 'spine'

Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Spinal Lesions in a Frenchie

admin August 12th, 2008

I had a Frenchie for 4 years, and she was healthy. Then last summer she started to wobble in the back legs, and slowly she lost her ability to walk over the next 9 months.  I took her to a specialist, got an MRI, but there was a lesion in her spine, and they couldn’t figure out what it was.  Also she had 7 generative discs.  It was a difficult experience, and ultimately after all kinds of treatment, like acupuncture, joint support powder, and finally a wheel chair,  I could no longer care for the dog properly, and had to give her to a rescue organization that is seeking a new family for her.

She had lots of UTI’s and I couldn’t get her out of my apartment building in time for her to do her business, because she lost sensation.  My wife and I are expecting a child and we both work.  I wanted the dog to be with someone who has easy access to a backyard and a little more time to attend to her special needs.   I feel a lot of guilt about giving her up, but I want her to get the best care.

I just wish I knew what caused her to go lame in the back legs at such a young age.  She is the best dog I have ever had, and seems otherwise happy, she just drags herself around. I would have paid whatever to cure her, but the vet said it was the lesion not her vertebrae that were causing the problem, and an operation would not have helped.

I am afraid to get another dog, because giving up the dog was so difficult for my family.

Is there anything to look for in a perspective dog to show warning signs of this kind of problem?

Missing my Frenchie

Dr. Lori writes –
It sounds like we know exactly why she became paralyzed and that is due to the spinal lesion.  It doesn’t say whether her vet believed it was inherited or from injury, but given she is a frenchie, it’s more than likely congenital and as she aged, the lesion in her spine worsened.   I am guessing here, as I don’t know the specifics, but my supposition is that she had a curve in her spine that caused the spinal cord to “kink”, thus causing the lesion and her clinical signs…

I am sorry that you went through such heartbreak.  There really are often no warning signs, until it is too late to fix it.  My suggestion to you would be to find a breeder who thoroughly health screens at an early age as well as adults…  it might not prevent an issue, but it might help you be more knowledgeable about what you are getting in to.

Again, I am sorry and I hope your girl finds a home that can care for her

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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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

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Ask the Veterinarian - scoliosis and kyphosis

lorihuntdvm March 16th, 2008

French Bulldog with scoliosis and kyphosis of the spine

I currently have a French Bulldog girl. I say she was my first baby and she is such and important part of me and my family. She is 2 1/2 years old and she has been diagnosis in having scoliosis and kyphosis of the spine.

I have taken her to a specialist in New Jersey, after a referral from my vet. I have been told that her symptoms and current spine status is not needing surgery at this time, however she experiences pain about every 4-6 months which we treat with a steroid, prednisone. The medication gets her back up an moving within a few days…

My question is, knowing that 80% of bulldog breeds experience this vertebral problem what other options are there for pain relief and prolonging the health for my little girl. Any suggestions or knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Dr Lori writes -

Unfortunately, we have all chosen a breed in which spinal instability exists, and I am doubtful there is anyone who owns a frenchie who doesn’t at least know someone who has been through this same situation.

I am sorry to hear of your French Bulldog’s spinal deformities, and I do believe that steroid treatment for short bursts of time a few times a year is not a bad thing for her, and helps relieve the inflammation which is being caused by her spinal abnormalities, which in turn prevents it from progressing.

It is quite important that you have her examined and initiate treatment for her as soon as you see the first signs of a relapse. The longer the nerves are compressed, the more damage which can be done and the risk that it may be irreversible.

As far as treating this medically, without surgery, you could also try muscle relaxers as well non-steroidal anti-inflamatories, such as Rimadyl or Metacam.

Another option would be adding omega fatty acids to her daily regimen as they are a natural anti-inflammatory and can help relieve the day to day inflammation on her spine, without constantly medicating her. Surgery is a final option but carries its own set of risks, but if her signs worsen, it may become necessary.

I do hope your French Bulldog girl lives a long and healthy life and that her back troubles are short lived and infrequent.

Good Luck!

Please note that advice from any of our experts is not intended to replace a proper examination by a Veterinarian. When in doubt or in case of an emergency, please take your dog to see a veterinarian for a hands on examination. Click here to locate an experience Brachycephalic Veterinarian in your area.

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