Health Conditions in
French Bulldogs - Part One : Part
Two
Contents
The French Bulldog's Spinal System
The French Bulldog was selectively bred from dwarf
examples of the English Bulldog. This fact, when combined with
the intentional selection of shorter specimens in the breeding
programs of today and yesterday have combined to give us both
today's short backed dog, and the plethora of spinal issues plaguing
this breed. Another possible correlation is the breed standard's
prized 'short and lowset' tail, which sometimes manifests as a
non existent, telescoped or screw tail.
Hemivertebrae is a defect present at birth and genetically
based, although the genetic structure appears to be a complex
(multiple genes involved) interaction. Commonly referred to as
"butterfly" vertebrae, hemivertebrae has its highest
incidence in brachycephalic (short muzzled), screw-tailed dog
breeds. In fact the screw-tail is actually an example of a hemivertebrae
formation. This malformation may be pleasing when located in the
tail but can have serious repercussions when located elsewhere
in the spine.
Hemivertebrae are the result of the left and right halves of a
vertebrae failing to fully fuse during fetal development. The
resulting vertebrae resembles a butterfly when viewed from above.
Each half of the hemivertebral body often grow unequally, creating
a wedge-shaped (viewed vertically) body. The presence of a wedge
vertebrae can cause a dorsal curvature (kyphosis) or a lateral
curvature (scoliosis). Deformations in the backbone can compress
the spinal cord and/or its blood supply, with serious ramifications.
Symptoms indicative of hemivertebrae will be dependent upon the
number of malformed discs and the locations of these discs. The
best way to be assured of proper spinal formation is through x-ray
evaluation by a veterinarian familiar with "proper"
spinal formation for your breed. My vet and the orthopedic vets
at Guelph University feel that detection of Hemis may be successfully
done as early as four months.
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von Willebrand's Disease
von Willebrand's disease is a bleeding disorder
found in many breeds of dog as well as other animals. It is characterized
by hematomas, nosebleeds, and intermittent limping (due to bleeding
into the joints). Similarly to hemophilia A, dogs with this disorder
are deficient in clotting factor VIII activity. One of the primary
distinctions of von Willebrand's disease however, is that this
disorder is not sex-linked.
Hereditary von Willebrand's disease is complex. Each breed of
dog will have a different set of "typical symptoms"
of the disease. Symptoms can range from abnormally long bleeding
time due to a cut toenail, to hemorrhaging during minor surgery,
to spontaneous nosebleeds, with a wide assortment of presentations
between. Injuries that are followed by bleeding may or may not
require a transfusion. Even a small wound may necessitate veterinary
treatment. Carriers of this disorder can live their entire lives
with no outward indications of this disease.
Only through testing of all prospective breeding stock and selective
breeding is there a hope of eradicating this disorder. The test
is simple and inexpensive, and will show if the tested dog is
a high, low or non carrier of the disease. The common sense procedure
of not breeding from high carriers, and of not breeding low carriers
to other low carries may eradicate vWD forever from our breed.
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Hip Dysplasia (also called CHD - Canine Hip Dysplasia)
Hip dysplasia is the most common cause of rear-end
lameness in canines, and is due to the structure of the hip joint.
In the healthy dog there is a broad pelvis with a rounded cup
into which the ball of the femur fits solidly. The ligaments and
good musculature hold the ball in place while allowing free motion
of the femur. Canine hip dysplasia (HD) is caused when the femoral
head does not fit properly in the hip socket, causing instability
of the joint. Over time, this malformation can cause degenerative
joint disease (DJD) which causes increased pain and immobility.
Surgery can help to correct the problem, but can be expensive
and stressful for dog and family. Genetics play the largest role
in whether or not a dog will develop hip dysplasia. Other factors
include environmental (including weight and nutrition) and under
what conditions the puppy is raised, also training methods and
rearing practices. Even dogs with normal hips can produce dysplastic
puppies.
Breeders can (and should!) have their breeding stock x-rayed by
their vets, with the x-rays sent to either the OFA (The Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals), the GDC (Institute for Genetic Disease
Control), or, in Canada, the OVC (Ontario Veterinary College).
All three of these bodies maintain open registries on hip health
in tested dogs.
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Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is the dislocation (slipping)
of the patella (kneecap). In dogs, the patella is a small bone
that shields the front of the stifle joint. This bone is held
in place by ligaments. As the knee joint is moved, the patella
slides in a grove in the femur. The kneecap may dislocate toward
the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This condition
may be the result of injury or congenital deformities (present
at birth). Patellar luxation can affect either or both legs. Testing
is available to predict a the presence of PL in a dog, but cannot
predict it.
The most common occurrence of luxating patella in French Bulldogs
is the medial presentation. Shallow femoral groove, weak ligaments
and malalignment of the tendons and muscles that straighten the
joint are all conditions that will predispose a dog toward luxating
patellas.
Indications of patellar luxation are; difficulty in straightening
the knee, pain in the stifle, limping, or the tip of the hock
points outward while the toes point inward. The diagnosis of this
condition can usually be confirmed (by a veterinarian) by manipulating
the stifle joint and pushing the patella in and out of position.
There are 4 grades of deviation for this condition:
Grade 1:
Intermittent patellar luxation - occasional carrying of the affected
limb. The patella can easily be manually luxated at full extension
of the stifle, but returns to proper position when pressure is
released.
Grade 2:
Frequent patellar luxation - in some cases luxation is more or
less permanent. The affected limb is sometimes carried, although
the dog may walk with the stifle slightly flexed.
Grade 3:
Permanent patellar luxation - even though the patella is luxated;
many animals will walk with the limb in a semi-flexed position.
Grade 4:
Permanent patellar luxation - the affected limb is either carried
or the animal walks in a crouched position, with the limb partially
flexed.
Medial is termed "congenital" because
the luxations occur early in life and are not trauma associated.
Clinical indications:
1) Neonates and older puppies - display clinical signs of abnormal
leg carriage and function from the time they start walking. These
cases are generally grades 3 or 4.
2) Young to mature animals - usually exhibit intermittently abnormal
or abnormal movement all their lives. Generally evaluated when
the symptomatic gait worsens. Most often grade 2 or 3.
3) Older animals - may exhibit sudden lameness. Usually due to
further breakdown of soft tissues or the degenerative nature of
joint disease. These cases are usually grade 1 or 2.
There is a school of thought that French Bulldogs
frequently have Grade 1 luxations. One of the most common French
Bulldog poses, the rear leg extended sit which gives them their
typical 'frog look', is actually considered to be an indicator
of luxation. Breeding from an animal exhibiting any form of diagnosed
luxation is doubtful, but breeding of any dog with a level 3 or
greater luxation is decidedly inadvisable. OFA, GDC and OVC all
do screening for patellar luxation.
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Hot Spots
A "Hot Spot" is an area of bacterial skin
infection that increases through self-mutilation by the dog. An
area of skin is irritated (flea bite, allergy or other irritant),
the dog scratches or chews the area enlarging the opening, the
area becomes infected, thus begins the cycle. Hot spots are warm,
swollen, painful patches of skin that exude pus and serum, and
tend to give off a foul odor. These areas can appear suddenly,
they tend to enlarge rapidly (especially in hot humid weather)
and can reach a size of several inches in diameter. Hair loss
is rapid. Between the dog chewing or clawing the coat out and
bacterial spread the progress can be significant within a matter
of hours. Hot spots most often appear on the neck, ears, chest,
rump, flanks, and back (areas of access to clawing or chewing).
Treat by clipping all remaining hair away from the infected area.
This will allow air to dry the area and promote healing. Gently
cleanse the area with a surgical soap (pHisoHex, Oxydex, or Betadine).
Apply topical antibiotic-steroid cream such as Panalog to aid
in reducing irritation and promote healing. Dependent upon the
extent of the hot spot the dog may need oral antibiotics and steroids
as well. The dog must be restrained from doing further damage
to this area, this may necessitate the use of an Elizabethan collar.
To end the cycle the underlying cause must be determined. In the
event of fleas - the fleas must be removed. In the event of allergies
the irritant must be determined and eliminated to prevent hot
spots from occurring elsewhere. A word of warning - do NOT treat
hot spots with tea tree oil! Tea Tree oil has been known to cause
neurological damage in canines and humans when applied in the
undiluted form.
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Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is known by many names throughout
the dog world. Among these names are: canine atopic dermatitis,
canine inhalant dermatitis, allergic inhalant dermatitis, atopic
disease, and inhalant allergy. This condition is a commonly occurring,
inherited, hypersensitivity to pollens or other environmental
allergens, as a result of a disorder of the immune system.
The primary clinical indication is itching. This itching can take
one or multiple forms, and is most often exhibited by licking
or chewing of the feet, and/or the groin area; rubbing and scratching
the face, ears, and front torso; rubbing sides or buttocks on
furniture or any available object; and frequent periods of "sit
and spin" sessions. Additionally, affected dogs can display
reversed sneezing, coat discoloration, crusty, reddened eyes,
reddening of the skin, papules, and hair loss.
This condition can vary greatly from region to region. Since the
most common allergies are: dander, pollens of grasses, weeds,
and trees; dust and molds. The irritants can be seasonal and some
regions of the United States have a higher incidence of irritants
than others. Found in both males and females, this condition has
a higher incidence in females. The most common age of onset is
between one and three years of age. It is alarmingly common in
French Bulldogs, and its origins are a mystery at this time. It
has been theorized that hypothyroidism is at root of this disorder,
but thyroid testing of the dogs which we have had with this condition
have been negative. Perhaps there is some other, underlying immune
suppression at work which are not yet equipped to pin point or
diagnose.
Idealistically, avoidance of the irritating substance would present
the most desirable long-term means of treatment. This can be achieved
in some cases, but in most this is not a practical solution. Medically,
there are numerous treatments such as glucocorticoids and/or antihistamines.
In some cases hypo-sensitization is the best means of treatment.
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Various Conditions
French Bulldogs can also be prone to:
-
Hypothyroid
-
Eye conditions
-
Heart Conditions
I'll add sections detailing these conditions in
the near future.
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