3 Most Common Health Problems In French Bulldogs

Apr 21, 2021 | French Bulldog Health Issues

French bulldogs are adorable and cuddly, but they’re also one of the most common breeds afflicted by health issues. These three French bulldog health issues should be on every new owner’s radar:

Canine Laryngeal Paralysis

Sick French Bulldog
Canine laryngeal paralysis or CLP is a severe condition that many dog owners are not even aware exists. Cushing’s disease, also known as canine laryngeal paralysis, is a disease in which the body creates too much cortisol, a substance secreted by the adrenal glands. It ends up shutting down the vocal cords in the back of the throat. This is a severe condition that can potentially be fatal if not treated immediately.

There are many different treatments for this disease, but there is no cure at all. Some of the most common medications used for treating canine laryngeal paralysis are Neurontin and Tagamet. Both of these medications are steroidal and meant to reduce inflammation in the affected area. While they will not eliminate the problem, they offer an alternative for canine laryngeal paralysis. Another medication that is often used is Pentoxifylline, which is used to reduce the production of cortisol.

For dog owners looking for a treatment option with a natural, drug-free alternative that works just as fast as Neurontin, Tagamet may be the right choice. The drug only takes a few weeks to start working, and the effects will be noticeable almost immediately, so there’s nothing holding dog owners back from giving this a try. Of course, there are still several factors involved in canine laryngeal paralysis, including age, nutrition, and genetics. If you have a pet with Cushing’s disease or another similar illness, it is always a good idea to go to a doctor and get it checked out to know what options you have available to you.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

French Bulldog Xray
Brachycephalic Syndrome is an abnormal neurological disorder causing cats and short-nosed dogs that often result in severe respiratory distress and even death. This syndrome was first diagnosed back in 1964 in Great Britain and since then has been referred to as either cerebral palsy or simple brachycephaly. Brachycephaly, the more common form, results from the subcutaneous softening of the cerebrospinal fluid resulting in an insufficient barrier to cerebral blood flow. In this type of brachycephaly, the cerebellum is separated into two areas: the outer and inner discs, with the external disc often detached from the brain stem.

This syndrome was named after the veterinarian who first diagnosed it, Sir Charles Brachy, who used the terms ‘brachycephaly’ and ‘bachycemia’ to label it. He distinguished the two by observing that, in humans, the faces of infants with brachycephaly have a pronounced upturned nose, which he described as a distinct characteristic of brachycephaly. He also postulated that this might have had an impact on the evolution of the human nose. Thus, the hypothesis postulated that the nose might have been influenced by changes in air currents moving through the airways in early human beings and generalized to humans. It was later proposed that this might be the basis for the link between enlarged tonsils and brachycephaly in humans.

Brachycephaly, however, is not synonymous with this syndrome as there are some significant differences in the physiological and respiratory features of the two. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the two are still not clear. What is known is that brachycephaly causes breathing problems and may cause obstruction of the airways as well as the lungs. Simultaneously, the respiratory features are standard in cats, such as a narrow airway, a high forehead, long foreheads, and narrow chin. In brachycephaly, these features are prominent in humans.

Hip Dysplasia

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Hip dysplasia, or HDD, is an abnormal development of the hip joint. It can occur in small or giant breeds, such as the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Labrador Retriever, and French Bulldogs, but it is more commonly seen in giant or large breed dogs. When hip dysplasia is mild, it rarely causes discomfort but can be painful and lead to deformity if left untreated. If your dog has been diagnosed with this condition, talk to your veterinarian about ways to treat it and possibly prevent it in the future.