French Bulldog Diseases: Discover the Conditions of This Adorable Breed
French Bulldog Diseases: Discover the Conditions of This Adorable Breed
Written by Silvia capelli
September 8, 2023
Indeed, despite everyone knowing that brachycephalic dogs often have health problems, breeds like the French Bulldog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are still among the most popular.
From a certain point of view, it's understandable: the French Bulldog is truly irresistible, with its slightly crazy panda look and squashed face that makes everyone like it.
Unfortunately, this breed is not among those with the best health, and often these animals are victims of even serious hereditary diseases.
In general, they tend to suffer frequently from more common dog diseases such as otitis, dermatitis, and food allergies, but the most worrying diseases are those related to DNA.
Apart from the vet bills, managing a French Bulldog also presents various challenges: these dogs breathe poorly and tire easily, forcing the owner to partially change their lifestyle to accommodate the needs of their four-legged friend.
They can also have problems with feeding, difficulties in recovering in case of injuries, and many other problems.
But what are the diseases of the French Bulldog, and how can they be best managed? Let's try to summarize the most common ones and see what the best solution is to solve them.
Let's try to clarify the topic and give you some useful advice to keep Fido's ears in excellent health.
Why is the French Bulldog defined as a brachycephalic dog?
The French Bulldog is defined as a brachycephalic dog because the term "brachycephalic" comes from ancient Greek and means "short head." The flattened muzzle is indeed the result of an anomaly where the head of this dog breed develops more in width than in length.
Not only is the structure of the head enclosed in a very restricted space, but even though they have a very short nasal canal, the internal mucous membranes of Frenchies are the same length as those of normal breeds.
Their nostrils are also not open (defined as stenotic), and the bony palate is very elongated.
Unfortunately, this type of skull conformation makes breathing extremely difficult for brachycephalic dogs.
And the malformation of the skull means that these dogs are particularly prone to a series of diseases, some of which are quite severe.
To learn more about the diseases of brachycephalic dogs, read here!
What are the genetic diseases of the French Bulldog?
A genetic disease is a condition where fragments of DNA (or genes) or chromosomes are not normal because they have mutated.
When a part of these structures undergoes a mutation, the disease manifests.
Genetic diseases can be hereditary, but mutations can also occur during the embryonic phase, after birth, or during life due to external causes.
What are the genetic diseases of the French Bulldog?
Unfortunately, the list is long and contains diseases that are frightening. But it's better to be aware of what the dog could suffer from to be able to intervene promptly in case of an emergency.
Moreover, a full understanding of the symptoms that can be indicators of a particular disease can be indispensable for an early diagnosis, which in some cases can give the dog not only a happy existence but also a much longer life.
If the dog was purchased from a reputable breeder, the puppy should be tested for these diseases, but if adopted, it's better to be aware of the most common pathologies.
French Bulldog diseases include:
Hyperuricosuria
Cystinuria
Hypothyroidism
Von Willebrand's Disease
Hereditary Cataract
Multifocal Retinopathy
Cleft Palate
Degenerative Myelopathy
Stenotic Nares
Megaesophagus
Let's take a closer look at these in detail.
Hyperuricosuria in the French Bulldog
Hyperuricosuria in the French Bulldog is an inherited urinary system disease that affects several dog breeds, including French Bulldogs, and is responsible for frequent urinary tract stones.
This disease causes difficulty in urination, inflammation of the urinary tract, and blood in the urine, as well as urethral blockage.
Males are more affected, and the problem mainly occurs between the ages of 3-6.
In the presence of large stones, surgical removal will be necessary, while smaller stones can be managed with Allopurinol therapy and a low-protein diet.
Cystinuria in the French Bulldog
This is also a kidney disease that causes the formation of stones at a young age.
In addition to symptoms such as difficulty urinating and blood in the urine, this condition is characterized by a strong odor of the urine.
Treatment involves a low-protein diet, specific supplements, and surgical removal if necessary.
Hypothyroidism in the French Bulldog
Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when there is a reduced functionality of the thyroid gland, which produces a decreased amount of thyroid hormones.
This condition occurs in dogs in adulthood and is characterized by symptoms such as weight gain, hair loss, dermatitis and recurrent ear infections, and lethargy.
The treatment is based on the administration of the missing thyroid hormone, the dosage of which will be determined after conducting the necessary tests.
Von Willebrand Disease in the French Bulldog
This disease manifests as a disruption in blood clotting, which in turn can cause, among other things, thyroid problems.
The most common symptoms include bleeding from the mouth, gums, and genitals during heat, gastrointestinal bleeding with blood in the feces, and the delayed or non-healing of small lesions or wounds from surgery.
There are no cures, and the only precaution is to try to prevent the dog from getting injured or needing surgical procedures.
Hereditary Cataract in the French Bulldog
Here, we're not talking about the common age-related cataract, but a disease that causes opacity of the eye's lens, blurring the dog's vision.
Unfortunately, it usually affects both eyes and leads to total blindness within the first three years of age.
Multifocal Retinopathy in the French Bulldog
Another retinal disease, in this case, the retina is damaged by the appearance of blisters that can either progress or disappear.
Vision may or may not be reduced, but individuals presenting this condition should not be bred.
Cleft Palate in French Bulldogs
Better known as a soft palate, this condition occurs when the soft palate, which separates the mouth from the respiratory tract, is too long for the size of the oral cavity and ends up in the throat.
A dog suffering from this emits abnormal respiratory noises, has cough and nasal discharge, may have difficulty swallowing, and in the case of a newborn, the condition can be lethal.
When possible, the only definitive treatment is surgical intervention.
Stenosis of the Nostrils in French Bulldogs
This condition involves an abnormal conformation of the nostrils, which are narrower than usual, preventing regular airflow.
Many dogs must undergo surgery that can partially resolve the problem, while in less severe cases, the issue can simply be monitored.
Brachycephalic Syndrome in French Bulldogs
Also called BAOS or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, this condition causes severe and progressive obstruction of the upper airways.
It initially manifests as labored breathing, difficulty exercising, and a tendency to snore, while later, vomiting, cyanosis, and fainting can occur.
There is no treatment other than surgery to correct the anatomical alterations.
Megaesophagus in French Bulldogs
This disease is responsible for the dilation and malformation of the esophagus, resulting in the continuous regurgitation of food (passive regurgitation) and can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Intervention may involve modifying the Bulldogs' feeding habits or inserting a feeding tube into the dog's stomach.
Degenerative Myelopathy in French Bulldogs
This is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that occurs after the age of 7 and causes loss of coordination in the hind legs.
Initially, the Bulldog will simply drag its hind legs, then suffer from incontinence, difficulty walking, and maintaining balance.
The progression of the disease leads to paralysis of both hind limbs, within a timeframe that can vary from a few years to just a few months. Euthanasia is often required.
DNA Testing
Reputable breeders should always sell only puppies that have been tested and are free from genetic defects.
Experienced breeders do not breed dogs with disorders linked to genetic or hereditary diseases, so a purchased dog should spare you certain troubles.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and one may encounter careless crossbreeding. And, sadly, breeders do not always possess the right professionalism, and often it's private individuals who have improvised themselves as breeders with the sole intent of profiting at the expense of their animals' health and taking advantage of unsuspecting owners.
A typical example is the so-called rare colors of the French Bulldog, namely:
Blue
Merle
Fawn
Lilac
Black without patches
Dogs of these colors are not admitted in the breed standards of ENCI and AKC (the Canine Federation in the United States) and therefore cannot have a pedigree, yet they are highly sought after despite those shades being indicators of possible genetic diseases.
If you intend to purchase a French Bulldog puppy, try to avoid problems and worries as much as possible: ensure that your Frenchie is tested as much as possible for genetic diseases.
And try to learn as much as possible about its disorders and diseases, because prevention is your most important weapon, and only by knowing your puppy well will you be able to intervene promptly when necessary.
We know how important it is to make the right choice when adopting a puppy or an adult dog, so it's better to be well informed about the breed's characteristics. Find a lot of information on khani.co.uk
Disclaimer
The information on our site is of a general nature and in no way substitutes the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. For any doubts, always turn to your trusted veterinarian.
