Common Health Issues
What are Common French Bulldog Health Issues?
French Bulldogs are notorious for their health issues. Surprisingly, French Bulldogs are the healthiest of all the “bully” breeds. Many people are turned off from the breed when they find out all the possible health issues they can have. This is why we recommend getting your French Bulldog from a highly reputable breeder and investing in pet insurance for these reasons. While selective breeding and genetic testing can reduce the chances of these disorders developing, no test can guarantee your French Bulldog will be completely free of disease throughout its life.
These are just a few common health issues I've decided to talk with you all about.
1. Allergies
Just like us humans can suffer from allergies, our French Bulldog can as well!. While genetics can increase the risk of your French Bulldog developing an allergy, it’s important to note that they can develop allergies at any point during their lifetime.
What exactly are allergies?
Dog allergies are often caused by the allergens found in pollen, animal dander, plants, and insects, but dogs can also be allergic to food and medication as well. These allergies can cause symptoms such as excessive itching, scratching, and grooming; rashes; sneezing; watery eyes; paw chewing; and skin inflammation. An allergy is a state of over-reactivity or hypersensitivity of the immune system to a particular substance called an allergen. Most allergens are proteins from plants, insects, animals, or foods.
2. Luxating patella
A luxating patella, or trick knee in layman's terms, occurs when the dog's kneecap (patella) is dislocated from its normal anatomic position in the groove of the thigh bone (femur). When the kneecap is dislocated from the groove of the thigh bone, it can only be returned to its normal position once the quadriceps muscles in the hind legs of the animal relax and lengthen. It is for this reason that most dogs with the condition will hold up their hind legs for a few minutes. Patellar luxation is a common condition in dogs, particularly small and miniature breeds. The condition usually becomes evident between the ages of 4 and 6 months. There are different grades of a Luxating Patella, grade 1 being the least sever to grade 4 being the most sever.
3. Hip Dysplasia
What are the main causes of hip dysplasia in French Bulldogs?
Some dogs will have a genetic predisposition to hip looseness or laxity which can increase the rate of progression of the disorder. Other environmental factors can contribute to the development and progression of hip dysplasia such as excessive growth, exercise, obesity, and other nutritional factors. If you are concerned that your French Bulldog may be suffering from hip dysplasia, please consult with your veterinarian for a further evaluation. Your vet will usually perform an x-ray and physical examination to determine the degree and severity of the hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia in French Bulldogs is characterized by the following
• decreased activity
• inability to climb stairs
• inability to jump
• difficulty standing up
• “bunny hopping”
• hip pain/sensitivity
• can be from an injury that prevents the hip from functioning properly.
• It is when the ball of the joint no longer is in the socket of the pelvis.
• Keeping your French Bull Dog a healthy weight can reduce the likelihood of hip dysplasia.
4. Cherry eye
Did you know dogs have a third eyelid?
This membrane serves to protect the eye from debris, fight off infection, and produce some tears for the eye.
Cherry eye is a health disorder that occurs when the tear gland of this third eyelid pops out of position
What is Cherry Eye?
A congenital weakness of the tear gland in the eye is usually associated with cherry eye, however, it has not yet known whether it is inherited from parents. It’s also much more common in younger French Bulldogs, however, it can happen at any point in your French Bulldogs lifetime.
• Usually not painful
• Commonly treated with surgery if sever enough
5. Breathing issues
French Bulldogs are what are known as a brachycephalic breed. Simply put, brachycephalic means ”short-headed” or ”flat-faced”, and refers to that smooshed in face that we’ve come to love of dogs such as the Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon & Bulldogs. A brachycephalic dog if you have heard choking, snorting, snoring and vomiting could be due to any of these 5 issues:
• usually due to narrowed nostrils (stenotic nares)
• a large tongue (macroglossia)
• a flap of tissue flopping down from the roof of the mouth (elongated soft palate)
• tiny trachea (tracheal stenosis)
• bulging pockets of tissue in the back of the throat (everted laryngeal saccules)
Any one of these can cause serious respiratory trouble in most dogs; brachycephalic breeds can suffer from all five.
Yes, it sounds like French Bulldogs have a lot of health issues, but any dog can. With all this said, NOT ALL French Bulldogs have health issues. I’m just trying to make people aware of the health issues French Bulldogs can have, and to allow people to decide on their own if they think a French Bulldog is right for them.