Changes in French Bulldogs As They Age

Changes in French Bulldogs as they age may involve weight changes, arthritic problems which can alter mobility, decreased function in the internal organs (heart, kidneys, liver), cancers, hormone changes like diabetes and thyroid problems.

A common disorder in brachycephalic dogs is stenotic nares, an elongated soft palate, everted laryngeal saccules and a collapsed larynx. This condition is a major welfare concern as breathing difficulties, exercise intolerance and eating difficulties can affect both the dog’s quality of life and that of their owners.

Weight Changes

If you want to keep your Frenchie at a healthy weight, it’s important that you monitor its progress. There are several factors that contribute to the growth of a puppy, including the environment, diet and genetics. You can also help your puppy by making sure that you feed them a good quality puppy food, such as Hills Prescription Diet Puppy Formula.

As they grow, French Bulldogs tend to gain weight at a faster rate than other dog breeds. This is because French Bulldogs need to have high-quality nutrition to support their growth.

They also need to consume a large amount of calories to fuel their growth. This is why it’s recommended that you feed them two meals per day.

A French Bulldog who is overweight can experience a number of health problems, some of which may be life-threatening. For example, an obese French Bulldog will have a harder time breathing and is more prone to obesity-related diseases such as diabetes.

Another sign that your Frenchie is getting too fat is if you notice that they are getting tired more easily than they used to. This is because their bodies are burning off calories at a faster pace than normal.

To ensure that your Frenchie stays at a healthy weight, you need to make sure that they are getting enough exercise every day. This can include long walks or playtime with other dogs.

You can also try giving your dog a raw diet, which is known to promote weight loss. This type of diet contains a lot of protein, which makes your dog feel fuller after each meal and helps to prevent overeating.

However, if you suspect that your Frenchie is getting too fat, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. A vet will be able to diagnose the cause of the problem and create a plan that will be safe for your dog.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a skeletal condition that causes pain and discomfort in your dog’s joints. It’s similar to osteoarthritis in humans, and it affects the articular cartilage of your dog’s bones.

If your French Bulldog has arthritis, it’s important to take action as soon as you notice the symptoms. This will help to keep your dog as comfortable as possible and prevent the condition from becoming worse.

It’s also a good idea to see a vet who can provide you with a diagnosis and recommend treatment. This will include blood work, x-rays and other tests to ensure your pet has the right form of arthritis and isn’t suffering from a condition that can cause more serious problems down the line.

In addition, your veterinarian may suggest steroid medications or Rimadyl for pain relief. However, these drugs have many potential unwanted side effects and should only be used for a short amount of time.

Your dog’s weight is also a contributing factor to arthritis, so it’s important to watch their weight closely. Losing weight will decrease the pressure on your dog’s joints and help them stay active.

Other health issues that French Bulldogs are susceptible to include Brachycephalic syndrome and allergies. These are common problems that can have a severe impact on your dog’s quality of life, and they can be costly to treat.

Allergies are the most common skin problem in dogs, and they can be caused by pollen, mold, or dust. French Bulldogs are very susceptible to this condition, and it can make their skin itchy, irritated, and red.

Hip dysplasia is another condition that French Bulldogs are prone to, and it can be very painful for your dog. Fortunately, there are several surgical options available that can help your dog enjoy a more comfortable and natural hip movement.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a spinal condition that affects the white matter of the spinal cord. It causes weakness in the hind limbs that progresses to paralysis with time and can also affect the front legs.

It is caused by a genetic mutation and is most commonly found in boxers, Corgis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and German Shepherds although it can occur in other breeds too. It can be diagnosed by a genetic test or an examination of the dog’s DNA.

Early signs of DM can easily be confused for natural aging changes or arthritis, however as the disease progresses, your pet’s symptoms become more noticeable and easier to spot. The most common symptom is clumsiness in their walking as they lose muscle mass in their hind end. They may also be unable to stand up without help.

They may also scrape their nails on walks as they struggle to maintain balance and they will likely be very tense when walking, especially in the rear limbs. If your dog becomes incontinent or is having trouble with eating, they should be referred to the vet as soon as possible.

French Bulldogs can develop intervertebral disc disease, a painful condition where the discs between the vertebrae of the spine can bulge and herniate into the spinal cord space, causing pain, nerve damage, or paralysis. The condition is most often found in older dogs and can be difficult to diagnose unless investigations are undertaken to exclude other diseases that present with similar clinical signs.

A neurologist will need to investigate the cause of the neurological dysfunction and exclude other disease processes before a diagnosis can be made. This will involve a blood sample to rule out metabolic conditions such as cobalamin deficiency and may require advanced diagnostic imaging such as an MRI scan.

Laryngeal Collapse

Laryngeal collapse is a debilitating disease that affects the muscles and nerves that open the voice box. It typically affects older, large breed dogs. In some cases, it can also develop in young, large breed dogs.

The larynx (voice box) opens during breathing in to allow air to move past it and closes during breathing out to prevent food and other items from entering the trachea (windpipe). It is also essential for vocalization, which produces sound from the mouth and throat during speech.

There are a number of causes of laryngeal paralysis, including trauma to the throat, tumors or lesions in the neck or chest area, hormonal diseases (hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease), and congenital disorders. In the vast majority of cases, laryngeal paralysis occurs as an acquired, geriatric problem, most often in Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters, Great Danes and other large breeds of dog.

It can also be present at birth, particularly in Bouvier de Flandres, Leonbergers, Siberian Huskies and Bull Terriers. In most cases, laryngeal paralysis can be managed with medications and sometimes surgery.

A physical examination by a veterinarian is the first step in assessing a dog for laryngeal collapse. The brachycephalic head shape of some French Bulldogs predisposes these animals to laryngeal collapse.

In brachycephalic dogs, the primary causes of airway obstruction are stenotic nares and elongated soft palate. These abnormalities add to the pressure in the back of the throat that sucks the laryngeal cartilage inward, medially.

This in turn weakens it over time, leading to laryngeal collapse. This is why it is critical to address these issues early, ideally before a brachycephalic dog becomes two years old.

Mild to moderate stage 2 or stage 3 laryngeal collapse can be treated with unilateral aryepiglottic fold resection. This procedure removes the aryepiglottic fold and cuneiform process of the arytenoid cartilages, but should only be performed with a qualified surgeon.

Hemivertebrae

French Bulldogs are prone to developing hemivertebrae as they grow. These are spinal bones that are abnormally shaped because they don’t align properly with their surrounding vertebrae. This can cause the spine to sway and put pressure on the spinal cord.

This can lead to pain and neurological issues in dogs with hemivertebrae. They may experience pain in their back legs and have difficulty walking. They might also lose control of their bladder or bowels and become dehydrated.

Hemivertebrae occur when the fusing process doesn’t happen correctly, so the body of one or more vertebrae is wedge-shaped (LeCouteur and Child 1995). They can be segmental or unsegmented. Segmented hemivertebrae have a normal disk above and below the defective vertebral body, while unsegmented hemivertebrae are fused with the normal vertebral bodies.

Because hemivertebrae can be located anywhere in the spine, it’s important to determine where they are and how severely compressed they are. This can be done with a spinal x-ray.

Most dogs with hemivertebrae have only mild signs of discomfort or problems with their spinal cord. However, if your dog has severe symptoms, it could be life-threatening. If your dog has hemivertebrae, you’ll want to have them evaluated by a veterinarian.

There’s no cure for hemivertebrae, but your vet can help you manage the condition and keep your pet comfortable. You’ll need to monitor your pet’s weight, keep up with their exercise schedule and make sure they get plenty of rest.

Hemivertebrae are a common problem in the French Bulldog breed, and they’re thought to be caused by genetics. It’s important to be aware of your dog’s health so you can make informed decisions when they become older.