Orthopedics and Neurology in Bulldogs
Orthopedics and Neurology in Bulldogs is common to the breed. Time and again, I treat bulldogs at my practice with many of the same unfortunate neurological and orthopedic problems.
Orthopedics and Neurology in Bulldogs CAUSE
Most of these problems are brought about by the breed’s unique anatomy, combined with decades of inbreeding practices, placing emphasis on desirable “show quality” features despite the direct impact on the breed’s health. When the Bulldogs’ unusual bone conformation and joint alignment become compounded by the breed’s large size and the excess weight they carry, severe rotation and angulation of the joints can occur. This joint rotation and angulation will produce wear and tear on the joints that often result in painful and debilitating injuries as well as degenerative joint disease.
In this “ Bulldog Orthopedics & Neurology “ chapter I am going to cover in detail some of the most common bulldog orthopedics, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Each topic (i.e anterior ligament tears, medial patella luxation, etc.) is going to be divided into four major sections:
1. V4B Bully introductory: details of the specific condition and its origin.
2. V4B Bulldog Maintenance: A “take-home” bully maintenance program.
3. V4B Bully Rule of Thumb: A “must know” take-home pearl of wisdom.
4. V4B Bully Tips & Warnings: A list of essential “Dos and DON’T’s”
Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Total Joint Care Supplement
Medial Patella Luxation (MPL) in Bulldogs:
MPL is better known to most veterinarians as a small-breed orthopedic condition, one which is rarely diagnosed in larger breeds. Bulldogs, however, are the exception to this rule, and, despite being a large breed dog, Medial Patella Luxation is as common a disorder for bulldogs as it is for small breed dogs.)….Read More
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears (ACL Rupture)
The knee is stabilized by four primary ligaments: medial & lateral collateral, cranial/ anterior cruciate (CrCL/ACL), and caudal/posterior cruciate. The function of the ACL is threefold….Read More
Hemivertebrae (Butterfly Vertebrae) in Bulldog
Hemivertebrae is a congenital (“at birth”, “born with”) malformation of the vertebrae seen most often in short-faced, screw-tailed breeds like our bulldogs….Read More
Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs and Bulldog Puppies:
Elbow Dysplasia in dogs is a condition that is caused when the elbow joint is abnormally developed during your bulldog growing phase. In newborn bulldog puppies, many bones are not actually one long bone, but consist of many pieces of bone surrounded by cartilage….Read More
Arthritis and Arthritic Pain in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs:
Arthritis, also known as a degenerative joint disease (DJD), is an inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis in bulldogs, as in humans, is a progressive, degenerative disease that worsens with age. Arthritis affects the smooth articular cartilage of your bulldog’s joints…..Read More
Head Tremors in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs :
Head tremors in English bulldogs and French bulldogs are also known as “bulldog head bobbing”, “bulldog head shaking” and “idiopathic bulldog head tremors“. Head tremors in bulldogs are usually intermittent and is usually considered harmless…..Read More
Prednisone (Steroids) for Bulldogs: Benefits & Risks in Bulldogs
Prednisone steroids for bulldogs and French Bulldogs replicate the actions of a naturally occurring hormone in the body. This hormone, called Glucocorticoids, or cortisol, is also known as the “stress hormone”…...Read More
*COMING SOON
All the “Bully Orthopedics & Neurology -Maintenance Topics” below will be published in the coming weeks. I will be happy to alert you to each new publication via email. Just add your email to our “Join Our U4B Community” membership listing or to our “ALERT” email box at the top left corner. Also, I will alert you to any new release of my upcoming ”Do It Yourself V4B Bully Maintenance Videos”.
