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Vet4Bulldog > French Bulldog Health Issues The Expert Guide⚕️
Bulldog in hands; menu options for canine health care.

French Bulldog Health Issues: The Expert Guide:

By Dr. Kraemer | Vet4Bulldog | Fr. & Eng Bulldog Specalist

Your trusted roadmap to raising a happy, healthy, and hilariously adorable Frenchie—from Day 1 to Year 20+

fr bulldog expert guide

The Expert Step-by-Step Guide for French Bulldog Owners

So, You’re Getting a Frenchie? Buckle Up for the (Adorable) Ride! The ultimate soulmate … the kind with cuddles, chaos, and the occasional vet bill.

Table of Contents

French Bulldogs aren’t your average pups—they’re heart-meltingly cute and medically quirky. Owning one is like joining an exclusive club.

French Bulldog MUST KNOW

But don’t worry, Dr. Kraemer has your back with over 20 years of bulldog expertise and no-bull insight. Get the

  • Must-know bully tips
  • Real-world bully warnings
  • and breed-specific advice you won’t find anywhere else!

Welcome to The Prevention Over Prescription Community

Should I Buy or Adopt My French Bulldog? Must-Know #1

Adopt, Don’t Shop… But If You Shop, Be Smart

A. Adopting a French Bulldog Must-Know:

Consider rescuing a French Bulldog. Adopting from a credible rescue is more affordable, and you’ll give a deserving bully a second chance at life—and love❤️.

Adopting a French Bulldog Rescue

 

B. Buying a French Bulldog Must-Know:

If you go the breeder route, make sure they’re reputable.

Puppy mills and backyard breeders =

  • 💔Heartbreak
  • 💲Hefty vet bills
  • and more than a few tears

Dr. K’s Must-Know Bulldog Buyer Advice:

Do your homework:

  • Ask for health clearances
  • Check for transparency, documentation, and references
  • Ask if they provide guarantees and cover medical bills during the grace period.
  • Use your “puppy honeymoon” grace period to visit a bulldog vet

Getting a French Bulldog: Helpful Links

Do I need a Bulldog Specialist Vet for my French Bulldog? Must-Know #2

Your Frenchie isn’t like other breeds; its exam should be done by someone who truly gets it, especially when it comes to its weird, wonderful (and often worrisome) health quirks.

From breathing issues to skin drama to spinal curveballs, bulldogs require a proactive, breed-specific medical approach from day one.

Seeking a Bulldog Vet? Must-Do Expert Advice

⏱️Don’t wait until something’s wrong. Seek a veterinarian who:

  1.  Knows the breed’s quirky
  2.  Focuses on preventing problems, not just treating them
  3.  Understands bulldog-specific anesthesia risks & safety protocols
  4. Has experience with common bulldog surgeries

👉 Prevention is your and your wallet’s best friend. So is your vet—if you pick the right one

Pro Tip: Don’t shop by price—shop by expertise.

Dr. Kraemer French Bulldog Specialist

Finding A Bulldog Vet: Helpful Links:

  1. Bully Vet Visit Must-Know-Do” Guide
  2. ⚕️See a Bulldog-Vet
  3. 🌿Bully Wellness Preventive Therapeutic Bundles

Should a French Bulldog Puppy Owner Get Pet Insurance? Must-Know #3

Let’s be real, Frenchies are a genetically high-maintenance breed. From

-Their first year can feel like a medical mystery tour… and your wallet takes the hits.

French bulldog cherry eye

Pet insurance for your Frenchies pups isn’t a maybe—it’s a must!

Pet Insurance For Bulldogs: Must-Do Expert Advice:

  1. Sign up ASAP, waiting means the risk of “pre-existing condition” denial later.
  2. 👉 Choose a national plan that covers bulldog-specific conditions—not all of them do.

Pet Insurance for The Fr. Bulldog Owner Helpful Links:

  1. Which Pet Insurance is Best for My Bulldog?
  2. Pet Insurance For A New Bulldog Puppy: Must-Know
  3. ⚕️See a Bulldog-Vet
  4. 🌿Bulldog Low-Cost Therapeutic Bundles

French Bulldog Wellness & Preventive Care: Must-Know #4

Frenchies aren’t just adorable, they’re delicate little land hippos with a PhD in drama and a rap sheet of breed-specific health quirks.

French bulldog wellness exam

Stay on top of wellness and prevention, here’s your basic starter pack:

  1. Internal Parasites: Poop checks for worms & parasites (yep, it’s glamorous and public safety)
  2. Vaccines: Core vaccines to keep your pup safe
  3. External Parasites: Flea, tick, mosquitoes/heartworm prevention customized by where you live
  4. Microchip ID: because Frenchies aren’t great with directions
  5. Screening Lab Test: especially for maturing and senior bullies
  6. 🌿Dr. K’s Preventive Supplements & Topical Theraputics are formulated for bulldog-specific needs:
    • wrinkles
    • skin & wrinkles,
    • joints & back
    • digestion & breathing
    • & more

Join Our Prevention Over Prescription Bulldog Community

Puppy Bundle - Ultimate

Prevention, Care, and Wellness Expert Advice:

Don’t wait for trouble to strike, preventive care saves you money, stress, and late-night vet panics.

Bulldog Preventive Care and Wellness Helpful Links:

  1. French Bulldog Puppy Prevention
  2. Adult Bulldog Prevention
  3. Senior Bulldog Prevention
  4. Intestinal parasite prevention
  5. Giardia Prevention
  6. Heartworm Prevention
  7. Flea Allergy Prevention
  8. Microchip Lost & Found
  9. 🌿Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Therapeutic Preventive Care Store

What’s the Best Food for Your French Bulldogs?: Must-Know #5

Feeding your French Bulldog shouldn’t feel like decoding ancient scrolls, “grain-free,” “raw-fed,”  and “air-dried by forest monks” among many confusing choices.

Let’s skip the marketing fluff and get real, with a no-bull guide to feeding your Frenchie right:

The Bulldog Specialist Feeding & Nutrition Guide:

  1. Nutrition customization: Your Frenchie isn’t generic, and their food shouldn’t be either. One-size-fits-all? Not here.
    • Age
    • weight
    • energy level
    • allergies
    • gut issues
    • And even seasonal flare-ups matter.
  2. Dodge the Danger Foods: Frenchies are snack bandits. But that charcuterie board? Not for them. Toxic to bulldogs:
    • chocolate
    • grapes
    • onions,
    • avocado
    • raisins
    • When in doubt, keep it out.
  3. Myth vs. Science: Trendy doesn’t always mean safe. Some “grain-free” diets have been linked to heart issues. “Raw” diets risk bacteria.

Stick with evidence-based, vet-approved formulas—not boutique buzzwords.

Best food for French bulldog

Dr. Kraemer’s Nutrition Tip:

👉Pair smart food choices with bulldog-specific supplements for skin, joint, gut & immune health.

Fr. Bulldog probiotics therapeutic supplement handout

French Bulldog Nutrition, Food, and Diet Helpful Links:

Fr. Bulldog Non-Prescription Therapeutics: Must-Know #6

A multimodal approach that strengthens the immune system, joints, and gut overall health without over-relying on meds.

What Are The Best Fr. Bulldog Topicals & Supplements?

The Frenchie Wellness Power Duo, here’s how we do it—naturally

  1. Lean, balanced body = less joint strain & inflammation
  2. Low-stress living = calmer mind, healthier immune system
  3. Targeted nutrition & gut support = stronger defenses from the inside out

Bulldog Supplements That Work (When They’re the Right Ones):

bulldog joint care AD

Bulldog Topicals That Soothe, Protect & Heal:

  • 🌿Medicated shampoos & rinses
  • 🌿Soothing lotions, creams, and sprays
  • 🌿Antimicrobial wipes & gels for folds, paws, and hotspots

Yeasty bulldog ears causing discomfort bundle

These help reduce inflammation, balance skin flora, and prevent flare-ups without immediately jumping to steroids or antibiotics.

Multimodal Approach To French Bulldog Health Expert Advice:

  1.  Start with daily bulldog-specific prevention and let nature (and science) do the heavy lifting.
  2. Look for high-quality, bulldog-specific formulations with proven bioavailability.
  3. 👉 Explore Dr. Kraemer’s Multimodal Bulldog Prevention Kits, tailored to your pup’s stage of life and health needs, and curated for skin, gut, immune, and joint wellness.

💊Prescription meds can be life-saving, but they shouldn’t be your default.

Non-RX Prevent & Care Bulldog Therapeutic Helpful Links:

  1. French bulldog supplements untold secrets 
  2. Dr. Kraemer’s Fr. Bulldog Therapeutic Supplements Must-Know 
  3. Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Pre-Probiotics and Digestive Enzyme 
  4. Benefits of Dr. Kraemer’s bully topical therapeutics
  5. 🌿Fr. Bulldog Prevent & Care Low-Cost Supplements
  6. 🌿Fr. Bulldog Prevent & Care Low Cost Grooming & Topicals

Should I Spay or Neuter My French Bulldog? Must-Know #7

Sterlizing is one of the biggest dilemmas new Frenchie moms (and dads!) face—and let’s be real, the online advice rabbit hole doesn’t make it any easier.

Sterilizing your bulldog can prevent

  • surprise litters
  • cancer
  • risky pregnancies
  • and pricey emergency C-sections

It also offers long-term health perks—but like everything “bulldog”, timing matters.

French Bulldog Strilization Expert Advice:

  1. ✅Staying intact benefits: Letting your Frenchie stay intact for a little while may help support optimal growth and development, support joint growth, bone density, and emotional maturity.
  2. ❌Staying intact risks: As they age, intact Frenchies face increased risk for:
    • Uterine infections (like pyometra)
    • Hormone-related cancers (breast tumors, ovarian tumors, prostate tumors, testicular tumors)
    • Prostate enlargement and related issues
  3.  Planning to Breed? You will need to factor in genetics, health screening, and timing. No backyard guesswork here—Frenchie breeding is serious business. You will need to factor:
    • Timing
    • Cost
    • Risk/Reward.

👉Keeping them intact for too long? Not always worth the risk.

Dr. K’s Fr. Bulldog Sterlization Balanced Approach:

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. I recommend consulting your vet and tailoring the decision based on:

  1. Your Frenchie’s age, behavior, and health
  2. Your lifestyle and environment
  3. Whether breeding is part of the plan

👉 Your Frenchie’s future health and quality of life depend on smart, informed choices, not outdated rules or online myths.

⏰Timing is everything—especially when it comes to bulldogs.

Bulldog Spay & Neuter Helpful Links:

  1. Fr. Bulldog Spay Benefits & Risks
  2. 3 X Reasons To Spay Your Bulldogs
  3. Bulldog First heat and Estrus cycle
  4. Fr. Bulldog Neuter Benefits & Risks
  5. 3 X Reasons To Neuter Your Bulldogs

French Bulldog Anesthesia—What Every Bulldog Parent Must Know

Too many bulldogs don’t wake up from anesthesia, and most tragedies are preventable.

It all loops back to choosing a veterinarian with real bulldog expertise—and that’s never more critical than when anesthesia and surgery are involved.

Why Bulldogs Are High-Risk Under Anesthesia?

Mostly due to their Flat faces (BOAS) = compromised airways and their wide impact on all essential systems

  1. Reflux leading to aspiration pneumonia
  2. Heat sensitivity = higher risk of overheating
  3. Stress response = more complications during recovery
  4. Intubation and Extubation Precision Timing

This is why bulldog-specific protocols and breed anesthesia expertise are non-negotiable.

Bulldog anesthesia monitoring

Dr. K’s Bulldog Specialist Anesthesia Safety Must Know:

  1. Shop for expertise, not the lowest price. Anesthesia is not the time to bargain hunt.
  2. 👉 Remember: A routine procedure for most dogs can be risky for a Frenchie.
    • Arm yourself with knowledge
    • Advocate for your pup
    • And when in doubt—ask Dr. K.

 French Bulldog Anesthesia Safety Helpful Links:

Must-Reads Before Any Elective Procedure: Don’t go under without reading these.

  1. Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Anesthesia Safety Guide
  2. Why did my Fr Bulldog pass away under  (Q & A)
  3. Fr. Bulldog Senior Anesthesia Safety
  4. Bulldog Superior Anesthesia 

BOAS—The #1 Medical Risk Every Frenchie Parent Needs to Know: Must-Know 9

Sure, your Frenchie runs the house, but BOAS—Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome—is the real bossy bully in disguise.

This isn’t just about snoring. It’s about survival and Quality of Life.

BOAS is a progressive, dangerous respiratory obstructive disease built into that flat-faced, wrinkle-covered cuteness.

French bulldog stenotic nares

What Types of Airway Problems are Included in BOAS?

  1. Pinched nostrils (stenotic nares)
  2. Sleep Apnea
  3. Elongated soft palate
  4. Narrowed trachea
  5. Everted Laryngeal Saccules
  6. Collapsing larynx → irreversible, often deadly

🚨BOAS puts your Frenchie’s lungs, heart, gut, esophagus, and microbiome under siege.

Why Timely Repair of BOAS Is Critical?

BOAS won’t “fix itself.” It only gets worse over time!
👉 The safest time to repair it? At the end of the growth period, around 8-9m of age, waiting too long, and you risk:

Fr. Bulldog BOAS Dangerous Domino Effect:

  1. Airway narrowing → increased resistance
  2. Struggling to breathe → retching, vomiting
  3. Retching → aspiration pneumonia
  4. Chronic BOAS → laryngeal collapse,  heart damage, tragic death

Bulldog BOAS Survival Tips Expert Advice:

Until surgery, manage your Frenchie like a VIP on respiratory watch:

  • Keep them cool and ventilated (hello, AC)
  • Small meals, raised bowls—avoid gulping
  • Minimize stress & play—no overheating
  • No flights, no hikes, no neck leash, no drama
  • 🌿  Add calming & gut-balancing supplements

How Do I Know If My Frenchie Has BOAS? Expert Advice!

  1. Visible pinched nose
  2. Snoring, stertor (noisy breathing), or wheezing—especially with activity
  3. Retching, vomiting, or coughing after meals or excitement
  4. Exercise intolerance
  5. Blue pale tongue (cyanosis)
  6. Easily overheating

🚨 These are red flags, not quirks.

BOAS Visual Aids From The Bulldog Specialist

Don’t Guess—Watch, Learn and Act:

Is French Bulldog BOAS Treatable?

BOAS is treatable—but only if you act early.

“Prevention is the cure.” Your Frenchie’s life depends on it.

BOAS Must-Know, Must-Do Helpful Links:

  1. Fr. Bulldog BOAS
  2. Fr. Bulldog BOAS and Sleep Apnea Q & A
  3. French Bulldog Sleep Apnea
  4. French Bulldog Breathing Problems
  5. Why is my Fr. Bulldog foaming and hacking? (Q & A)
  6. Why My Fr. Bulldog lip licking and refluxing (Q & A)

How to Prevent and Manage French Bulldog Wrinkles? Must-Know #10

Those adorable squishy Frenchie wrinkles? Yeah… they’re not just for show, if left untreated, they’re moist little microbe magnets, perfect for brewing yeast, bacteria, and itchy inflammation.

Common Fr Bulldog Wrinkle Trouble Zones:

  1. Nasal & Facial Folds
  2. Paw (Interdigital) Folds
  3. Tail Pocket (aka “Swamp Tail”)
  4. Crotch Crease & Vaginal Folds

These folds trap moisture, dirt, and debris, leading to redness, itching, odor, pain, and full-blown moist dermatitis and infections.

Wrinkle and Skinfolds Expert Advice: Prevention > Prescription

Start early, stay consistent, and you’ll save your Frenchie (and your wallet) from long-term meds, pain, and costly surgeries.

Most wrinkles problems can be prevented and managed at home with a consistent, multimodal approach:

  1. French Bulldog Topical Care Must-Haves:

Bully Skinfolds bundle - Ultimate

 

  1. Internal Support That Shows on the Skin:

Skin and Allergy Handout_English Bulldog

Think of it as a skincare beauty routine—but for paws, tails, and bulldog butts.

What Do When Wrinkles Skincare Isn’t Enough?

In severe or chronic cases, surgery might be needed:

  1. Tail Pocket Removal – for deep, infected tail folds
  2. Vulvar Fold Reduction – helps prevent UTIs and chronic vaginal fold infections

Wrinkles & Skinfolds Must-Know, Must-Do Helpful Links:

  1. How to prevent & care wrinkle infection VIDEO
  2. Wrinkle Care Ask Dr. K Q & A
  3. Advances in Preventive Care
  4. Bulldog Wrinkle Infection Prevent & Care
  5. Five Must-Know Painful and Infected Bulldog Tail Pocket

Skin SOS, How to Beat French Bulldog Itch & Allergies Must Know #11

Frenchies come with wrinkles, sass, and a built-in subscription to Itch & Allergy
It’s not your fault; their quirky immune system and allergy genes make them magnets for:

  1. Creepy‑crawlies: demodex mites, fleas
  2. Allergens: grassy tickle, dusty couches, mystery kibble

👉 Solution? Daily non-Rx TLC + smart supplements = less scratching, fewer RX

Fr. Bulldog Skin, Itch and Allergies No‑Rx Expert Advice:

Bulldog skincare products displayed on white background, various labels.

Boost from the Inside

Bully Fish Oil container, bulldog image

Only use  “RX Big Guns” for acute and severe flare‑ups

⚠️Long‑term steroids & antibiotics can wreck immunity, gut bacteria, and breed super‑bugs

Bulldog Skin Disease Prevention & Care Expert Advice

  1. “Daily non‑prescription TLC beats lifelong drugs—your Frenchie’s skin (and your wallet) will thank you.”
  2. Low‑cost, low‑risk, antibacterial, anti-yeast, allergy, and itch control no-prescription remdies.
  3. Stick to the routine, avoid harmful medication, and let the itch be history!

Skin, Allergies, and Itching Must-Know, Must-Do Helpful Links:

  1. Bulldog and French Bulldog Allergies
  2. Bulldog and French Bulldog Skin Infection
  3. Bulldog and French Bulldog Food Allergies
  4. Skin Disease Bulldog Dermatitis: Prevent & Treat 
  5. Skin Mites in Bulldogs
  6. Seven  Most Common Reasons for Bulldog Hair Loss
  7. Five Bulldog Interdigital Cysts Do & Don’t

 French Bulldog Back Problems and IVDD Must-Know #12

French Bulldogs may be the poster pups for cuteness, but their compact, chondrodystrophic skeletal disorder bodies come with spinal baggage.

What Is IVDD?

IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) occurs when the cushion-like discs between vertebrae degenerate, bulge, or rupture, leading to spinal cord compression. The result?

  • Acute pain
  • Weakness
  • And even paralysis

Why Frenchies Are at IVDD Risk?

Frenchies are genetically prone to disc degeneration because of their chondrodystrophic build—short, curved bones with abnormal cartilage. Combine that with their screw-tail and compact vertebrae, and the risk for spinal trauma skyrockets.

What Are The Other Fr. Bulldog Common Back Issues?

  1. Hemivertebrae: Wedge-shaped vertebrae that can cause spinal deformities and pressure points
  2. Spina Bifida: A Congenital defect where the spine doesn’t fully close, potentially causing nerve damage
  3. Stenosis & Spondylosis: Chronic narrowing or bony growths affecting mobility

How To Prevent IVDD?:

Early intervention

  1. Weight Control: Obesity multiplies the load on the spine. Keep your Frenchie lean!
  2. Jump Avoidance: No staircases, high beds, or couch-leaps—ramps and steps only if needed
  3. Bully Therapeutic Supplements:
  4. Low-impact Exercise: Swimming and leash walks promote muscle support without spinal stress
  5. Stem Cell Therapy

Dr. Kraemer Bulldog IVDD Bundle Facebook

How To Treat French Bulldog IVDD?

Treatment Plans Vary:

Mild IVDD:

  • Strict 4–6 weeks of cage rest
  • Pain control and anti-inflammatory meds
  • Laser therapy, acupuncture, and rehab can aid recovery
  • Bully IVDD Therapeutic Supplements

Moderate to Severe IVDD:

  • MRI confirmation may be needed
  • Surgery (usually hemilaminectomy) to relieve pressure
  • Post-op rehab and nursing care are essential

IVDD in French Bulldog after surgery

Non-ambulatory Bulldog Back and IVDD Cases:

  • Lifelong supportive care
  • Doggie wheelchairs
  • Bladder management and physical therapy

MPL in French Bulldog Must-Know #13

That “click” or skip you’re seeing could be MPL (Medial Patella Luxation) — and yes, it’s more common than you think in our smooshy-faced Fr. bulldog puppy sweethearts.

Oh no, is your little wiggle-butt suddenly skipping like she’s in a hopscotch contest?  What does That Clicking & Skipping mean?

What Is MPL Anyway?

MPL is when your Frenchie’s kneecap slips out of place, usually toward the inside of the knee groove.
It’s often seen in young pups, sometimes as early as a few months old.

My French Bulldog Puppy Has MPL. What Should I Expect?

  1. A clicking sound when walking
  2. A sudden hop or skip
  3. A funny little limp or bunny-hopping gait

And no — it’s not just a quirk. It’s a structural issue linked to both genetics and bulldog conformation.

Fr. Bulldog MPL 101: The 4 Grades

We grade MPL from 1 to 4 — think of it like a report card for kneecaps:

  1. Grade 1️⃣: Slips out, pops back in — like a part-time rebel.
  2. Grade 2️⃣: Pops in and out on its own — not so cute anymore.
  3. Grade 3️⃣&4️⃣: Stuck outside the groove — ouch!

Surgery is usually needed for Grade 2 and above

 How To Prevent MPL?

We’re all about that prevent-don’t-panic approach:

  1. Smart breeding only — no passing down faulty knees
  2. Keep them lean — extra pounds = extra pressure on those knees
  3. Consider regenerative therapies like stem cells or PRP for long-term joint support
  4. 🌿Daily joint supplements (Dr. Kraemer’s favs are bully-friendly and vet-formulated)

Waiting too long can lead to:

How Do We Fix French Bulldog MPL?

For Grades 2-4, surgical correction is the gold standard.

Don’t worry — pups usually bounce back like champs when it’s caught early and done by a skilled surgeon.

Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog MPL Takeaway:

  1. MPL is super common in Frenchies — but it’s not something you have to live with.
  2. The sooner you spot it, the better your options
  3. Prevention and timing is critical

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