Intervertebral Disk Back Disease IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
The spinal cord travels from your bulldog’s head/brain to its pelvis, serving as the main pipeline/highway for the upstream and downstream of neurological input and output.
It includes
- Motor function
- Proprioception (body position),
- Sensory & Pain
Intervertebral Disk Back Disease IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs / ANATOMY
Your bulldog and French bulldog spinal cords are protected by the spinal canal. The canal is molded from various types of bone-made vertebra bodies.
The spinal column is divided into four sections:
- Cervical
- Thoracic
- Lumbar
- Sacral
Between each pair of spinal vertebrae lies a spongy disc that is composed of a gelatinous center surrounded by a fibrous shell.
These discs allow for the movements, twisting, and flexibility of your bully’s stiff, bony vertebrae.
They also help hold the vertebrae together and act as shock absorbers.
Bulldog IVDD 5 X MUST KNOW
- IVDD is more common in French bulldogs than in English bulldogs.
- They can present with mild to intense pain. From weakness to motor, proprioception, and sensory loss
- Clinically they present with mild weakness to severe motor, proprioception, and sensory loss.
- Treatment depends on severity, mild case requires confinement and RX, and severe immediate surgery.
- Prevention includes Dr. Kraemer’s Back Care Bundles
Members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
IVDD in French Bulldogs and Bulldogs DISC HERNIATION:
If the inner disc part herniates through its shell, it protrudes and compresses the delicate nerve tissue of the spinal cord, which in turn will inflict
- Injury
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- PAIN
Clinical presentation depends on the severity of the injury and the trauma location.
IVDD French Bulldog PREDISPOSITION:
IVDD is more common in French bulldogs due to the breed’s genetic predisposition.
IVDD may be sudden and occur at a young age.
IVDD in Bulldog and OTHER BACK PROBLEMS:
Other common bulldogs and French bulldog back conditions are:
BULLDOG MALFORMATIONS:
Vertebral Malformations, such as:
VERTEBRAL SPINAL FRACTURE:
Spinal Fracture or dislocation of the spine is most commonly associated with trauma.
VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS:
Spinal infections.
SPINAL & VERTEBRAL CANCER:
Spinal tumors of the spinal bone or cord.
BULLDOG SPINAL SPONDYLOSIS
Arthritis of the spine, most common in the lumbar and sacral vertebra.
SPINAL EMBOLI: Fibrocartilaginous emboli,
Is an acute “stroke-like” disorder of the spinal cord. In contrast to other spinal conditions such as Bulldog IVDD, Bulldog FCE is a painless spinal condition with the exception of an initial sharp pain that soon subsides.
IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CLINICAL MANIFESTATION:
STIFF NECK: Stiff sensitive neck
CRYING: Crying out when touched around the neck/head movements
POSTURE: An arched back, hunched posture
STANCE: A praying position with the head in a low stance
TENSE: Tense abdomen
WEAKNESS: Front and/or hind legs weakness, paw abnormal placement, lameness and/or motor problems (paraplegia, paralysis)
MOVEMENT: Distress, reluctance to move, jump or walk upstairs
CRYING: Crying out when touched or picked up
URINATION: Difficulties in evacuating the bladder (larger than normal bladder), urine incontinence.
DEFECATION: Fecal incontinence
DRAGGING: Dragging and knuckling the legs/paws
PAIN: Lack of pain or oversensitivity to pain
WOBBLE: Wobbly, Ataxic gait
The two most common locations of the bulldog and French bulldog IVDD are the
- CERVICAL (neck )
- THORACOLUMBAR (mid-section).
Intervertebral Disk Back Disease IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs DIAGNOSIS
- EXAM: Neurological Examination
- LAB: Blood and Urine Test
- XRAYS; Radiographs
- TAP: Spinal Tap (cytology, fluid analysis, culture)
- MYELOGRAM
- IMAGING: MRI and/or CT is usually necessary for a final diagnosis
IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PREVENTION:
BULLDOG IVDD THERAPEUTIC SUPPLEMENTS:
Bulldog and French Bulldog BONES & JOINTS:
Bulldog and French Bulldog COMFORT & ACHELESS:
- V4B Bully Comfort & AcheLess Economic Bundle
Bulldog and French Bulldog ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
- V4B Bully Fish Oil Joint-Skin-Immune
Bulldog and French Bulldog ANTI ANXIETY, CALMING, STRESSLESS:
- V4B Bully StressLess Bundle
- V4B Bully HEMP Calm & Relax
Bulldog and French Bulldog STOOL SOFTENERS:
Bulldog and French BulldogURINARY TRACT SUPPORT
Bulldog and French Bulldog CBD:
For Dr. Kraemer’s V4B IVDD affordable bundles click HERE
The members of this bulldog community prefer prevention over RX
BULLDOG IVDD THERAPEUTIC TOPICALS:
Bulldog and French Bulldog ANTISEPTIC WIPES:
Wipe the perianal area and vaginal area if dripping to avoid irritation, scalding, and infection with an antiseptic wipe
IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs SURGERY:
SURGERY: Surgery to decompress the herniated disk material is required in severe cases. Your veterinarian neurologist will evaluate the damage to sensory, proprioception, and motor nerves and the imaging findings to help you decide between the medical and surgical options and the urgency of surgery.
If your bully is unable to walk normally, paralyzed, or has no deep pain sensation, surgery may be recommended.
Timing could be critical, dont delay the exam.
BULLDOG IVDD AFTER SURGERY CARE:
BLADDER: If needed, manual compression of the bladder
WHEELS: If surgery is not successful, “Wheels” with lower section support could improve mobility
WIPE: Wipe the perianal area and vaginal area if dripping to avoid irritation, scalding, and infection with an antiseptic wipe Like Dr. Kraemer’s Extra Large Antiseptic Wipes
Intervertebral Disk Back Disease IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PROGNOSIS
Loss of deep pain usually carries a poor prognosis and should be referred to a neurologist for possible immediate decompressing surgery.
The longer the damage has been present, the worse the prognosis.
IVDD in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs WARNINGS
Bulldogs and French Bulldogs IVDD / CAGE REST:
When opting for medical management, strict cage rest will be essential for at least four weeks.
This rest is essential to allow a “scar” to form over the top of the disc material; early activity may precipitate the herniation of the rest of the disc material and worsen your dog’s condition.
Strict cage rest for a minimum four weeks
Bulldog Intervertebral Disk Back Disease / URINATION:
Due to the spinal injury your bulldog bladder function, bladder muscle contraction, and emptying might be affected.
The bladder will overfill causing urine stasis and infection, urine might dribble and soak the vaginal folds and hind legs, in those cases, your help to empty the bladder might be needed.
Bulldog and French Bulldog IVDD / DEFECATION:
Like the bladder muscles and sphincters, the elimination system might also be impacted by neurological injury. Often your bulldog and French bulldog might be unable to defecate and maintain normal fecal elimination or become impacted. You might need to add a stool softener like Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Gentle Move Formula,
Other times they might become incontinent and will need a diaper.
“An Ounce of PREVENTION Is Worth a Pound of CURE”
*This guide was compiled courtesy of Dr. Kraemer, a “must-read” manual for current and future bully owners