Spina Bifida in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Spina Bifida in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs puppies are not always symptomatic.
Spina Bifida in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CAUSE:
Bulldogs with spina bifida are shown to miss parts of their vertebrae due to an embryonic malformation and incompletion of their vertebral arches.
Normally, the vertebrae’s bony structure encases and protects your bulldog puppy delicate and prone to injury spinal cord. Bulldogs suffering from spina bifida are present with a spinal cord that has no bony protection around it, thus parts of it will remain exposed, might protrude out, and suffer injuries.
The Large thick arrows show the normal vertebrae with their spinous process. The narrow arrow shows the missing spinous process consistent with bulldog Spina Bifida
When this Bulldog and French bulldog Spina Bifida defect includes multiple vertebrae the nonprotected exposed and protruding spinal cord is likely to suffer neurological injuries
Spina Bifida in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs PRESENTATION:
Bulldogs and French bulldogs with multiple spinal arches defects are more likely to exhibit clinical problems, most of each involving the lower back (posterior, caudal lumbar spine region).
Most bulldogs with spina bifida who exhibit clinical signs will usually present with a range of neurological problems manifested by lower back rather than upper back problems. Those lower back neurological problems may include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Fecal Incontinence
- Persistent UTI due to fecal contaminants, residual urine in the bladder, ascending infections
- Hind legs weakness (mild), paraplegia or paralysis (severe)
- Ataxia (incoordination)
- Loss of pain sensation in the hind section (severe)
Spina Bifida in Bulldogs & Fr. Bulldog PREVENTION & CARE:
Unfortunately, there are no known effective treatments for English bulldogs and French bulldog puppies with spina bifida.
There are ongoing research and trial one of which is stem cell therapy that in the future might provide therapeutic relief for those poor puppies.
Bulldogs and French bulldogs suffering from medical problems related to spina bifida usually demand daily support & care and lifelong committed pet owners.
Bulldog Spina Bifida SKINFOLD ANTISEPTIC WIPES:
Daily wiping of the vaginal folds, and anal and perianal region with antiseptic wipes like
Bulldog Spina Bifida UTI PREVENTION:
Supplements to prevent multidrug-resistant bacteria (biofilm), like
Bulldog Spina Bifida IMMUNE & ANTI-INFLAMMATION:
Supplements to enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation like
TRANSPORTATION: a frame with wheels or a wagon to transport your bulldog
PHYSIOTHERAPY: physiotherapy to maintain hind legs muscle tone.
HYGIENE: Hygiene Management to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection
DIAPER CHANGE: timely diaper change to avoid skin soiling wounds and UTI
Spina Bifida in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:
Dr. Kraemer’s Spina Bifida TIPS:
Bulldog Spina Bifida LOCATION
Spina bifida in bulldogs can occur anywhere in the spinal column but is seen most often in the lower back region.
most bulldogs with spina bifida present with lower back vertebral defects involving the lumbar and/or Sacral vertebra.
Bulldog Spina Bifida AGE
Clinical problems exhibited by spina bifida usually begin early in life often when your bulldog puppy starts walking.
Bulldog Spina Bifida GENETIC LINK:
We believe that there is a genetic link that undines spina bifida in bulldogs,
In addition, external environmental toxins during pregnancy, in utero stress, nutritional imbalance, and other deficits could trigger bulldog spina bifida
Bulldog Spina Bifida BREED
English and French bulldogs are one of the most common breeds t0 suffer from Spina Bifida
Bulldog Spina Bifida NO SYMPTOMS
Bulldogs with only minimal vertebral involvement might never exhibit clinical problems and are sometimes diagnosed during random radiographs.
Bulldog Spina Bifida DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Radiograph images of bulldogs with spina bifida usually lack vertebral arches or/and dorsal spinous processes of a single or multi-vertebra that failed to fuse.
in some cases, spina bifida in bulldogs, CT and/or MRI is recommended for a definitive diagnosis.
Spina Bifida Dr. Kraemer’s Warnings:
Bulldog Spina Bifida PAIN SENSATION:
Bulldogs suffering from an advanced case of spina bifida might not have a good pain sensation in their back parts and will show no distress from painful stimuli to that area.
Unfortunately, some severe bulldog and French bulldog Spina Bifida are euthanized due to poor quality of life and care requirements.
“An Ounce of PREVENTION is Worth a Pound of CURE”
*This guide was compiled courtesy of Dr. Kraemer, a “must-read” manual for bully owners