Vertebral Malformation Back disease in Fr Bulldogs

Name: Vertebral Malformation Back Problem In Bulldogs And French Bulldogs
Creator: Dr. Roy Kraemer
Published: 2022-10-31T19:28:35-07:00

Last updated 22 September 2026 by Roy Kraemer, DVM

Severe kyphosis from vertebral malformation in a French Bulldog

That corkscrew tail you love is a vertebral malformation. It is the same thing, in the same breed, just in a place where it does no harm.

Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are born with malformed vertebrae: wedge shaped hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, transitional vertebrae, spina bifida. Most are found by accident on a radiograph taken for something else, and most never cause a problem.

The ones that matter are higher up the spine, where a wedged vertebra can press on the cord. Here is how to tell which kind you are looking at.

Jump to:4 malformation types 5 signs of compression Prevention and treatment 7 owner questions

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Dr. K’s Quick Answer

Vertebral malformation is congenital: your bulldog was born with it. It comes from abnormal development or fusion of the primary ossification centres of the vertebrae, and it takes four main forms in this breed: hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, transitional vertebrae and spina bifida. Many bulldogs carry at least one of them and only a few ever show pain or clinical signs. The key variable is location. In the tail it is the corkscrew, and since the spinal cord ends before the tail begins there is no neurological consequence, only skin fold problems. Higher up, most often around the eighth thoracic vertebra, a wedged vertebra can compress the cord. And here is the reassuring part: once the vertebral growth plates fuse at around 9 to 10 months, the clinical signs usually plateau.

Vertebral Malformation Back Problems in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are common in both breeds. The bulldog skeleton is supported by a spinal column that is composed of two main parts: VERTEBRAE: Multiple vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, abdominal, sacral, and tailbone). DISC: Soft, pasty, spongy discs (the dark space/line between the vertebras seen on radiographs) that cushion those bony vertebrae and allow a range of motion.

From Dr. Kraemer’s inbox

“Dr. Kraemer, our Frenchie had chest X-rays before a dental and the vet mentioned hemivertebrae. He is seven months old and seems completely normal. Do we need to do something about this, and will it get worse?”

A typical message from a Bulldog owner, shortened, with the name changed.

Dr. Kraemer’s reply

That is the most common way this gets found, and in a dog with no symptoms it is usually not a problem. Many bulldogs and French Bulldogs carry at least one vertebral malformation and only a few ever show pain or neurological signs. What decides it is whether a wedged vertebra is pressing on the spinal cord, and in this breed the spot to watch is around the eighth thoracic vertebra. Since he is seven months old, you are close to the useful milestone: once the vertebral growth plates fuse, at roughly 9 to 10 months, clinical signs generally plateau. So what I would do is watch, not worry. The things I would want to hear about are weakness in the back legs, a wobble through the hind end, muscle wasting on the hind limbs, or any loss of bladder or bowel control. If any of those appear, MRI or CT is how we confirm whether the malformation is actually the cause. In the meantime keep him lean, because weight control matters for every back problem, and joint, comfort and omega 3 support is sensible in a breed built like this. One thing to be clear about if you were considering breeding him: selecting for the screwtail also selects for hemivertebrae elsewhere in the spine, and those are the ones that compress cords.

Dr. Roy Kraemer, DVM

Vertebral Malformation in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs / CAUSE:

Vertebral Malformation is a congenital (born with) spinal condition. Most congenital malformations related to the bulldog spine are due to abnormal development or fusion of the primary ossification centers of their vertebra.

Bulldog’s and French bulldog’s vertebral malformations include:

Bulldog and French Bulldog Hemivertebrae
Bulldog Block Vertebrae
Bulldog Transitional Vertebrae
Bulldog and French Bulldog Spina Bifida

Vertebral malformations in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are frequently identified incidentally during routine radiographic examinations.

Although many bulldogs are diagnosed with at least one form of vertebral malformation, only a few will exhibit pain or clinical issues.

BULLDOG & FR BULLDOG WEDGE VERTEBRAE:

Bully vertebral malformations are due to abnormal development of their “vertebral body” that matures into a wedge-shaped body instead of the normal elongated vertebral body. Occasionally, this bulldog’s malformed, wedged vertebrae will compress the spinal cord. Depending on location and severity, the compressed spine could result in pain and a wide range of neurological problems.

BULLDOG & FR BULLDOG VERTEBRAL SCREW TAIL:

The corkscrew tail, common to English bulldogs, French bulldogs, and other brachycephalic breeds like Boston terriers, is also due to a vertebral malformation. Fortunately, the spinal cord ends before the tail begins. Thus, there are usually no neurological problems associated with bulldog tail malformation.

Nevertheless, Bulldog and French bulldog tail malformations (i.e., corkscrew) are often associated with bully tail skin folds and moist dermatitis.

This bully skin-fold condition can lead to an infected, painful tail that could be prevented and must be managed diligently with daily antiseptic & antifungal wipes like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Antiseptic Extra Large Medicated SkinFolds Wipes

BULLDOG AND FR BULLDOG VERTEBRAL WEDGE COMPRESSION:

The most common area for bulldog hemivertebrae malformations is around the 8th thoracic vertebrae (the upper back) and when the wedging starts compressing the spinal cord, the following signs can be observed and noted:

A weakness of the rear limbs
The wobbling of the hind end
Fecal incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Hind leg muscle atrophy

Dr. Kraemer’s Bulldog Vertebral Malformation RULE OF THUMB:

In most cases, once the vertebral body growth plates fuse, at about 9 to 10 months of age, any clinical signs associated with the condition should plateau.

Vertebral Malformation in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS:

Bulldog Back Disease BREEDING WARNING: Selective breeding for a bulldog or French bulldog screwtail hemivertebra can also be selected for hemivertebrae of other spinal vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, abdominal, and sacral). In contrast to the tail vertebrae, wedging of those other vertebrae can lead to a compressed spinal cord and the associated pain and neurological deficits. Bulldog Vertebral Malformation DIAGNOSIS WARNING : If your bulldog or French bulldog presents with neurological problems and pain associated with their back, additional testing with more advanced imaging (MRI and CT) might be required to confirm that they are related to the malformation. Tip DIAGNOSIS: Most of the time, the diagnosis of a bulldog or French bulldog hemivertebrae is an incidental finding.

Bulldog Vertebral Malformation PREVENTION &TREATMENT:

REST & CONFINEMENT: Acute cases can often benefit from and improve with rest and confinement. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Weight control is critical for all back problems.

BULLDOG BACK SUPPLEMENTS:

Natural pain relief, joint support, and anti-inflammatory supplements might help to prevent and manage bulldog back problems.

BULLDOG VERTEBRAL & BACK RX/STEROIDS:

Corticosteroid injections or NSAIDs might be recommended, as well as muscle relaxants.

Non-RX: cutting-edge, non-Rx modalities for pain management and healing are now available.

Stem Cell Therapy
PRP
Cold Laser Therapy
PEMF

In more severe cases, back decompression surgery might be required.

From Dr. Kraemer’s exam room

A bulldog-focused vet, hands-on for decades

Insider tip

The corkscrew tail is the part of this story owners never connect. It is not a quirk of the breed standard, it is a hemivertebra, and it is the visible end of the same developmental process that can wedge a vertebra in the middle of the back. The tail itself is harmless neurologically, because the spinal cord stops before the tail starts. What it is not harmless for is skin. A tight corkscrew makes a deep tail pocket, and that pocket turns into moist dermatitis and then an infected, painful tail. That one is entirely preventable with daily antiseptic wipes, and I see far more bulldogs suffering from the tail pocket than from the spine. And 9 to 10 months is the number to hold on to. Before growth plate fusion, signs can progress. After it, they usually settle. That single fact takes a lot of fear out of an incidental finding in a puppy.

Bulldog vertebral malformation: quick answers

What are the different malformations?

Four main ones in this breed: hemivertebrae, block vertebrae, transitional vertebrae, and spina bifida. All are congenital, meaning your bulldog was born with them, and all come from abnormal development or fusion of the primary ossification centres of the vertebrae.

Is a corkscrew tail the same condition?

Yes. The corkscrew tail seen in English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds is a vertebral malformation. Because the spinal cord ends before the tail begins, there are usually no neurological consequences. The real risk with a screwtail is skin: the tail fold traps moisture and becomes an infected, painful tail pocket unless it is managed daily.

Should I be worried if it was found by chance?

Usually not. Vertebral malformations are frequently identified incidentally on routine radiographs, and although many bulldogs are diagnosed with at least one, only a few will ever exhibit pain or clinical issues.

What is a wedge vertebra, and when does it matter?

Instead of maturing into a normal elongated vertebral body, the bone develops into a wedge shape. Occasionally a wedged vertebra compresses the spinal cord, and then the location and severity determine the pain and neurological signs. The most common site for hemivertebrae in bulldogs is around the eighth thoracic vertebra, in the upper back.

What signs would compression cause?

Weakness of the rear limbs, wobbling of the hind end, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, and muscle atrophy of the hind legs. Any of those in a bulldog with a known malformation is worth investigating promptly.

Will it get worse as he grows?

In most cases, once the vertebral body growth plates fuse at about 9 to 10 months of age, any clinical signs associated with the condition should plateau. That is the milestone worth knowing when a malformation turns up in a puppy.

How is it treated?

Acute cases often improve with rest and confinement. Weight control is critical for every back problem. Joint support, natural anti inflammatory and pain relief supplements help manage it. Corticosteroid injections, NSAIDs or muscle relaxants may be prescribed, and non drug options include stem cell therapy, PRP, cold laser and PEMF. In severe cases, decompression surgery may be required.

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For a spine that was built this way

A congenital malformation is not going to be undone by anything in a jar. What daily joint, comfort and omega 3 support does is manage the inflammation and pain around it and keep the muscle that stabilises a compromised back. Weight control does the rest, and it is free. Bundle & save

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Veterinary Care and Supportive Products

An incidental malformation in a bulldog with no symptoms usually needs watching rather than treating. Weakness, a hind end wobble, muscle wasting or any loss of bladder or bowel control changes that, and advanced imaging with MRI or CT is then how we confirm whether the malformation is genuinely the cause. No supplement reshapes a vertebra. What supplements do is manage pain and inflammation and support the muscle around a spine that was built at a disadvantage.

The Disc, Back and Nerve bundles

More Help from Dr. Kraemer

Related reading on bulldog backs and the conditions that look like this one:

About the Author

Roy Kraemer, DVM, is a veterinarian with extensive clinical experience caring for Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. His educational work emphasizes distinguishing incidental findings from clinical disease, responsible breeding, weight and mobility management, and knowing which signs warrant advanced imaging.

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References

Merck Veterinary Manual. Congenital and Inherited Anomalies of the Nervous System
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Hemivertebrae in Screw Tailed Breeds
WSAVA. Hereditary Disease Guidelines for Brachycephalic Breeds