Is Your Best Friend a French Bulldog?
Be Aware of 7 Neurological Disease Signs and Symptoms
In 2021, the American Kennel Club listed the French Bulldog as the second most popular dog in the United States.[1] This fun and lovable breed gained four spots on that list in under just ten years! The French Bulldog’s popularity has no doubt soared in recent years.
With the number of French Bulldog owners on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand the most common illnesses and diseases affecting their best friends. A 2017 survey showed that out of 533 French Bulldogs, about 45% were afflicted with a neurological disorder.[2] This large percentage makes it clear nervous system disorders can threaten your pet’s health.
Fortunately, signs and symptoms of neurological disease in French Bulldogs are easy to see. And like in humans, if the condition is caught early, the chance of recovery and healing increases.
With the help of advanced diagnostic imaging for dogs at Sage Veterinary Imaging, an accurate diagnosis and support are within reach. Our team of vets has put together this article on what neurological disease in French Bulldogs is and how to diagnose and treat it.
What is a neurological disease in dogs?
The word ‘neuro’ comes from the ancient Greek language. It translates to ‘nerve’ or ‘nerves’ and refers to the body’s nervous system.
Neurological disorders in dogs affect the brain and spinal cord. These two areas of your dog are called the Central Nervous System (CNS). Neurological disease affects every nerve in the body as well. This third area is known as the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The nervous system as a whole affects daily activities, movement, and muscle coordination.
If your dog has a neurological disease or disorder, the brain has trouble sending the right messages to your pet’s entire body. Coordination between the brain and spinal cord is negatively affected.
As you can imagine, life for a dog with a neurological disorder is challenging. As a pet owner, we understand you want your pet to live a happy, pain-free life. With recent advances in technology, your dog with neurological disease can still live an enjoyable life with the help of specialized veterinary care.
Most Common Neurological Diseases in French Bulldogs Dogs
There are several neurological diseases in dogs, but French Bulldogs are most affected by Inverterabal Disc Disease (IVDD). French Bulldogs commonly have a specific type of this disease called Inveterabral Disc Herniation (IVDH). The median age of French Bulldogs affected by IDVH is about four years old.[2]
IVDD happens when the cushioning between your dog’s spinal discs degenerates. This cushioning is needed to keep your dog’s spinal cord moving and functioning properly and without pain.
Another common neurological disease affecting French Bulldogs is degenerative myelopathy. This disease also affects the spine and causes weak hind legs and poor nerve function. It appears in French Bulldogs more frequently than other breeds.[3]
Several other neurological conditions affect dogs, including:
Stroke
Meningitis
Encephalitis
Epilepsy
Cancer
Spinal or brain trauma
Peripheral nerve diseases[4]
Each disease has different symptoms and some overlap. Each disease also has a different treatment plan. Your vet and specialized care team will determine how serious the problem is and how likely recovery is.
7 Signs and Symptoms of Neurological Disease in French Bulldogs
The nervous system is a vast network of nerves in the body, running from your head to your toes. Because it is so interconnected with our brain and decision-making, the signs and symptoms of neurological disease in dogs show up differently.
The seven most common symptoms are:
Abnormal walking, paralysis, and/or unexplained muscle weakness
Head tilting or leaning
Pain along the neck or back
Loss of balance
Unusual eye movement
Confusion or getting lost in familiar places
Seizures
Each symptom greatly reduces your pet’s ability to take care of its daily functions, like eating, using the bathroom, or cleaning itself. Because symptoms are easy to spot, you want to get your pet to their doctor as soon as any of the above symptoms appear.
How to Diagnose Neurological Disease in French Bulldogs
Sage Veterinary Imaging is an outpatient diagnostic imaging center for pets. Our staff of radiologists and neurologists work with your vet to get better answers. And better answers means better treatment plans for your dog with neurological disease.
Our advanced neurology services include:
A detailed consultation with you, your pet, and one of our neurologists focusing on symptoms affecting the spine, neck, muscles, or brain
3T MRI and 128-slice CT
Spinal cord and ventral slot decompression
Craniotomy
Muscle and peripheral nerve biopsy
Video otoscopy
CSF fluid collection and analysis
Onsite digital cytology
When you have access to these services at an outpatient diagnostic imaging center, you learn exactly where your pet’s pain is coming from, and how to move forward. A veterinary neurologist knows how severe a disease is and the best options to treat your pet.
There are tests that help your vet understand more about the underlying causes of your dog’s neurological issues. Testing gets you and your vet even closer to the root of the problem. Sometimes, testing isn’t necessary if your vet feels your dog can recover without it.
MRI and CT scans show your vet a detailed image of where the problem starts. This level of detail also helps determine if surgery is an option. If surgery is possible, a neurologist helps you and your pet from beginning to end, guiding you through post-operative care and rehabilitation.
How to Treat Neurological Disease in French Bulldogs
There’s no official rate for how often French Bulldogs recover from neurological disease. The chances of fully healing depend on what is causing the pain and where it is coming from.
Some diagnoses are more serious, like brain tumors and meningitis. Then there are other diagnoses with several different potential outcomes, some more complicated than others.
It’s not uncommon if symptoms resolve in a few days on their own, and yet in other cases, symptoms appear suddenly and become life-threatening, like seizures and epilepsy.
Fortunately, in our experience, we know that even the worst signs of neurological disease, like paralysis, can be completely reversed. Surgery, in the right instances, increases the likelihood of recovery. And in other cases, physical rehabilitation will be the best treatment option.
In the end, a positive outcome is more likely when your pet is seen by a veterinary neurologist. An exam with an expert will show right where the problem is and your best options as a pet owner.
Sage Veterinary Imaging is a Leader in MRI, CT, and Finding Answers For Your Pet
Sage Veterinary Imaging has been operating in Round Rock, Texas for 8 years. With a new location in Sandy, Utah, and more on the way, we are here to help get answers for your pet.
When your pet is acting differently and showing signs of distress, it may need a CT or MRI scan. The radiologists, surgeons, and veterinarians on our team can see more of your pet’s complete health profile - with twice the resolution and in half the time.
Ultimately, we aim to make the most informed decisions to help your pet. And we know you only want the best for your pet. For more information on where to find an MRI or CT scan for dogs in Texas or Utah, go to our Contact Us page to learn more.
References:
https://www.akc.org/most-popular-breeds/
https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-017-1132-2
https://parkwoodanimalhospital.com/client-resources/breed-info/french-bulldog/#:~:text=Degenerative%20Myelopathy%20is%20a%20neurologic,more%20frequently%20than%20other%20breeds
https://www.vscot.com/site/blog/2021/08/20/neurological-issues-in-pets
