Vet Shares Little-Known Medical Issue With French Bulldogs Pet Parents Should Be Aware Of
French Bulldogs are known for having some health issues centered around breathing and their respiratory system because they are brachycephalic (meaning their cute, short and squishy noses cause these issues). Veterinarian Dr. Molly Brinkmann shared a video on Tuesday, October 8th explaining a less-known major risk factor that many Frenchies are predisposed to called Intervertebral Disc Disease, or IVDD for short.
Dr. Molly goes on to say that symptoms include back pain, difficulty walking, and even sudden paralysis. She also explains what causes IVDD as well as symptoms to watch for. Listen in as she explains more about IVDD, and what to do if your Frenchie starts presenting any symptoms.
This is good information to know about IVDD! Anytime I write about dogs, I usually end the post saying to do your research to learn the good and the bad about a particular dog breed so you can make an informed decision before bringing one home. People bring home French Bulldogs because they're cute, not realizing that they have some very costly health issues that could present themselves later.
Dr. Molly's commenters were very thankful for the information. One commenter recommended, "I got pet insurance for my Frenchie at 3 months of age, and I’ve been so glad!" @MaryAnn Law shared, "Dr Molly you explained that perfectly! My Frenchie had surgery 3 years ago and is doing well. But it was very scary when it happened. Awareness is so important!" @Mel pointed out, "Did not know this! Thanks! I am a Doxie owner and have heard of it lots from fellow owners."
Health Issues with French Bulldogs
Frenchie's are the most popular dog breed around, and that automatically makes people want to bring one home. One commenter added after watching the video, "You mean it’s a Frenchie mix. Let’s be real, in vet med, we see very few Frenchies but a ton of Frenchie mixes." This is another reason to make sure you research a breed, and the person you are buying your new fur baby from.
Another Pet Helpful article shared other health issues that are often seen with Frenchies. Frenchies were bred to have those cute little smoochy faces, but this can lead to eye problems, "Their eyelids roll in, they have excessive tears that leak out on the face, have bulging eyes that pop out of the socket easily, and sometimes even have hair that grows into the eye."
Their teeth are also affected because of their "undershot" jaws, "The teeth do not match up, are crowded, and become infected easily. If the teeth are not brushed daily and other dental care methods are not used to take care of their mouths, they will definitely need surgery to clean beneath the gums and to remove excessive tartar."
If you are considering bringing home a French Bulldog, just know that while they may be cute, that cuteness may lead to costly medical issues down the road.
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