Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Mesocephaly: mesocephalic dog breeds have a medium sized head with intermediate characteristics between the above two head shapes. They may or may not have a marked stop. Pointers, Beagles, Fox Terriers and similar breeds have skull shapes of this type. In most cases, once the vertebral body growth plates fuse, at about 9-10 months of age, any clinical signs associated with the condition should plateau. Vertebral Malformation in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TIPS & WARNINGS: Let your French Bulldog fully grow before getting neuter or spay. Assume done at an early age, the danger in IVDD, hip dysplasia, bone cancer, and obesity is probable. Final thoughts
A similarity in dog anatomy is that all dog breeds have the same amount and type of teeth, even if their bite shape varies. Some dog's teeth clamp together when they close their mouth with their incisors rubbing together. Others have a scissor type bite where the inner edge of the upper incisors rub against the outer edge of the lower incisors. Additionally, there are dogs with proganthism. This is a condition where the lower jaw protrudes out from the upper one. This is very typical of breeds such as the Boxer or French Bulldog. Finally, when the upper incisors protrude past the lower incisors, we refer to enognatism. This is always considered a defect in a dog and is not linked to any particular breed. As with other parts of a dog's anatomy, the eyes and ears also differ greatly between breeds. Some dog ears are pointed, rounded, erect, fallen, droopy, etc. Eyes also have different shapes such as rounded, oval or triangular. The position on the face differs between individuals as some may be more centrally placed, others deep set and some may even protrude i a bulging manner. The French bulldog tail is also susceptible to sunburn and other genetic conditions. And if the tails are white, they are more prone to sunburn and other problems. Like other animals, these Frenchies love the outdoors and the sun and when they stay out too long under the sun, these short Frenchie tails can get sun damage. To prevent sun damage, keep your French bulldogs indoors and avoid letting them out in the sun especially during the noon hours. You can use a mild kid’s sunscreen containing zinc oxide on your bulldog before going out in the sun. Or you can consult the veterinarian for any skin queries regarding your Frenchie tail skin. Degenerative myelopathy may be a nervus spinalis disease that creates your Frenchie experience trouble moving their hind legs. Eventually, they’re going to strive to regulate their bowels. Your pet might begin to lose muscle mass and start having problems standing. Within the end, your lovable Frenchie will become paralyzed.However, if the compression is more significant, surgery solves this. The procedure is called hemilaminectomy, where the material of the disc pressing against the spinal cord will remove. This procedure will stabilize the spine. Abnormal clitoral development can manifest as clitoral enlargement, also called clitoral hypertrophy, and/or development of a bony structure within the clitoris referred to as the os clitoris ( 13). One study suggested the presence of an os clitoris may be a variation of normal, but diagnosis of os clitoris was made on radiographic evaluation only, with no information provided about gonadal tissue ( 14). An enlarged clitoris, particularly one containing an os clitoris, may protrude from the vulvar labia resulting in exposure and irritation, self-trauma, and vulvar discharge ( 1, 2, 5). Other clinical signs may include vaginal discharge that can range from mucopurulent to sero-sanguinous ( 13). This is a variation of the natural brindle markings you see on Frenchies. However, the tiger brindle pattern shows much more defined stripes. Regular brindle is more of a muddled mixture. LeCouteur R and Grandy J (2000) Diseases of the spinal cord. In Ettinger S and Feldman E (Eds) Textbook of veterinary internal medicine. 5th Ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company
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 moist dermatitis. Paralysed dogs have long-term care needs which many owners find difficult and some dogs will be euthanized because of this. It is an ethical dilemma whether these permanently paralysed dogs should be euthanized or if their quality of life may be sufficient to justify supported living with paralysis and incontinence. Merle is a pattern that is quite desirable in French Bulldogs today. However, as stunning as this pattern is, it isn’t a breed-acceptable color. It is considered a “new” color and the AKC does not recognize them. This is likely because Frenchies do not carry this gene, which means that a dog who does was mixed into the breeding at some point.
If you found this information useful please donate to help us keep it up to date Donate now 10. References The procedures include creating a small window in the bone around the spinal cord to obtain access to the disk material. When the materials are gone, the medulla spinalis will relieve from compression and allows it to heal. It seems the more exotic the colors become, the more people love them. But which colors are truly acceptable for the breed? Are there any negatives associated with these variations? Let’s find out. In severely affected individuals the only hope is major surgery of the spine to attempt stabilisation and to stop the spinal cord being compressed. This is not straightforward, needs specialist veterinary treatment and may not always be successful. Some dogs which are completely paralysed in their hind legs may not recover use of them after surgery. Frenchies are very trainable, but sometimes stubborn and do not cooperate, hence giving them rewards and positive reinforcement are important. Moreover, if you have little children, constantly keep an eye on the interaction between the dog and the kids. While French Bulldogs are generally friendly with youngsters, interactions should be supervised to avoid any inadvertent damage.
The presence of hemivertebrae seen on x-rays may also be a confusing finding. Older French bulldogs may have spinal disease from other causes and detection of hemivertebrae may make diagnosis of the real cause difficult. Hemivertebrae can be detected through X-rays and is often diagnosed early in a dog’s life, as it is a congenital condition. If diagnosed, treatment options and management strategies can be discussed with a veterinarian, depending on the severity of the condition and its impact on the dog’s quality of life.
Featured Facts
However, if you don’t like it when your pets get too clingy, be wary because they sometimes get jealous of their owners especially when their owners pay attention to other dogs. If at all possible, do not leave your dog alone for long periods of time. If the dog is alone during the day, make sure you spend a lot of quality time with him in the evenings. Identification of the urethral papilla and subsequent urethral catheterization is highly recommended before surgical removal of the os clitoris to prevent inadvertent urethral trauma ( 1, 13). Genital malformations that can coincide with the presence of an os clitoris may cause derangements of normal urethral anatomy, including the urethra coursing through the hypertrophied clitoris ( 5). An episiotomy, which may help to facilitate visualization of the urethral papilla, was not deemed necessary to assist with resection of the os clitoris for most of the dogs in this study. One dog in this case series underwent episiotomy to reduce the size of the vulva, which may become enlarged due to the enlarged clitoris and associated os clitoris. Reduction of vulvar size may help to reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections by decreasing environmental exposure to the vestibule. In dogs with a DSD, the vulva may be more ventrally located secondary to masculinization ( 2). Some individuals may require additional anatomic correction, such as an episioplasty for a recessed vulva. Currently no advice can be given on how to ensure a healthy individual, free from the condition, is not a carrier. This may become clearer when the genetics of the condition are better understood. A hypertrophied clitoris containing an os clitoris may be congenital, related to DSD, or acquired, secondary to hyperadrenocorticism or exposure to exogenous androgens ( 5, 13, 16). In this study, the DSD seen in 4 dogs with the presence of testes, uterine tissue, and a female phenotype suggests a congenital abnormality consistent with a male pseudohermaphrodite. The 1 dog determined to have a hypoplastic uterus with ovaries had a history of exposure to testosterone gel. This dog’s exposure to testosterone gel may have played a role in development of an os clitoris. A definitive diagnosis of a DSD in this group of dogs would require genetic testing to determine chromosomal sex, which was not performed.
The condition usually first manifests in young growing dogs and worsens as growth proceeds. In a case study by Jeffery et al (2007), all three dogs described were less than 7 months of age. Though some may be mildly affected, all affected animals will have permanent deformity unless surgical intervention is used. The disease problems can develop rapidly over hours or more gradually. Though some dogs with hemivertebrae do not develop signs, others develop severe problems which will not improve unless surgical intervention occurs. Some dogs with severe signs may not improve after surgery and may need to be euthanized.
Site Customisation
Figure 5. Hemivertebrae is the cause of kinked or screw tails in some breeds of dog, such as the Boston Terrier and Pug (shown here). This condition makes them prone to developing hemivertebrae elsewhere in the spinal column also. (Image sourced from Wikipedia at www.wikipedia.org/Pug ). Figure 4. Radiograph of a hemivertebra in the thoracic region of a Pug. The wedge shaped vertebra has caused lordosis of the spine, which in turn can cause compression and damage to the spinal cord. (Image property of Helen McDonald, to whom we are grateful for permission to reproduce it here).
Great Deal 
New Comment