1                       2                       3                       4                       5                       6                       7                         8                       9              10
 

Musculoskeletal Issues
The material on this page is authored by Dorothy and Julian Prager
 

    Osteochondritis  --  This disease affects rapidly growing puppies between the ages of four and 12 months.  This defect in the cartilage covering the head of the long bones usually affects the shoulder joints.  The signs are gradual lameness and pain upon flexing the joint.  Confinement to reduce potential strain on the cartilage and encourage healing is the preferred treatment.  Pain pills should be avoided since it encourages the dog to be more active.  In severe cases, surgery can remove the damaged cartilage.

    Panosteitis  --  Panosteitis, also called "wandering lameness," occurs in puppies between five months and one year old.  The cause is unknown.  It exhibits itself by pain and lameness shifting from one location to another over time.  Since there is no known cause, treatment consists of pain relief.  Dogs tend to recover fully from mild cases on their own.  In severe cases, full muscle strength may never be regained.

    Hips  --  Bulldogs are a dysplastic breed.  The Bulldog Standard calls for the dog's movement to be ". . . peculiar, his gait being a loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise motion, giving the characteristic "roll".  The action must be, however, be unrestrained, free and vigorous."  Bulldog hip sockets are shallower and the head of the femur does not fits as well in the socket on average as in most other breeds.  It is this looseness that contributes to the characteristic roll seen in the breed.  However, a healthy bulldog should not be a cripple.  As the standard requires, the dog should be able to move vigorously and freely with being restrained by the peculiarity of his construction.

    Cruciate Ligament Problems  --  

    Patellar Dislocation  -- A dislocated kneecap can occur through injury or be inherited.  Pain in the stifle, difficulty straightening the knee, and a limp are signs of this problem.  Conditions created by injury may heal themselves if the dog gets enough rest.  Inherited problems can be treated by surgery.

    Vitamin Overdose  --  In an effort to encourage growth in a healthy puppy, some people feed vitamin supplements in addition to a fully balanced commercial dog food.  These dog foods supply all the nutrients your dog requires as long as your puppy eats well.  When you give your dog extra Vitamin D, calcium or phosphorus, his normal growth can be harmed.  Supplements may be needed for dogs who are poor eaters . Consult your Vet before giving your puppy supplements.

Back to Top of Page

Copyright © 2000 Resolute Bulldogs, except for the Bulldog Standard, AKC quoted regulations and other material and designs used with permission of the authors.  All rights are reserved.  Content may be reproduced, downloaded, disseminated, or transferred, for single use, or by nonprofit organizations for educational purposes, if correct attribution is made to the Bulldog Club of New Jersey or to the author attributed to the material.