The Prevalence of Spinal Disease in the French Bulldog
摘要
In the context of sustainable veterinary practices, understanding and addressing health issues in companion animals are essential for ensuring their welfare and enhancing the overall health of the ecosystem. In veterinary practice, the term “intervertebral disc disease” is frequently used. Intervertebral disc extrusion is the primary cause of spinal cord injury in chondrodystrophic dog breeds. This study presents the results of a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of intervertebral disc diseases and neurological disorders in French Bulldogs over a three-year period. During this period, 238 pet owners visited the veterinary clinic with their animals. 20.2% owners required consultation with a neurologist due to various neurological disorders of varying severity and location. Diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging, radiography, and myelography revealed intervertebral disc pathologies in 48 cases, with intervertebral disc extrusion diagnosed in 28 cases. Intervertebral disc extrusion was twice as common in males as in females. Middle-aged dogs are more susceptible to intervertebral disc diseases. In French Bulldogs, intervertebral disc diseases can occur as early as two years of age, with the peak incidence occurring at four years of age. French Bulldogs are less likely to develop diseases affecting the lower motor neurons of the intervertebral discs in the thoracic region. Discs diseases affecting the upper motor neuron in the thoracic region are more common than those affecting other parts of the nervous system. First-degree neurological deficits are more prevalent among French Bulldogs, while fifth-degree neurological deficits are rare and are accompanied by a lack of deep pain sensitivity.