Does your French Bulldog suffer from Arthritis?

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If you are a French bulldog owner and you like to play with your dog what if, one day you pull the leash and your dog hesitate to get up from the couch and show some signs of limping.

What is the first thing that comes into your mind? 

Possibly arthritis because one in five dogs suffer from arthritis in their lifetime.

Arthritis is defined as a disease-causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

This disease most often affects old-age dogs but the condition can develop from an early age following problems with bone and joint development.

If you want to know :

What is arthritis ?

What causes arthritis in your French bulldog?

And how you could treat your Frenchie with arthritis at home then this article is especially for you

What causes arthritis in French bulldogs?

Within a dog’s joints, bone surfaces are normally covered with a thin layer of very smooth cartilage, which is lubricated with a small amount of joint fluid that allows the two surfaces to slide freely over each other with the minimum amount of friction.

What causes arthritis in French bulldogs?

If your frenchie is suffering from arthritis than the cartilage inside the joint undergoes changes or damage, becoming less smooth and causing bone surfaces to rub.

This condition will cause discomfort to your dog, as well as damage to the cartilage. 

As a result of this increased friction, the new bone begins to form around the joint, which makes the joint more rigid, which further limits its movement, a condition known as degenerative joint disease.

This condition can affect any joint and cause arthritis, but it is more common in the knees, paws, hips, and spine.

Some certain other circumstances or conditions can cause arthritis, some of them are as follow:

Joint instability

Certain dogs are predisposed to a variety of joint instability problems that can lead to arthritis over time.

Hip Dysplasia  

As you know French Bulldogs are genetically prone to Hip Dysplasia.

In dogs, Hip Dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket in its most severe form; it can cause lameness and painful arthritis in the joints. 

Hip dysplasia is diagnosed through X-ray and can be treated through surgery.

Elbow Dysplasia 

Elbow dysplasia occurs due to multiple developmental abnormalities in the elbow joint. It usually starts at 6-9 months of age and is a primary lesion that gives rise to the osteoarthritis process.

Elbow dysplasia can be diagnosed through X-ray.

Patellar luxation

This disease is common in French bulldogs, this disease begins when the patella (knee cap), which moves up and down in a groove, leaves its place.

You will see that your dog is hooping on the affected leg. Patellar luxation often leads to arthritis.

Injury to ligaments

Damage to the ligaments is one of the common causes of arthritis. The most commonly affected ligament is the cranial cruciate ligament in the knee. Cranial ligament injury is often treated with surgery.

Cartilage injury 

Osteochondrosis is a common condition that affects the joints of young and fast-growing dogs. The surface of the joint (articular cartilage) does not turn into the bone in specific places.

The abnormal cartilage flap can detach from the surface of the joint and form what is called an “articular mouse.” that can lead to the lameness of the joint.

The most common cause of osteochondrosis is stress, reduced blood supply to affected area and trauma to the bone. The first signs appear as early as 4-8 months of age. Treatment often involves surgery that will remove excess cartilage.

Infection in joint

Arthritis is inflammation of joints and that inflammation is usually caused by an injury or a wound. An infection in the joint can damage the joint enough that it will cause arthritis. 

Bacteria are the main cause of arthritis and treatment is usually done by antibiotics.

Autoimmune diseases

There are many diseases in dogs such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and immune-mediated polyarthritis which can cause inflammation of joints. These diseases are caused by the overreaction of the immune system and they can affect more than one joint.

These diseases are usually treated with immune-suppressive drugs.

Signs of arthritis 

Common signs of arthritis in French bulldogs are

  • Lameness 
  • Reluctant to walk
  •  Slight Stiffness on rising/lying down
  • Yelping when touched
  • Mild swelling/heat in the joints
  • Reduction in muscle tone/bulk
  • Falls behind on walks
  •  Licking affected joints

How to treat French bulldog with arthritis at home 

Treatment of arthritis is pain-relieving medicines and surgeries. But if we talk about the home remedies here are certain things you can do to treat your French bulldog at home.

1. You can use certain herbs like Ligusticum ( a natural pain reliever) Corydalis ( relieve aches and discomfort) at home to treat arthritis.

2. Comfrey( (Symphytum officinale) ) is a natural herbal supplement that has been shown to provide natural pain relief linked with the joint injury.

Comfrey  Plant

Besides, comfrey also accelerates cell regeneration, making it an effective source of healing. These supplements, in particular, reduce inflammation and are excellent for pain associated with arthritis.

3. Give your dog a nutritionally sound diet, the joints and skeletal system of your French bulldog benefits from a good diet.

4.Use joint supplements, they are highly effective in relieving joint pains.

There are plenty to choose from in the market, but this natural joint pain relief contains homeopathic ingredients traditionally used to help relieve pain in dogs.

You can check out more detail on the official website here

5. Light activities such as walking and swimming help strengthen muscles, keep ligaments and tendons flexible, prevent obesity and circulate blood to stiff joints.

6. Swimming is especially great for dogs with arthritis because the water supports much of the bodyweight and inhibits sudden excessive movements. 

As you know, Frenchies are bad swimmer, they absolutely cannot swim,

So NEVER let them around water without a life vest and unattended.

7. Always give your dog the option of snuggling in a closed bed or stretching on a flat mattress. Memory foam beds for dogs are friendly to the joints

8. Cover the entire slippery floor in your house, use rugs, carpets, and anti-slip mats in the house. If you can’t cover the whole house focus on the area that your dog uses the most.

Wrap up

Arthritis is often mild and sometimes it become chronic but being a dog owner you can help your Frenchie to overcome this condition.

If your dog is suffering from this disease condition give him proper treatment but if he is in senior age give him proper support.