Common French Bulldog Health Issues

The French Bulldog is a very popular companion dog. Notable characteristics are their flat, broad nose, upright ears, and their short, stocky body. This compact exterior has led to many health problems in the breed. Keep reading for more information on the most common hereditary disorders and health issues that your Frenchie may face.

The Brachycephalic Obstructive Syndrome (BOS)

Brachycephalic Obstructive Syndrome (BOS) is very common in short-nosed breed dogs like French Bulldogs.

Nature of the Problem

Brachycephaly breeds (breeds with a short skull) are deliberately bred for this form of the skull, which leads to growth restraint. This results in a shorter, wider skull. Breeding standards and breed standards make this a requirement for the appearance of the French Bulldog.

Brachycephalic obstructive syndrome (BOS) is a condition in which anatomical characteristics of short-snouted breeds lead to (partial) obstruction of the respiratory tract.

BOS occurs due to the following:

  • Stenotic nares (narrow nostrils)
  • A soft palate (the floppy part at the back of the throat)
  • Hypoplastic trachea (underdeveloped windpipe)
  • Everted laryngeal saccules (structures at the back of the throat)

Symptoms of BOS

Since the length of the soft palate has remained too long with the ever-shorter breeding of the muzzle, the too-long palate sometimes closes access to the windpipe. When inhaling and exhaling, the windpipe will then flutter back and forth. This results in several noticeable issues.

While sounds made by Frenchies, such as snoring and snorting, may sound ‘cute,’ but it isn’t a healthy trait and could be a sign of a serious issue. The symptoms occur because the soft palate can start to swell a bit due to a sore throat or forced breathing (because of exertion or heat). It is important to avoid long walks in warm weather.

Increased air resistance is created due to the issues caused by BOS. Air resistance, of course, makes breathing difficult. This can be compared to breathing through a straw. The increased air resistance and turbulence of the air cause swelling of the palate and larynx, the collapse of the throat tonsils, and collapse of the larynx (larynx). These effects can lead to life-threatening respiratory distress.

Now that you are aware of WHY symptoms occur and their seriousness, be aware of what these symptoms are:

  1. Snoring sounds (when awake and asleep)
  2. Extreme panting
  3. Drooling
  4. Coughing
  5. Exercise intolerance
  6. Overheating
  7. Fainting
  8. Difficulty eating/swallowing

These symptoms that occur in many short-haired breeds like your Frenchie can be seen as a signal that breathing is being made difficult. Of course, difficult breathing can cause anxiety in your pup as it would a human. You want to provide relief for your pup as soon as possible, I imagine, so be sure to make an appointment with your vet if you notice any of the above symptoms. Be sure to stay cautious of walk times when your Frenchie and be on the lookout for any of the above symptoms.

BOS is a progressive condition that can cause clinical symptoms that vary in severity. Your French Bulldog may show an increased effort to be able to breathe or show more extreme breathlessness, which could be life-threatening. This breathlessness is due to the closure of the airways.

Diagnosis of BOS

Symptoms occur in most dogs around the age of 2-3 years but can also start to be observed in puppies. The diagnosis can be made based on the clinical symptoms and examination of the head and airways, possibly supplemented with X-rays and/or a CT scan. BOS can only be remedied through a specialist and major operation.

The Brachycephalic Obstructive Syndrome occurs to a large extent in brachycephalic breeds, including the French Bulldog. Studies into the occurrence of BOS among the population of French Bulldogs in different countries show a varying prevalence, from 2.7% to 67.0%. Even though BOS is seen as the main problem for the well-being of the French Bulldogs population, many Frenchie owners don’t realize the severity of the symptoms or even realize it necessarily is a negative thing and don’t look into getting the issues diagnosed.

Many French Bulldog owners see the snoring and other symptoms of obstructed breathing as ‘normal’ therefore, they often do not report these to a veterinarian or insurance. Owners who buy a young French Bulldog have often had one before and consider the snoring sound cozy or fun (kind of like a cute little piglet). Be aware that this is not the case.

Treatment of BOS

BOS is one of the more severe French Bulldog health issues. It is important to treat BOS as early as possible to ensure your Frenchies safety. Surgery can be performed to treat stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules. While there is no surgery to correct hypoplastic tracheas, this issue can be improved with a fix of the others. A vet can assess your Frenching symptoms to help you determine the best route.

Intertrigo (Skinfold Dermatitis)

We all know how adorable Frenchies are, but there are more French Bulldog health issues to be aware of. Intertrigo (or skinfold dermatitis) is an inflammation of the skin caused by rubbing skin folds alongside each other due to excess skin.

Nature of the Problem

Wrinkles and skin folds are external characteristics of the French Bulldog, but they also guarantee health issues. Bacterial inflammation of the skin can easily occur between the skin folds due to the accumulation of moisture, such as tears, urine, or saliva. The fold formation can occur over the entire body or be limited to certain parts of the body, such as the nose, lips, around the eyes, or the tail.

Symptoms of Intertrigo

If you notice any of these symptoms, there is a chance that your Frenchie has Intertrigo:

  1. Red or reddish-brown rash
  2. Moistness
  3. Discharge
  4. Foul odor

Diagnosis of Intertrigo

The diagnosis of Intertrigo is very straightforward. Once a vet eliminates infectious causes of the symptoms, they will perform a cytology exam. To perform this, the vet will examine cell samples that may reveal microbial overgrowth. Lesions are not often biopsied. 

Treatment of Intertrigo

Although Intertrigo is not uncommon, there is no cure. However, relief for your Frenchie can be provided. The key is to resolve inflammation and control moisture. Mild cases can be treated by properly cleansing the area and keeping it dry. Sometimes cutting the hair will also help. Antibiotics, sometimes combined with steroids, are often prescribed to be given topically, orally, or by injection. In severe cases, surgery may be performed to remove the fold(s) causing skin friction.

Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is a deviation of the eye, or, to be more specific, a tear gland in the eye. The tear gland that is normally located behind the third eyelid is suddenly visible in the corner of your dog’s eye with a cherry eye. Cherry eye is a very common eye issue caused by swelling of the tear gland that is located behind the third eyelid. Because of the swelling, the tear gland suddenly becomes visible above the third eyelid.

Symptoms of Cherry Eye

Sometimes the swelling diminishes, and the tear gland drops back to its normal position behind the third eyelid. However, the swelling of the tear gland is usually so intense that it continuously protrudes above the third eyelid. Because the tear gland protrudes, the mucous membrane is constantly exposed to dehydration and dirt, which can cause inflammation.

Symptoms to be aware of are:

  1. Redness of eye
  2. Squinting
  3. Dry eyes
  4. Eye discharge
  5. Swollen eyes
  6. Abundant tear production

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cherry Eye

The diagnosis is quite simple as it’s easy for a vet to determine by noting the redness around the eye. The vet will examine the eyes to determine if symptoms are due to Cherry Eye. Once this is determined, there are treatment options.

The purpose of treating a cherry eye is to return the bulging tear gland to its normal position. In the first instance, under local anesthetic of the eye, the veterinarian may try to return the tear gland to its normal position. Unfortunately, the bulging tear gland can return within a few minutes to days.

The replacement of the tear gland in its normal position must then be done surgically. While there is also surgery to fix Cherry Eye, there is no surgery technique that is 100% effective. During this operation, the tear gland is placed in a ‘pocket’ behind the third eyelid, after which the ‘pocket’ is closed with stitches. Unfortunately, the tear gland can also swell and bulge again after this operation.

The bulging tear gland and the third eyelid are very important for eye protection. With that said, completely removing the tear gland (and the third eyelid) is not recommended.

Often an eye ointment is prescribed to protect the tear gland and the eye until the operation. Because inflammation is a consequence and not a cause of Cherry Eye with French bulldogs, treatment with an antibiotic eye ointment will not solve the cause of symptoms.

Other Eye Disorders: entropion, trichiasis, and corneal ulcers

Other eye disorders your Frenchie may suffer from are:

  1. Entropion: Entropion is the curling of one or both eyelids. As a result, the eyelashes constantly rub against the eye’s cornea. This also arises as a result of trichiasis.
  2. Trichiasis: Trichiasis is when the eyelashes face the eyeball without the presence of entropion. The French Bulldog also has nasal fold trichiasis, where the hair on the nasal fold touches the eyeball due to the short muzzle and excessive skin folds – breed characteristics that breeders seek. The eyeball is continuously irritated by the eyelashes or hair, causing tears, pinching of the eyes, and defects of the cornea.
  3. Corneal ulcers: Corneal ulcers and deep corneal damage can occur as a result of this chronic irritation of the cornea. Because of the large, round eyes, the eyes bulge slightly, and the eyelids are unable to close properly. Since the cornea is much more sensitive to dehydration and damage, this could lead to further problems.

Perineal Hernia

Perineal Hernias typically affects adult dogs (males more often than females) and is a condition in which the pelvic diaphragm becomes weak. As a result, the pelvic and abdominal organs are displaced. There is no known cause of hernias in dogs.

Symptoms of a Hernia

As with most French Bulldog health issues, a Hernia is often noticed due to several possible symptoms. These symptoms include:

  1. Constipation or straining when using the bathroom
  2. Visible struggle or inability to urinate
  3. Urinary inconsistency
  4. Abdominal pain
  5. Lethargy
  6. Lack of desire to eat
  7. Altered tail carriage (you could see drop out of one to all legs)

Pay attention! Sometimes the symptoms may seem minor and are not that clear. For example, a dog can only drag the nails over the floor or have difficulty eating due to pain in the neck when reaching for the bowl.

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Hernia

A thorough physical examination with a neurological examination by the vet is necessary to be able to diagnose a hernia. To make a definitive diagnosis and exclude other causes, it is advisable to take an X-ray in case of a hernia. In a number of cases, the X-ray image does not provide a definitive answer. In that case, contrast photos can offer a solution, but it is better for your French bulldog to have a CT scan made.

Once diagnosed, it is crucial for your Frenchie to have absolute rest for 6 weeks. This means your pet should truly be confined to their bed or crate (a crate could be necessary to keep them from walking around and jumping on furniture). Only make trips outside for potty trips. Complete rest for 6 weeks can lead to a full recovery in many cases.

Important Tip: As difficult as it can be not to allow your pup to act like normal, don’t be swayed to give your dog freedom from their strict rest. Even if your Frenchie seems to be better after a few days of rest, the intervertebral disc really needs the 6-week rest to recover properly, even if symptoms seemed to be relieved sooner. Returning your dog’s freedom of movement earlier can lead to a renewed and more severe hernia.

Other treatments for a hernia depend on the severity of the symptoms. Contrary to what many people think, operating a hernia immediately is not always necessary. Six weeks of rest prior to a decision to perform surgery is not a bad idea. Of course, if symptoms increase during the rest period, surgery may be required.

Other treatments are:

  1. Corticosteroids and painkillers: Although the effect is increasingly being questioned, the administration of fast-acting corticosteroids is still a widely used medication. In milder cases, painkillers are often prescribed.
  2. Neck and back support and relief: There are accessories that are useful in the treatment of hernias because they relieve your dog’s neck or back in various situations. Even when your dog has recovered from a hernia, it is important to relieve the neck or back to reduce the chance of a new hernia.

Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy)

Some French Bulldog health issues are due to an allergy, more on that here. Environmental allergies can cause Atopic Dermatitis, or atopy, and are usually seen in young dogs. The allergens from the substances that cause Atopy usually enter the body via inhalation of grass or tree pollen and house dust mites. Atopy can be compared to hay fever in humans. Skin problems are a major factor in French bulldog health issues.

Symptoms of Atopy

Even though Atopy can be seasonal due to things like an allergy to pollen, which is only in the air during certain months, symptoms can occur throughout the year. Other causes, such as dust mites) are permanently present.

Atopy usually manifests itself in itching. Itching typically occurs on the head, armpits, groin, and legs. Redness and baldness can also occur around the eyes and muzzle. Brown discoloration of the coat can happen due to licking and biting. Due to chronic irritation caused by scratching and biting, black discoloration and thickening of the skin can also become visible. Sometimes the only complaint seen with Atopy is having a recurring ear infection that responds temporarily to treatment with ear ointment. These ear ointments contain anti-itch medication, which temporarily relieves the symptoms. However, the underlying problem is not resolved, and complaints return after the ointment is stopped. It is thought that around 90% of dogs with recurring ear problems have atopy or food hypersensitivity as the underlying cause.

Diagnosis of Atopy

Skin disorders are complex and can have multiple causes. The veterinarian usually carries out several tests to determine the underlying causes. First, the vet will rule out other causes of skin problems, such as fleas. A fungal test is often carried out to exclude the presence of skin fungi. If none of these problems arise, it must be determined whether your Frenchie may be allergic to something in the diet. For this, your Frenchie must be fed for at least six weeks with a so-called elimination diet. This diet consists of one carbohydrate source and one protein source that did not occur in the normal diet. This minimizes the chance of an allergic reaction. If the elimination diet does not improve, there is a good chance that the cause is Atopy. More specialized research is needed to find out which substance causes the atopic reaction, also known as an allergen.

Treatment for Atopy

Multiple treatment options are possible with medication. These treatments do not cure the condition but help suppress the allergy symptoms. A substance that is used for this is Cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is a substance that suppresses the allergy reaction in the skin. The immune cells are disrupted in the event of Atopy. By reducing their activity, the skin’s symptoms of itching and inflammation can be reduced. Good results are generally achieved with the help of this medication. The substance is safe, and few side effects are seen. The disadvantage is that the therapy is quite expensive and must be continued for life.

A more cost-effective option is to use corticosteroids to control itching and inflammation. This treatment is generally very effective because corticosteroids reduce the activity of the entire immune system. Corticosteroids can cause side effects such as urination and drinking, increased appetite, thinner skin, and diabetes with prolonged use. Unfortunately, corticosteroids sometimes offer the only solution. The veterinarian tries to prescribe the lowest possible dosage that is effective with as few side effects as possible.

Because constant scratching damages the skin, the skin’s defenses are also seriously affected, and so-called ‘secondary infections’ are often observed. These are caused by bacteria or yeasts that are normally on the skin and usually cause no problems. Due to the decreased skin defenses, these bacteria and yeasts strike and cause skin infections. These infections can aggravate inflammation and itching as a result of the allergy. Your veterinarian often prescribes antibiotics and medicinal shampoo to treat these infections.

A Frenchie with Atopy places higher demands on nutrients because the skin’s recovery requires a lot of energy and nutrients. Special diet foods help reduce symptoms, support recovery, and play an important role in treating skin conditions.

Luxating Patella

Another French Bulldog health issue is Luxating Patella or Patellar Luxation. The kneecap or patella is normally located in a cartilage slot on the lower part of the upper leg. In the case of a Luxating Patella, the kneecap moves from its place (in or out). The kneecap has an important function in the mechanism of the knee bend. This function is lost when the kneecap is luxed. As a result, the dog can no longer lean well on this leg.

Knee-disc luxation can occur on one leg, but we often see it on opposite sides. While it can be seen in young French bulldogs from about 8 weeks old, we often see problems later in life. In principle, Luxating Patella can occur in all breeds. However, we often see it with small dog breeds, so your Frenchie is more prone to getting it. 

The fact that Luxating Patella is a complex problem is clear from the different classifications in which this condition is subdivided.

Subdivision in Appearance

  • Medial luxation (luxation inwards) for mini, small and large dog breeds.
  • Lateral luxation (outwards) with mini and small dog breeds
  • Lateral luxation (outwards) with large dog breeds

Subdivision According to Cause

  • Heredity – Genetically determined anatomical abnormalities cause the luxating patella. For example, the tibia (the piece of bone to which the knee tendon is attached) can be placed too much inside, forcing the kneecap outside the cartilage slot.
  • Traumatic – Due to an accident, one or more straps can tear off that normally keep the kneecap in place
  • Physical Abnormalities – Other conditions can cause the kneecap to loosen up in the cartilage slot. Cushing’s disease is an example of this. Due to the sagging of the tendons and muscles, the kneecap is no longer held tight enough in the slot.

Subdivision in the Severity of Luxation

Luxating Patella can occur in different degrees, from very occasionally to permanently in the wrong place. We make the following subdivision herein;

  • Degree 1 – The kneecap can be luxating with a stretched leg to move the kneecap by hand. When the leg is back in the normal position, the kneecap shifts back automatically.
  • Degree 2 – Hereby, the patella misses regularly and then stays in a luxated position for a shorter or longer time. Some dogs “place” the kneecap itself back by stretching the leg backward. By regularly shifting the kneecap in and out, cartilage formalities, osteoarthritis, and cartilage trench flattening occur.
  • Degree 3 – The kneecap is permanently luxated. When the kneecap is put back in the right position, it pops out again. The cartilage slot is shallow or even flattened. The leg is loaded but is often in a bent position.
  • Degree 4 – The kneecap is permanently luxated, and the cartilage slot is flattened or sloping. Dogs keep their paw up, or with mutual luxation, they walk extremely wide-legged.

Symptoms of Luxating Patella

Symptoms of the luxating patella can vary from very occasional pulling up the relevant leg to the permanent abnormal position of the leg where the French bulldog walks with their knees out. When the kneecap returns to the right position, the problems are gone immediately.

With medial luxating patella, we can generally distinguish three groups;

  • Newborns and puppies – Problems of abnormal use of one or both hind legs from the time they actually start walking.
  • Young to adult dogs – These Frenchies often always have a somewhat different walk, but this can worsen slowly. These cases often have grade 2 or 3 luxating patella.
  • Older Frenchies – Older Frenchies with grade 1 or 2 luxating patella often have minor daily symptoms. We often see sudden lameness and pain in these animals due to exacerbation of luxation and/or the increase in osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis of Luxating Patella

The diagnosis is made based on your Frenchie’s history and the examination in which a special handle is used to see whether the kneecap can be luxed. Sometimes, it is better to do this test under light sedation.

Taking X-rays is not immediately necessary for diagnosis but does exclude other causes and can provide information about the prognosis and the choice of treatment method.

Treatment of Luxating Patella

The treatment of the Luxating Patella depends on the degree and the cause of the luxation.

Degree 1 Luxating Patella is often not treated because the symptoms are so minor. Yet it is very likely that, due to the regular luxations, a painful joint will develop. Moreover, this can cause bone abnormalities, which means that the luxation could get worse.

The other degrees of luxating patella could be eligible for surgery.

Epilepsy in French Bulldogs

Epilepsy is a disease in which certain attacks occur. Attacks arise because the function of the brain cells is disturbed. The nervous system, which the brain is a part of, can be compared to a network of electrical cables that conduct electricity. The brain cells generate, transmit, and receive electrical signals. With an epileptic seizure, there is a brief derailment of the electrical signals in the brain cells. Usually, the attacks come with a certain regularity, on average, once a month.

Epilepsy in French bulldogs is a regularly occurring disorder and is one of the fairly common French bulldog health issues. Epilepsy is the repeated occurrence of seizures and comes in a primary and secondary forms. The epileptic seizures vary per dog.

Witnessing an epileptic seizure in dogs can be just as frightening as seeing them occur in humans. It’s important to try to keep calm (definitely easier said than done, of course) and let your dog handle the seizure on their own to ensure that your pup does not injure itself and others. Clear the space around them and, if possible, take a video for your vet to see. It is also important to keep track of the duration of the attack on the clock. Usually, an attack only takes a few minutes.

Does the attack last longer than 10 minutes, or do attacks follow each other quickly? Then call the vet immediately. In this case, the attack does not stop automatically and must, therefore, be stopped by the vet.

There are two types of epilepsy: primary epilepsy and secondary epilepsy. There is often no cause for primary epilepsy. With secondary epilepsy, there is often a specific cause for the attacks.

Primary Epilepsy

There is usually no cause for primary epilepsy. The diagnosis is made by excluding other causes. This form of epilepsy usually develops between the ages of 6 months and 5 years (with an average of 3 years).

Secondary Epilepsy

Secondary epilepsy usually occurs in French bulldogs less than 6 months of age or older than 5 years. With this form, there is a precise cause to be found. Sometimes it can be congenital, sometimes, it is caused by infections, poisoning, tumors, or abnormalities in the blood vessels.

The most common causes are liver shunt or hepatitis, a low blood sugar level, or meningitis.

  • Liver Shunt – A liver shunt is a congenital defect in which the blood vessels are not properly laid out, affecting mostly young French bulldogs. The liver cannot purify the toxins from the blood, leaving ammonia in the blood, among other things. Ammonia can cause epileptic seizures but also behavioral changes and aggression. In older dogs, epilepsy can be caused by acute hepatitis.
  • Low Blood Sugar – Too low a blood sugar level is sometimes referred to as hypoglycemia and sometimes occurs in puppies. The proliferation of pancreatic gland cells (insulinoma) produces insulin, causing your dog to have an insufficient blood sugar level. Because the brain receives too little “food”, seizures can occur.
  • Meningitis – Meningitis is a progressive disease. Epileptic seizures can occur. Especially with infectious inflammation, epileptic seizures can be the only clear symptom.

Types of Seizures

Epilepsy can occur in various types of seizures. There are three types of epileptic seizures: partial, generalized, and atypical (very rare).

Partial Seizures

Partial epileptic seizures begin locally and may extend to a generalized seizure (Jacksonian epilepsy). A partial attack is expressed locally: shaking with an ear, with a leg or blinking with an eye. In addition to Jacksonian epilepsy, there is a psychomotor seizure. The French bulldog then runs after its own tail or tries to catch imaginary flies.

Generalized Attack

The generalized attack is also called ‘Grand mal’. This attack consists of three phases:

  • Phase 1: Prodrome
  • Phase 2: Ictus
  • Phase 3: Post-ictal phase

Prior to the attack, the dog may exhibit abnormal behavior or have a weird look in its eyes. This stage can take a few seconds and sometimes a few days.

The next phase is the real attack; the dog falls over and loses consciousness. This phase is characterized by the fact that stiffening is alternated with relaxation. Cramps can occur accompanied by violent movements with the legs. During such an attack, the dog often loses urine or feces.

When the dog regains consciousness in phase 3, he is often ‘lost’. He has poor eyesight, doesn’t walk straight, and can be hungry and thirsty. Just like phase 1, this phase can take a very short time and a few days. It is important to approach your Frenchie calmly during that period. It may be that he does not recognize you or know where he is.

  • Multiple attacks in one day – The dog may have multiple attacks in a day, with an interval ranging from a few minutes to a few hours. The dog can recover sufficiently between the attacks, but it is still important to call in the vet. The attacks must be interrupted to ensure that it stops.
  • The attack lasts all day – However, it can also happen that an attack continues throughout the day, and there are no clear resting phases for the dog. In that case, it is important to call in a veterinarian as soon as possible. This attack is life-threatening and must be treated by the vet.

Diagnosis of Epilepsy

It is difficult to determine the diagnosis of epilepsy. It is therefore determined by excluding other causes for these attacks through various investigations. While seeing a seizure is far from pleasant, it typically passes quickly. If your Frenchie has a first attack, you can wait to see if there is a second attack.

If a second attack occurs, it is wise to call your vet. They will likely want you to come in for a blood test. The vet will examine the most important functions (liver, kidneys, and thyroid). If the blood test shows no abnormalities, the vet will look further. The veterinarian looks at certain circumstances, such as the type of attack and the age of your Frenchie. Based on this, a possible follow-up investigation is recommended (typically a scan). If your dog meets the characteristics of epilepsy, the correct treatment will be determined.

Treatment for Epilepsy

Secondary epilepsy has a multitude of causes and, therefore, many treatments. The correct treatment lies in resolving the causes of the attacks. The vet will prescribe a suitable treatment for your dog.

Sometimes, in the case of primary epilepsy, no cause can be found, and treatment is preventing the attacks.

If your Frenchie has more than 1 seizure a month, or if the seizures are very severe, medication treatment will be initiated. This will often be phenobarbital. The dosage of the medication is determined according to your French Bulldog’s weight. How he responds to the medication must also be taken into account. Some dogs need more or less of the medication than other dogs of the same weight. Because of this, it is important to maintain close contact with your veterinarian in the initial stage of providing medication.

Sometimes French Bulldogs may not respond well to phenobarbital. Your pup can become hyperactive, appear to be acting ‘off,’ or the epileptic attacks return more violently. If this is the case, contact your veterinarian immediately. The Veterinarian can test whether the blood dose is correct or may prescribe another medication.

Every drug has advantages, disadvantages, and side effects. The drug your French Bulldog should use will be determined by the vet. Consult the veterinarian if you see him suffer a lot from certain side effects.

Important Things to Know About Epilepsy

  • If your Frenchie shows strange (spastic) movements, if he has a strange look in his or her eyes, or if you suspect that he has (had) an epileptic attack, always contact your veterinarian.
  • Changing, forgetting, outbreaking, or stopping drugs can also cause seizures. Always consult the veterinarian with every change.
  • Shampoos, flea, and tick control agents can trigger attacks. Again, consult your vet.
  • If your Frenchie has more attacks during the heat, there could be an option to sterilize or neuter.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know a bit more about the most common French Bulldog health issues. It may seem like a lot, but as we know, living beings can come with flaws. The good news is that aside from possible issues here and there, Frenchies are still one of the sweetest and cuddliest dogs. Possible ailments aren’t to say your Frenchie won’t live a long, healthy, and happy life.

Do remember that just like with people, a doctor knows best. A vet can provide you with any assistance you need when it comes to French Bulldog health issues. Vet bills can seem daunting, so remember that health insurance for your pup is an important step to take as a pet owner. Read more about health insurance for your pet here.