Spina Bifida And Hemivertebrae
These two conditions - spina bifida and hemivertebrae - seem to be hereditary, so you should use due diligence when buying an English Bulldog puppy. Reputable breeders will not breed from animals that have either of these skeletal problems in their family history.
What is Spina Bifida?
When the embryo of the puppy is developing in its mother's womb the spine and spinal cord doesn't form properly. The case that the spinal cord runs through has a gap. A cleft forms which then deforms the spinal column. This gap can be clearly seen in the photo.
In some cases you won't even know that your pet has it until it's x-rayed for something else.
It often causes paralysis of the hind legs. In more severe cases you will notice that the puppy has problems with walking. In this case, because the spinal cord is malformed, there is little that can be done except to keep the animal clean and comfortable.
In severe cases the dog may be incontinent and suffer from Urinary Tract Infections. Some owners, like the one in this video, use diapers to keep a control on the clearing up that they have to do.
It WILL cost you money in vets bills to care for the dog. Some owners advise having a savings account especially for the vet bills. For English Bulldogs this is a particularly good idea as they are more prone to health problems than some other breeds.
Winston's Words of Wisdom
Medical Jargon
Here are some of the medical names and terminology used to explain Spina Bifida and Hemivertebrae:
- Vertebrae. One of the series of small hollow bones that forms the backbone. The spinal cord passes through the central hole.
- Cleft. A deep division between two parts of the body.
- Meninges. The three strong membranes that enclose the spinal cord.
- Spinal Cord. An important part of the central nervous system that is enclosed inside the spinal column and connects the brain to nearly every part of the body.
Hemivertebrae
IMPORTANT NOTE:
We are NOT vets. These pages are for information only. If you have ANY concerns about your pet's health conditions you should take them to the local veterinarian for examination and treatment.
Other Health Conditions
Brachycephalic SyndromeCherry Eye
Deafness
Dermatitis
Food Allergy
Mesothelioma
Red Mange (Dermodex)
Patella Luxation
Skeletal Problems
Tear Staining
This is another skeletal problem. It is a malformation of the vertebrae. The bones in the spinal column are misshaped, which in turn pushes the spine out of alignment.
It may or may not be inherited, no one is quite sure.
It doesn't always cause the dog a problem unless it's compressing (or squashing) the spinal cord, in which case it will hurt. It will usually need surgery to repair it.
If there is no spinal compression then it can be left untreated.
Hemivertebrae are most common in the tail, which doesn't affect the dog because the spinal cord stops before then.
Signs are similar to spina bifida and include weakness in the back legs, incontinence and pain.
In this case, surgery can help to relieve the problem but it's not cheap, costing between $1000 and $3000 depending on the complexity. Not all vets will be able to perform the surgery, so your dog may need to be referred to an orthopedic specialist for treatment.
