Any particularly prevalent neurological or cardiac problems that frenchies are prone too?

[RolosFriend]

Hello, didn’t know about this forum until Googling for advice, typical scenario I guess.

Anyway, daughter has a 5 yr male frenchie called Rolo, until recently has always been fine and very well natured.
Typical Frenchie issues of ‘doing before thinking’, windy, etc,
if you know, you know

In Last week, he appears to have had fits that last a few minutes, then back to normal self as if nothing happened.

Initial time, he was outside and came in trembling and had high-pitch yelps, lay down and trembling, we rushed him to my daughters vets over w/e and they checked him over, heart was deemed good, they diagnosed possible back muscular issue and prescribed pain relief and medicalm.
I thought there was some fibrillation but don’t know the breed well so that may just be a frenchie thing

Now Seems he may have had another ‘episode’ just before we came away, plus understand he’s had another in last day

Wondering if excess stress or physical activity known to bring such ‘fits’ on??

I suspect this may become an expensive investigation and treatment that my daughter can Ill afford (single working mum situation).

Would appreciate knowing from experienced owners if any common issues to check for and how, so that discussions on next steps can be less unnecessarily financially painful!

TIA

 

[2bullymama]

It could potential be IVDD... which French bulldogs and other breeds are very prone to. It is a disc disease in the spine.

here is one of many article you can find on the web giving great detail

What to Expect: French Bulldog Life Expectancy with IVDD – Vet Playas Veterinary Hospital

vetplayas.com

 

[jvglasso]

Could be undiagnosed or untreated BOAS. If you see another episode, check the tongue and gums for blue tinge. That would indicate low oxygen. Reach out to this site with your city/town and state for recommended vets with Frenchie expertise. You can contact, Vetscapel website, and ask for vets in your area that use their product. They will send you a list. Usually, there is a vet that specializes in Frenchie BOAS issues.

 

[OscarDad]

I lost my Oscar a few days ago and finding this forum and reading your post is what made me register to provide some insight/reply.

This sounds just like how my Oscar was which in the end was IVDD. Please read up as much as you can on this or if you have insurance and/or the means, get him to a specialist to confirm.

Oscar went to the vet a year ago with the same issue and IVDD wasn't mentioned or thought of. Pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds and a bit of bed rest which got him back to normal.

Six weeks ago he had another spell and this time they brought up the possibility of IVDD. He had four weeks of bed rest, no day care, no walks etc and again, got better. However just last week I had him off leash for bit of playing fetch and on the third throw when he went to run he over did it. I don't want to scare you but IVDD can go from manageable to fatal quite quickly. I am beating myself up daily for not getting him properly diagnosed and/or understanding the issue better.

Should the back legs show any signs whatsoever of tripping, losing balance or something isn't right, it's vital he see's a vet ASAP.

IVDD doesn't have to be fatal but if they have it, there are a lot of things you need to manage in regards to rough play, jumping up and off furniture etc.

Good luck and hope he gets better.

 

[2bullymama]

I lost my Oscar a few days ago and finding this forum and reading your post is what made me register to provide some insight/reply.

This sounds just like how my Oscar was which in the end was IVDD. Please read up as much as you can on this or if you have insurance and/or the means, get him to a specialist to confirm.

Oscar went to the vet a year ago with the same issue and IVDD wasn't mentioned or thought of. Pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds and a bit of bed rest which got him back to normal.

Six weeks ago he had another spell and this time they brought up the possibility of IVDD. He had four weeks of bed rest, no day care, no walks etc and again, got better. However just last week I had him off leash for bit of playing fetch and on the third throw when he went to run he over did it. I don't want to scare you but IVDD can go from manageable to fatal quite quickly. I am beating myself up daily for not getting him properly diagnosed and/or understanding the issue better.

Should the back legs show any signs whatsoever of tripping, losing balance or something isn't right, it's vital he see's a vet ASAP.

IVDD doesn't have to be fatal but if they have it, there are a lot of things you need to manage in regards to rough play, jumping up and off furniture etc.

Good luck and hope he gets better.

So incredibly sorry for your loss.. it is soul crushing at times.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Rest well Oscar

 

[John]

I lost my Oscar a few days ago and finding this forum and reading your post is what made me register to provide some insight/reply.

This sounds just like how my Oscar was which in the end was IVDD. Please read up as much as you can on this or if you have insurance and/or the means, get him to a specialist to confirm.

Oscar went to the vet a year ago with the same issue and IVDD wasn't mentioned or thought of. Pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds and a bit of bed rest which got him back to normal.

Six weeks ago he had another spell and this time they brought up the possibility of IVDD. He had four weeks of bed rest, no day care, no walks etc and again, got better. However just last week I had him off leash for bit of playing fetch and on the third throw when he went to run he over did it. I don't want to scare you but IVDD can go from manageable to fatal quite quickly. I am beating myself up daily for not getting him properly diagnosed and/or understanding the issue better.

Should the back legs show any signs whatsoever of tripping, losing balance or something isn't right, it's vital he see's a vet ASAP.

IVDD doesn't have to be fatal but if they have it, there are a lot of things you need to manage in regards to rough play, jumping up and off furniture etc.

Good luck and hope he gets better.

Very sorry for your loss and thank you for registering to help out.

 

[RolosFriend]

I lost my Oscar a few days ago and finding this forum and reading your post is what made me register to provide some insight/reply.

This sounds just like how my Oscar was which in the end was IVDD. Please read up as much as you can on this or if you have insurance and/or the means, get him to a specialist to confirm.

Oscar went to the vet a year ago with the same issue and IVDD wasn't mentioned or thought of. Pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds and a bit of bed rest which got him back to normal.

Six weeks ago he had another spell and this time they brought up the possibility of IVDD. He had four weeks of bed rest, no day care, no walks etc and again, got better. However just last week I had him off leash for bit of playing fetch and on the third throw when he went to run he over did it. I don't want to scare you but IVDD can go from manageable to fatal quite quickly. I am beating myself up daily for not getting him properly diagnosed and/or understanding the issue better.

Should the back legs show any signs whatsoever of tripping, losing balance or something isn't right, it's vital he see's a vet ASAP.

IVDD doesn't have to be fatal but if they have it, there are a lot of things you need to manage in regards to rough play, jumping up and off furniture etc.

Good luck and hope he gets better.

Hi,
Firstly, so sorry for your lose, clearly much loved and loss of a good friend.
Thanks for signing in and providing this info, I'll certainly ensure my daughter is aware and we ask searching questions at the Vets.

 

[Cbrugs]

Could definitely be IVDD as mentioned. An MRI is the only way to properly diagnose it. Unfortunately Frenchies can be prone to it because of the way they are built. Jax has it and was diagnosed in 2017 and has had 4 surgeries. It is basically a disc disease where the discs dry up and have no cushion which can make a disc herniate.

 

[RolosFriend]

Could definitely be IVDD as mentioned. An MRI is the only way to properly diagnose it. Unfortunately Frenchies can be prone to it because of the way they are built. Jax has it and was diagnosed in 2017 and has had 4 surgeries. It is basically a disc disease where the discs dry up and have no cushion which can make a disc herniate.

Thanks to everyone for recent replies, have made my daughter aware.
Rolo has settled down again but we are at least now cognisant of potential cause and likely get specialist Vet intervention in future.