shaunyo67

New member
Feb 1, 2021
3
0
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Pablo
Hi all-

Been lurking around here for a few months for general advice on the breed...

Unfortunately, per some recent x ray results, my little guy has pretty bad hip dysplasia on both sides. I brought him in because he sways a lot when he walks... also, after playing at the dog park the other day (for probably too long), I noticed a slight limp.

Prior to the x rays, the doc laid him out and performed a physical examination; he said Pablo wasnā€™t in pain but he wanted to do x-rays because of the sway... Nonetheless, he definitely has hip dysplasia. Vet referred me to a surgeon and gave me some meds for pain in the meantime.

Iā€™m curious if anyone has been down this road. I feel like I read somewhere that hip dysplasia surgery is generally not recommended for EBDs? Or maybe it was the opposite, I donā€™t know.

Thanks for any advice,
Just want to do whatever I can to help my buddy live a pain free life.

Shane
 

cefe13

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2013
3,714
205
Country
Sweden
Bulldog(s) Names
Castor (2013-2021 RIP)
Welcome to the forum - Castor says hi to baby Pablo!

I remember reading when Castor was a pup that since breathing problems have been seen as a more serious problem in bulldogs, at least here they are generally not assessed for hip dysplasia the way other breeds are. If I remember correctly, the assumption was that many bulldogs have what in other breeds would be diagnosed as hip dysplasia. I'm sure other forum members are better up-to-date on the research situation about hip dysplasia in bulldogs.

The reason I read about this was that we were worried when we came home with Castor because after a day or so we noticed that the little furball swayed back and forth when walking, and he almost walked diagonally in a way I had never seen a dog do (but then I had hardly seen a bulldog before Castor!). We called the breeder who said that's perfectly normal in bulldogs, and he sent links to bulldogs in showrings who walked just like that. Vets also assessed Castor as healthy. He's always swayed his hips back and forth but not until quite recently (he is now almost 8 years old) has he had any problems (now he has some leg/back pain probably related to age).
 
OP
S

shaunyo67

New member
Feb 1, 2021
3
0
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Pablo
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Thank you!

This is my first dog.. let alone my first bulldog... Iā€™m learning a lot.

I probably need try and find a vet who specializes in bulldogs.. As you alluded to, bulldogs are unique.. what may look like severe hip dysplasia could just be a normal or mild case given the EBD breed (fingers crossed).

Definitely going to hold off on doing anything invasive until I get some more information.

Iā€™m anxious to hear what the surgeon has to say.

Thanks again and shout out to Castor!
 

ddnene

EBN's SWEETHEART aka our little GOOB
Staff member
Jun 19, 2013
14,554
1,249
Nashville, Tennessee
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Willow (2015) Walter (2014-22) Winston (2012-13) Wellie (2012-13) Bella (2007-13)
I have tagged members to give some insight... I personally haven't dealt w/the hip issue on my bulldogs. I wish you all the best!
 

oscarmayer

Have Bulldog Will Travel
Staff member
Jan 20, 2016
4,433
1,682
VA
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Lala, Chesty, Winky, Waggles, Moose, and rescue Peggy(soon to be placed)
To the best of our knowledge, many Bulldogs have mild hip dysplasia that never needs any sort of correction/treatment. Some with severe dysplasia will require surgical correction. We have done many FHO surgeries and all have been successful. I currently have a female that had bilateral FHO surgery when she was 1-2 yrs old. She's now 9 and going strong...no issues with walking or running whatsoever. We have also done a hip replacement. The girl came in lame and the idea was to replace both hips 1 at a time. She responded so well to the first hip replacement that the surgeon recommended that the 2nd one be put off unless it became painful for her. That was almost 5 years ago and Ellie is doing great!

How old is your Bulldog?
Did the surgeon discuss FHO surgery?
How much does your Bulldog weigh?
Pics and video would be very helpful.
 

Shirley Wigglebutt

New member
Jan 16, 2021
194
10
Country
N/A
Bulldog(s) Names
N/A
This is a great read. My adopted Shirley walks like sachet or a woman in heels doing that sexy walk. I thought it was due to the breed and her being overbred. Part of the reason I went ahead and added "WiggleButt" to her name and collar tag on top of the usual happy to see you, excited wigglebutt they get. Never would have thought hip dysplasia. Another thing I'm going to have my vet check when we go in for our 1st vet visit in a couple weeks. Thanks!
 
OP
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shaunyo67

New member
Feb 1, 2021
3
0
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Pablo
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thank you thank you.

This is encouraging.

My bulldog is 6.5 months and weighs ~43 pounds. I recently reduced the amount of his kibble as I read 43 pounds is on the high side.

Iā€™m currently living in Colombia (the country) and the kibble options are limited. Heā€™s currently eating taste of the wild for puppies.

I still havenā€™t heard from the surgeon yet but will follow up as soon as I do.

Also going to follow up with a video.

Thank you so much.
 

gobronco

Active member
Dec 16, 2011
474
65
San Jose, Ca
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Mila and Bruno
Hi all-

Been lurking around here for a few months for general advice on the breed...

Unfortunately, per some recent x ray results, my little guy has pretty bad hip dysplasia on both sides. I brought him in because he sways a lot when he walks... also, after playing at the dog park the other day (for probably too long), I noticed a slight limp.

Prior to the x rays, the doc laid him out and performed a physical examination; he said Pablo wasnā€™t in pain but he wanted to do x-rays because of the sway... Nonetheless, he definitely has hip dysplasia. Vet referred me to a surgeon and gave me some meds for pain in the meantime.

Iā€™m curious if anyone has been down this road. I feel like I read somewhere that hip dysplasia surgery is generally not recommended for EBDs? Or maybe it was the opposite, I donā€™t know.

Thanks for any advice,
Just want to do whatever I can to help my buddy live a pain free life.

Shane

Mimi (RIP) had hip/leg issues when she was a puppy about 5 months I think. We took her to a vet around the corner and he wanted to do surgery. We took her to our usual vet and he was also thinking surgery for a minute.. He told us to take her home and cut her food in half and she would be fine in 2-3 days. She was fine in a couple days. We watched her weight and she never had problems again. He said she was growing too fast. As far as the sway, that is what makes them so cute. Sometimes I think Bruno's legs are going to fall off he sways so much.
 

EllieMay

Member
Oct 6, 2019
384
18
Marshall Texas
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Cinder
I had some problems with mine when she was just a pup and several local vets immediately wanted to do some sort of surgery. I finally found a bulldog specialist and he told me that he wouldnā€™t even consider any kind of surgery until she was at least a 1yr old and possibly two.. EBDā€™s grow considerably fast from 4-8 months and often their joints canā€™t keep up.. Cinder outgrew her troubles just like the vet thought she might. If I had listened to the first two, she would have had hip and knee replacements that werenā€™t even necessary..
 

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