What Can You Give Your Frenchie to Prevent IVDD?

IVDD in full means Intervertebral Disc Disease. It is a condition you have to get familiar with if you have a French bulldog. Most of the French bulldogs are genetically predisposed to this condition. One of the effects of the IVDD in dogs is that the discs that cushion between the vertebrae can burst into the spinal cord space and then exert pressure on the nerves around them. This pressure causes severe pain and may eventually lead to paralysis.

IVDD is known typically to affect the spinal cord; its effects on the backbone will remain unknown except there are triggers. The dog can appear wonderful this minute before it does a playful exercise or a jump that ruptures this disc. The leap can cause a rupture of a disc which has already been weakened by the disease.

Ways to prevent IVDD

1. Weight control:

one of the best things to do is to ensure you keep your dog's weight within limits. Extra weights around the neck and back region, increases its chance of coming down with IVDD.

Your dog's best shape is that where the waist is visible, and the ribs can easily be felt when you feel that area. Too fat Frenchie is equivalent to IVDD.

2. Use a harness: 

Using a collar can cause difficulty in breathing for your French bulldog, which predisposes it to IVDD. It is advisable to use a harness instead.

3. Reduce jumping around: 

Although this is difficult, yet it is necessary. Your French bulldog will love to be active and jump around, especially from high furniture in the house. You can reduce jumping by introducing your Frenchie to doggie stairs at a young age; it may eventually be used to that height and not want to jump from other house furniture.

4. Healthy food:

Your dog should be fed a high-quality diet, which should consist of a large percentage of animal protein. Ensure your dog is fed raw meat, meaty bones, and animal organs. Bones will help your dog build a healthy skeletal system. Here are some recommended French Bulldog Food and Care Accessories to help with your dog's eating habit.

5. Spay Your Dog:

Finally, you should ensure that your Frenchie is old enough before you spay them. Using a premature bitch for spaying will lead to a quick deterioration of the franchise's skeletal body system. Here's a quick lesson on spaying a Frenchie.

Feed them with food that is low in calories will help reduce their weight and keep them in shape. With the right food, you will be able to control the weight of your dog.

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Treating Your French Bulldog of IVDD

When you take your Frenchie to the vet, the vet carries out a neurological scan and sometimes, Special Imaging to determine the site of the rupture. If it is a mild fracture, you can apply a few steroids and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the pain and swelling. The dog is also placed on a compulsory rest for about six weeks.

In cases of severe fracture, surgery is generally used. But surgery is only recommended if the dog has not lost its ability to walk. When surgeries are unsuccessful, dog wheelchairs are the next best option. This will give the dog an everyday life despite its paralysis.