The English Bulldog is a fantastic pet to own, a unique one that will turn heads! However, they also have a range of health issues due to the way they are bred. One of the most common is the English Bulldog back and leg problems, also showing signs of lameness.
It can be painful watching your furbaby limping or in pain from their back legs. To understand more of why this happens and what you can do, read on!
English Bulldog Back Leg Problems
You may have noticed that your English Bulldog has been limping from their back leg, showing signs of lameness. Sometimes, the limping would happen after sleeping or lounging on their leg for a few hours, which would wear off gradually. Other times, the limping may be normal, and some owners won’t think their pet is in pain.
However, if the pain lasts for a few days, then it may be a health issue that requires intervention. Here are a few reasons why your English Bulldog is experiencing back leg problems:
- It can be a strain due to falls, accidents, overexertion of energy, or playing too much. This can cause strain around the tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the back leg. It mostly happens after heavy exercise, especially since English Bulldogs tire easily
- Your English Bulldog might have broken their claw, causing pain in their back leg. This is a painful injury, especially if that tear reaches a nerve ending
- They may have a splinter or wound on their back leg’s paw, leading to their limp. This may come in the form of a stone, gum, insect bite or sting, or an open wound. In order to avoid insect bites in future, you can use an effective pet safe ant killer.
Other times, the back leg problem may be due to other serious issues, including:
- It may come from a break, fracture, or dislocation. English Bulldogs are more prone to injuries because of their genetics, as English Bulldogs are more prone to leg injuries because of genetics, easily hurting themselves when more active.
- Ligament damages can also happen if your English Bulldog would twist and jump incorrectly.
- Hip or elbow dysplasia is very common in English Bulldogs, as they are a brachycephalic breed. Hip dysplasia occurs in their back leg, while elbow dysplasia typically happens in their front legs and/or paws
- Luxating patella is a medical term for kneecap dislocation, another common injury in English Bulldogs that can cause pain in the back leg
- Inflammatory disease, or panosteitis, is more common in English Bulldogs, having inflammation on their leg bones
- Canine bone cancer isn’t as prevalent in small dog breeds, but may still occur
- ACL tears and injuries would often occur in the back legs, first noticed when your dog begins lifting its leg
- Arthritis is more common in older English Bulldogs when limping is more gradual and the joints swell up over time
- Lyme’s disease is very difficult to diagnose, as your English Bulldog won’t start limping right away, but only show symptoms months after being exposed to the condition
- Valley fever is a fungal disease in the US, which can make English Bulldogs limp
- Neurological disorders may occur, wherein damage is inflicted to the spine where a disc touches the nerves. This may cause lameness and back leg pain.
Treatment and Prevention of Back Leg Problems
Now that you know more about English Bulldog back leg problems, the next question is how you can treat and prevent them from happening. Here are a few quick tips to follow to keep your dog healthy:
- Avoid having them walk on sharp and/or uneven surfaces, or does cover in debris
- Never let them walk on surfaces that are either too hot or cold
- Avoid overworking and over-exercising your English Bulldog, especially during hot weather
- Don’t let your dogs jump up too high, as this can damage their spine
- Always examine your pet’s paws and legs, checking for any wounds or injuries, especially when they start limping. If they have a pained reaction, gently massage it and lightly apply pressure on the spine to see if they put any resistance. If so, it’s best to take them to the veterinarian for a diagnosis
If ever manual checks on your dog don’t work or your English Bulldog continues to limp and be in pain for a few days, it’s recommended to see your veterinarian. If he also shows other symptoms such as broken toes or claw nails, lethargy, and loss of appetite or swelling, take him to the vet right away. Take note of all of the signs and symptoms you notice in your dog.
The vet will perform in-depth diagnostic tests such as a blood test, x-ray, MRI, and fluoroscopy (all as needed) to see what is wrong with your English Bulldog.
Fortunately, most conditions can be treated with antibiotics, medication, therapy, a cast, among other treatments that are deemed appropriate. If your dog has an open wound on his back leg, this can be treated on your own with medication and bandages, provided that it isn’t too much of a serious case. Furthermore, make sure that your dog gets a lot of rest and drinks water, especially if the reason behind the pain is overexercise!
Wrapping It Up
English Bulldogs may limp at times, which is one of the different health issues they come across due to their breed. If ever you notice the limping has been around for a long period, it’s time to take them to the vet, as they are vulnerable to a host of joint issues and pain. With earlier intervention, your pet can live a longer and healthier life without much pain and discomfort.
Hopefully, you learned more about the English Bulldog back leg problems and how to treat them properly. If you believe your English Bulldog is suffering from such pain problems, do evaluate their situation and take them to the vet as needed.