Warning signs
- Refusal to walk or climb stairs
- Stiff or limping gait
- Visible pain when touched in the back area
- Sudden urinary or faecal incontinence
- Dragging or weakness of the hind limbs
What to do immediately
- 1Limit the dog's movements — the less it moves, the better
- 2Do not lift by the legs: always support the entire body
- 3Carry in arms if necessary, supporting the chest and hindquarters
- 4Get to the veterinarian as quickly as possible
What NOT to do
- Do not force the dog to move or climb stairs
- Do not let it jump from the sofa or elevated surfaces
- Do not ignore sudden incontinence — it is a serious sign
- Do not massage the painful area
Call the vet immediately if
- Sudden incontinence (urine or faeces)
- Total inability to walk
- Very intense pain on touch
- Rapid worsening of symptoms
Related information
Related symptoms
Related disease guides
Pododermatitis and Interdigital Furunculosis in the French Bulldog
Inflamed paws and interdigital lesions in French Bulldogs can have different causes; deeper forms may produce painful nodules and draining tracts.
Hemivertebrae in the French Bulldog
Congenital vertebral malformations that are often incidental but can sometimes be associated with deformity, spinal-cord compression and neurological signs.
IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) in the French Bulldog
A frequent neurological condition in the French Bulldog in which one or more intervertebral discs are damaged and compress the spinal cord, causing pain, difficulty walking, and in severe cases, paralysis.