Laurie's Blogs.

Another nifty new study has come out with short and sweet, “need to know” info-nuggets for clinical practice.

Spinal diseases are a significant concern in brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs (FBDs) and Pugs, but their prevalence and presentation differ markedly despite their phenotypic similarities. A recent retrospective study by Kerr et al. (Veterinary Record, 2025) at the Royal Veterinary College provides critical insights into these differences, offering valuable guidance for veterinary clinicians.

The study analyzed 439 FBDs and 106 Pugs presenting with spinal disease between 2010 and 2022, using advanced imaging (MRI and CT) to confirm diagnoses. Key findings highlight distinct patterns:

French Bulldogs: Acute intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDE) dominated, accounting for 84.2% of diagnoses. FBDs typically presented with acute onset (62.0%), painful neurological deficits (77.6% of thoracolumbar cases), and more severe neurological grades. Cervical lesions were common (30.5%), aligning with prior reports of IVDE prevalence in this breed.

Pugs: Chronic conditions were more prevalent, with spinal arachnoid diverticula (SAD) and chronic intervertebral disc protrusions each comprising 24.0% of diagnoses, followed by hemivertebrae with kyphosis (16.0%) and constrictive myelopathy (12.0%). Pugs showed a chronic onset in 74.5% of cases, often with non-painful deficits (81.4% of thoracolumbar cases) and a higher incidence of urinary/fecal incontinence (20.8%). Notably, 17.9% of Pugs had multiple concurrent spinal lesions, complicating diagnosis and management.

These findings underscore the need to differentiate between these breeds in clinical practice. FBDs, driven by a high incidence of 12-FGF4 retrogene insertion, are prone to acute IVDE, necessitating prompt imaging and surgical consideration. Pugs, however, often present with complex, multifactorial thoracolumbar myelopathies, requiring a nuanced diagnostic approach to address concurrent lesions like SAD or meningeal fibrosis.

Clinical Implications: For FBDs, prioritize rapid diagnosis of acute IVDE, particularly in younger dogs (median age 44 months). For Pugs, anticipate chronic, progressive signs and consider comprehensive imaging to detect multiple lesions. These distinctions can guide diagnostic prioritization, treatment planning, and prognostic discussions with owners.

This study emphasizes that while Pugs and FBDs share conformational traits, their spinal disease profiles are distinct. Tailoring diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to these breed-specific patterns can enhance outcomes in veterinary neurology.

Read the full study: Kerr S, et al. Veterinary Record. 2025; e5122. DOI: 10.1002/vetr.5122

And now you know!

:)