Rapid Growth Phase in Bulldog puppies

Bulldog puppies tend to go threw periods of rapid growth, and can be prone to several conditions.
I do recommend that bulldog puppies be put on glucosamine/ chondroition supplement and fish oil.
The first condition they can be prone to is panosteitis ( most people call it
" growing pains ", "pano"or "shifting leg lameness" ) Pano is generally seen
between 5 - 12 months of age ( I have seen this in puppies younger than 5 months )
Symptoms of pano are :
-sudden lameness
-periods of lameness lasting 2 to 3 weeks and it may shift from leg to leg
-loss of appetite
-some dogs run a fever
-reluctance to rise
-reluctance to engage in normal activities
-exercise intolerance
-whimpering when rising, moving or being touched
Pano has no specific treatment, but is very painful. So most veterinarians
recommend rest, and a painkiller like Rimadyl. Diet is also thought to play
a role. High protein puppy diets may make the puppy grow to fast. Most
veterinarians recommend a reduced protein diet ( usually an adult dog food )
The second condition is a carpal deformity. ( The carpal joints are in the front
legs ....where our wrists would be )


When the puppy stands up or walks they tend to " knuckle over " on the
wrist joints. X-rays are not needed for a diagnosis of carpal flexural deformity.
This condition is corrected with diet ( taking the puppy off of the high protein
puppy food and putting them on an adult dog food ) If the condition is bad
your veterinarian can apply a splint or vet wrap to the leg for 2 to 3 weeks.