Paralyzed French Bulldog Found 'Dragging Herself Around' Streets Is Saved

A French bulldog escaped almost certain death after being found in the most distressing of states. Gwenn Vallone from Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles dreads to think what might have become of the Frenchie that staff at her shelter nicknamed "Wiggles" had they not intervened. Vallone told Newsweek that Wiggles was "dragging herself around the streets" when she was first found and brought to Animal Friends of the Valley in Wildomar, California. "We often work with that shelter so they contacted us and asked if we would rescue Wiggles," Vallone said. Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles is a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, care, and placement of abandoned, neglected, unwanted, displaced, and abused pugs. Vallone said: "We usually concentrate on pugs but do know that special-needs Frenchies that cannot walk will most likely be euthanized at shelters, so we take them into rescue when we are able." Wiggles certainly fit the bill in that respect. While little was known about her life prior to arriving at Vallone's shelter, a quick checkup with their vet confirmed she was in a bad way. "She was underweight when she arrived, not spayed, had no use of her back legs and was incontinent," Vallone said.

More significantly, Wiggles was suffering with intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD, a disc injury that affects the back, with the impact ranging from mild discomfort to paralysis. Unfortunately, IVDD is an all-too-common problem for French bulldogs. A 2017 study published in the journal BMC Veterinary Research found the breed was prone to a number of neurological diseases, with IVDD the most common, accounting for 45.5 cases. "It's very common in French bulldogs," Vallone said. "One day they are walking and they suddenly lose their ability to walk or empty their bladder and bowels by themselves." Once diagnosed with IVDD, most French bulldogs face a difficult future. "Sometimes, an owner will take the dog to the vet and they are told the dog needs an expensive MRI and back surgery, and usually that is when people will dump them on the streets or in shelters," Vallone said. "At times, IVDD is reversible by surgery, but there is a very, very small window of possibility, and most times people wait too long, so by the time we get them the condition is not reversible." Given that prognosis, Wiggles would be forgiven for feeling a little down in the dumps, but she is anything but that. "Since Wiggles has arrived, she's been a very happy dog," Vallone said. "She is extremely loving and upbeat, really fun to have around and other than the fact that she cannot walk, she is like any other dog. She loves to play, eat and be loved." Maybe it's down to the fact Wiggles is not long having to fend for herself on the streets without the use of her hind legs. She's certainly in the best place possible given her condition. "We have extensive experience caring for special-needs dogs like Wiggles, so she is kept healthy and happy here," Vallone said. Despite her complex needs, Vallone has not given up hope of Wiggles one day finding a home. "There are quite a few people out there who also know how to take care of a dog like Wiggles, so our hope is that an adopter will come forward for her, so she can have a home of her own and get more individualized attention," she said. Ultimately, Vallone is keen to stress that whoever does decide to take Wiggles on does so with their eyes open to the expectations that will be placed on them.

"A good adopter for a special-needs dog is someone who is mostly home," she said. "We are also willing to train potential adopters on expressing bladders and putting the dog in a wheelchair, so experience is preferred, but many people have learned fairly quickly in order to adopt a special-needs dog." For now though, Wiggles is happy exactly where he is, mixing with staff and other dogs and occasionally posing for adorable photoshoots. "Wiggles spends her days in our 'free bird' area, meaning she's in the kitchen area where staff spends a lot of time, so she has constant supervision and company there," Vallone said. "We also have quite a few other special-needs dogs, so they all hang out together and keep each other company." Vallone dreads to think what might have happened had Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles not intervened, but thankfully they did. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.