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| Health
Issues:
Common Health Issues Concerning The Bulldog
Bullies are no different to other dogs when it comes to sickness
and disease. Where bulldogs do differ is simple health problems such as cherry
eye can become a serious issue should you need to have it nipped out. It is
when your Bullie requires surgery even for a small complaint they need another
level of care. Minor problems become a major procedure because it's a Bullie
with their mushed in face and stocky build. Spay/neuter this is a matter of opinion, mine is 18months of age... I think that males needs their testosterone and females their estrogen to grow into their masculine or feminine stature. also at 18months they are in the best of health to under go this procedure. It is so important when choosing your bullie that you like the breeder as much as you do the dog because they are dogs built with what would be considered abnormalities in other breeds. The pleasure these dogs will give you
and your family will more than compensate for any care and maintenance they
require. Eyes Aberrant cilia/Distichiasis: eyelashes growing abnormally. Can be a serious condition if rubbing against the eyeball. Burn-out lashes; stitch skin so lashes don't rub (like a sewing dart) Not Life Threatening, but uncomfortable for the dog Ectropion: an abnormal rolling out of the eyelids. Stitch skin so lashes don't rub Entropion: an abnormal rolling in of the eyelid. Stitch skin so lashes don't rub Eversion of nictitating membrane (Cherry Eye): a condition where the third eyelid is protruding. Tuck membrane into 2nd eyelid (preferred); remove gland (do tear assay first to ensure no dry eye) Usually good if tear production is normal. 34cv Cataract: a change in structure of the lens of the eye leading to cloudiness and usually to blindness. Keratitis sicca/ Keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a condition where one or both eyes do not produce a normal amount or type of tears. "Dry Eye". Can lead to corneal ulcers and cherry eyes if untreated. Persistent pupillary membrane: a developmental abnormality where the membrane forming the iris does not form properly. Skeletal System Parosteitis: inflammation of tissue around a bone. Short skull: a skull that is abnormally short for the breed in question. Short tail: a tail that is abnormally short for the breed in question. Hip dysplasia: a developmental malformation or subluxation of the hip joints. Causes movement to be painful in its most severe form. Spina bifida: a developmental abnormality where some vertebra are malformed thereby exposing the spinal cord. Hemivertebra: a particular kind of malformation of the vertebra where only half of the structure is formed. Very short-coupled dogs with little or no tail or neck may have this diagnosis. No Known Treatment. Dogs with a severe form of this condition can be paralysed if a jarring back injury occurs. Care re: exercise, activity needs to be taken. Skin Acne: same thing as in humans, affects the muzzle and lip areas. Demodicosis: a kind of skin disease (mange) caused by microscopic Demodex canis mites living within the skin layers and producing an immunodeficiency syndrome. Fold dermatitis: an inflammation of skin folds especially in dogs with loose skin. Bulldogs are especially susceptible in the face and tail areas. Folliculitis: an infection of the hair follicles. Muzzle pyoderma: an infectious skin disease on the muzzle of an animal. Pododermatitis: a skin infection of the paws Circulatory Arteriovenous fistula: an abnormal connection that forms between arteries and veins. von Willebrand's disease: a type of bleeding disorder caused by defective blood platelet function. Mitral valve defects: a group of abnormalities of the mitral valve of the heart. Pulmonic stenosis: a condition where one of the valves of the heart does not open properly. Pyloric stenosis: a condition where the opening leading from the stomach does not function properly. Other Health Issues Hypothyroidism: a common endocrine disease where the body produces an abnormally low amount of thyroid hormones. An autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. Can be managed by injections. Hydrocephalus: a condition where there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Oligodendroglioma: a cancer arising from a type of cell found in the brain and spinal cord. Elbow dysplasia: an abnormal development of the elbow joint. Elbow subluxation: a condition where the elbow joint is loose and out of alignment. Fragmented coronoid process: osteochondrosis of the elbow joint. Abnormal dentition: abnormal placement, number and development of teeth. Cleft lip: a condition where the two halves of the upper lip do not join together. Cleft palate and cleft lip are often seen together. Cleft palate: a condition where the roof of the mouth is not closed and the inside of the nose opens into the mouth. Elongated soft palate: the soft palate is abnormally long and causes breathing disorders. Vaginal hyperplasia: an overgrowth of tissues of the vagina (polyps) Dystocia: complications of the birth process (difficult birth) 95% of births are c-sections Stenotic Nares: narrow nasal opening, characteristic of BU-AS Can be clipped to widen Hypoplasia of trachea: a trachea that fails to develop fully. characteristic of BU-AS
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