Cherry Eye
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The medical term for 'cherry eye' is nictitans gland prolapse, or prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. Unlike people, dogs have a 'third eyelid' that contains a tear gland and is located in the corner of each eye. Under normal circumstances, this gland is not visible and aids in the production of tears. For some reason, which is not completely understood, the gland of the third eyelid prolapses or comes out of its normal position and swells creating the condition known as cherry eye.
What dogs are likely to get cherry eye?
Any dog can develop cherry eye, but there are several breeds that appear to have a higher incidence of developing it in both eyes. They are: the Beagle, Bloodhound, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Saint Bernard, and Shar-Pei. Dogs can acquire this condition at any age and it affects males and females equally.
What causes it?
The exact cause of cherry eye is not known, but it is strongly suspected that it is due to a weakness of the connective tissue that attaches the gland to the surrounding structures of the eye. The weakness of the connective tissue allows the gland to prolapse. Once the gland prolapses and is exposed to the dry air and irritants, it can become infected and/or begin to swell. The gland often becomes irritated, red, and swollen. There is sometimes a mucous discharge and if the animals rub or scratch at it, they can traumatize the gland further or possibly create an ulcer on the surface of the eye.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of cherry eye is very straightforward and consists of surgically repositioning the gland. Topical or injectable treatments of antibiotics and steroids are rarely effective in reducing the gland and allowing for correction without surgery. Because the exposed gland is at greater risk for further trauma or infection, prompt surgical replacement is the best choice.
At one time, it was popular to surgically remove the gland as a way to correct this condition. While this procedure is often effective, it can create many problems later in the animals life. The gland of the third eyelid is very important for the production of tears. Without the tears produced by the third eyelid many dogs could suffer from the condition known as 'dry eye.' Dry eye or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a serious condition that results from the decreased production of tears. When the third eyelid gland is removed, we are greatly increasing the chances for the development of this condition. The much better and preferred surgical option is to surgically tack the gland back into place with a suture that attaches the gland to the deeper structures of the eye socket. Most of these surgeries are performed quickly and have very few complications, and allow the gland to return to normal function. After the surgery, some animals may need to be placed on antibiotic ointment for a few days.
ENTROPION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
which is a rolling-in of the eyelid. This causes the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub on the eyeball, which is both painful and often causes corneal ulcers or erosions. The corneal damage can also result in corneal scarring, which can interfere with vision. Usually the dog will squint and tear excessively. However, many flat-faced dogs with medial entropion (involving the inside corner of the eyes) show no obvious signs of discomfort.
Entropion is treated by surgical correction ("blepharoplasty"), which is essentially plastic surgery. Excessive folds and sections of facial skin are removed, and the eyelids tightened. It is uncommon for entropion to recur after surgery unless the entropion is quite involved, particularly in the Shar Pei breed. Very young puppies with entropion will often have "lid tacking" performed (rather than plastic surgery), in which temporary lid sutures are placed to roll out the lids. Often, these puppies do not require permanent plastic surgery once they have matured and "grown into" their facial skin. Permanent plastic surgery is usually not performed in puppies less than 5 or 6 months of age, giving the dog some time to develop its mature head conformation.
Dogs with inherited entropion should not be bred, as they can pass the trait on to their offspring. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (see CERF information) publishes a list of breed-specific breeding recommendations for purebred dogs with entropion.
If you suspect that entropion is present in your pet, please consult with your family veterinarian. Your doctor may elect to have your pet referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation and possible surgical treatment.
What dogs are likely to get cherry eye?
Any dog can develop cherry eye, but there are several breeds that appear to have a higher incidence of developing it in both eyes. They are: the Beagle, Bloodhound, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Saint Bernard, and Shar-Pei. Dogs can acquire this condition at any age and it affects males and females equally.
What causes it?
The exact cause of cherry eye is not known, but it is strongly suspected that it is due to a weakness of the connective tissue that attaches the gland to the surrounding structures of the eye. The weakness of the connective tissue allows the gland to prolapse. Once the gland prolapses and is exposed to the dry air and irritants, it can become infected and/or begin to swell. The gland often becomes irritated, red, and swollen. There is sometimes a mucous discharge and if the animals rub or scratch at it, they can traumatize the gland further or possibly create an ulcer on the surface of the eye.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of cherry eye is very straightforward and consists of surgically repositioning the gland. Topical or injectable treatments of antibiotics and steroids are rarely effective in reducing the gland and allowing for correction without surgery. Because the exposed gland is at greater risk for further trauma or infection, prompt surgical replacement is the best choice.
At one time, it was popular to surgically remove the gland as a way to correct this condition. While this procedure is often effective, it can create many problems later in the animals life. The gland of the third eyelid is very important for the production of tears. Without the tears produced by the third eyelid many dogs could suffer from the condition known as 'dry eye.' Dry eye or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a serious condition that results from the decreased production of tears. When the third eyelid gland is removed, we are greatly increasing the chances for the development of this condition. The much better and preferred surgical option is to surgically tack the gland back into place with a suture that attaches the gland to the deeper structures of the eye socket. Most of these surgeries are performed quickly and have very few complications, and allow the gland to return to normal function. After the surgery, some animals may need to be placed on antibiotic ointment for a few days.
ENTROPION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
which is a rolling-in of the eyelid. This causes the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub on the eyeball, which is both painful and often causes corneal ulcers or erosions. The corneal damage can also result in corneal scarring, which can interfere with vision. Usually the dog will squint and tear excessively. However, many flat-faced dogs with medial entropion (involving the inside corner of the eyes) show no obvious signs of discomfort.
Entropion is treated by surgical correction ("blepharoplasty"), which is essentially plastic surgery. Excessive folds and sections of facial skin are removed, and the eyelids tightened. It is uncommon for entropion to recur after surgery unless the entropion is quite involved, particularly in the Shar Pei breed. Very young puppies with entropion will often have "lid tacking" performed (rather than plastic surgery), in which temporary lid sutures are placed to roll out the lids. Often, these puppies do not require permanent plastic surgery once they have matured and "grown into" their facial skin. Permanent plastic surgery is usually not performed in puppies less than 5 or 6 months of age, giving the dog some time to develop its mature head conformation.
Dogs with inherited entropion should not be bred, as they can pass the trait on to their offspring. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (see CERF information) publishes a list of breed-specific breeding recommendations for purebred dogs with entropion.
If you suspect that entropion is present in your pet, please consult with your family veterinarian. Your doctor may elect to have your pet referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation and possible surgical treatment.
DRY EYE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, usually abbreviated to KCS, is a condition of the eye, where insufficient tears are produced. The result is an eye that is dry, hence the more common name of ‘Dry Eye’. Although it can affect many domestic species, including cats and horses, KCS is most commonly seen in dogs. In a recent study of dogs with eye problems, an amazing 40% were diagnosed with KCS – so, as you can see, it is a surprisingly common condition.
HEAT SENSITIVITY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulldogs are known for their sensitivity to heat. Bulldogs do not make very good outdoor dogs. They overheat easily and could DIE if left OUTSIDE in climates of warm/hot weather. They should be a member of your family.You must be willing to let your bulldog live in your air conditioned and heated house. Many breeders, such as myself have dedicated their lives to improving the health of bulldogs. So, IT IS POSSIBLE to find a bulldog that is healthy. Just make sure you do your homework before purchasing your little bundle of joy from myself or any breeder:}
HEAT SENSITIVITY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulldogs are known for their sensitivity to heat. Bulldogs do not make very good outdoor dogs. They overheat easily and could DIE if left OUTSIDE in climates of warm/hot weather. They should be a member of your family.You must be willing to let your bulldog live in your air conditioned and heated house. Many breeders, such as myself have dedicated their lives to improving the health of bulldogs. So, IT IS POSSIBLE to find a bulldog that is healthy. Just make sure you do your homework before purchasing your little bundle of joy from myself or any breeder:}
DEMODICOSIS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Demodex in the dog is a common infestation of the dog’s skin with tiny, cigar-shaped, eight-legged mites. Human demodex cases do occur but transmission from the dog to a human is quite rare. Nevertheless, human cases of demodex do happen where transmission from a family pet to a human occurs. The mites reside and feed in the hair follicle and oil glands of the skin. Also called Mange, which is a general term used to describe any kind of mite infestation, Demodex is generally less severe than Sarcoptic mites (often called scabies).
Fortunately, most cases of Demodectic mites are self-limiting… that is, the animal is able to arrest the reproduction and growth of the mites and eventually repair the damage they do. Once eliminated, most dogs do not acquire another infestation; the dog’s immune defenses are primed to eliminate any new Demodex mites that happen to find themselves on the dog. However, there are certain individual dogs that, because of genetic programming, do not produce the specific immune factors that will target the mites for destruction. That specific lack of adequate immune defense against the mites is a hereditary aspect of the disease that can predispose an infested dog to a severe, unresponsive case of Demodex. Many veterinarians believe that all dogs have small numbers of Demodex mites residing in the skin and that having a few mites is normal and common. It is when immune related, or nutritional or environmental stresses impact the dog that visible skin lesions from mite infestations become noticeable. Seen most commonly in young dogs. Demodex skin lesions are usually transient, but occasionally in certain canines the mites will
totally overwhelm the dog's skin.
FOLD DERMATITIS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is fold dermatitis?
Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Where there are excessive skin folds or wrinkles, fold dermatitis occurs due to rubbing of skin and trapping of moisture in the folds. Pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) commonly develops, almost always caused by Staphylococcus intermedius (which does not cause problems in people).
Common forms are tail, lip, and facial fold dermatitis and associated pyoderma, in breeds where there is skin folding in these areas.
How is fold dermatitis inherited?
Fold dermatitis is directly related to skin folding or wrinkling in a particular breed. The wrinkling trait is considered to be autosomal dominant.
What breeds are affected by fold dermatitis?
The following breeds are predisposed to fold dermatitis and skin-fold pyoderma: bloodhound, Boston terrier (tail fold), Chinese Shar-pei, cocker and springer spaniel (lip fold), English bulldog (facial fold), Neapolitan mastiff, Pekingese (facial fold), pug (facial and tail fold).
For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. I have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.
What does fold dermatitis mean to your dog & you?
The condition can cause your dog mild to significant discomfort and itching (depending on whether the area becomes infected). Infection is likely to recur.
How is fold dermatitis diagnosed?
The condition is readily diagnosed based on reddened, moist areas in folds of skin.
How is fold dermatitis treated?
This condition can generally be managed satisfactorily. Your veterinarian will recommend a cleansing shampoo for you to use regularly to combat infection which, when it does occur, will require antibiotic treatment.
If your dog develops a chronic or frequently-recurring fold pyoderma, despite treatment, your veterinarian will likely discuss with you the option of surgically removing the fold which should clear up the problem permanently.
Folliculitis
~~~~~~~~~~
An infection of the hair follicles.
Muzzle pyoderma
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An infectious skin disease on the muzzle of the dog.
Pododermatitis
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A skin infection of the paws
Acne
~~~~~~
Same thing as in humans, affects the muzzle and lip areas.
( Avoid using plastic feeding dishes. Stainless steel,or glass dishes are your best bet.)
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.
HIP DYSPLASIA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hip dysplasia is a common disease in dogs also known as Canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is characterized by a loose and unstable hip joint.
To better understand Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), let's look first at a dog’s hip joint. It attaches to the hind leg by means of a "ball and socket" joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur, the long bone between hip and knee. The socket, called the “acetabulum,” is located at the end of the pelvic bone. In a healthy dog without Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), the ball rotates freely within the socket. To facilitate movement, the bones of the ball are shaped to perfectly match those of the inside of the socket.
To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a ligament that runs directly from the ball into the socket, where it attaches to the inside. Attaching to both bones and completely encircling the joint is the joint capsule, a thick band of connective tissue that holds the bones together. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. In the normal dog, all these parts work together for smooth and stable joint function.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) affects the development of the hip joint in a young dog. It results when the muscles and connective tissue (including the ligaments) are lax and weak, losing their ability to properly support the ball and socket joint. Dogs with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) are born with normal hips but develop the condition as they mature, usually due to a genetic predisposition towards the disease. Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) may affect one side of the hip only, or both (bilaterial CHD).
Due to the weak supporting structures, the two bones of the ball and socket joint are not held in place and actually move apart. The joint capsule and the ligament between the two bones stretch, causing the joint to become unstable. As a result, the surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. The slight separation of the two bones of the joint is called “subluxation,” which leads to all of the problems associated with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD).
When the two bones within the joint lose their normal position in relationship to one other, their articular surfaces no longer contact each other in the correct way. The surrounding muscles of the dog's joint attempt to force the bones back together but the result is never completely successful. Due to the weight of the dog with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), the femoral head (ball) often "rides up" against the rim of the hip socket, causing both bone surfaces to be worn away so that they no longer have a perfect fit. With every movement of the dog’s leg, these two abnormal areas of bone now grind against each other instead of contacting on a smooth articular surface.
Breeds that are likely to develop hip dysplasia
The following breeds have a genetic predisposition towards developing Canine hip dysplasia (CHD)
American Bulldog
American Staffordshire Terrier
Beagle
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bloodhound
Bouvier des flandres
Boykin Spaniel
Briard
Brittany
English Bulldog
Bullmastiff
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Coonhound (Black and Tan)
Coton de Tulčar
Curly Coated Retriever
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
German Shepherd
Giant Schnauzer Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Kuvasz
Neapolitan Mastiff
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
Old English Sheepdog
Otterhund
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Portuguese Water Dog
Pudel Pointer
Pug
Rottweiler
Shih Tzu
Spanish Water Dog
St. Bernard
Staffordshire Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Corgi
Welsh Springer Spaniel
POCKET TAIL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulldogs may have a small indented area underneath the tail. It is commonly referred to as : Pocket Tail. Some Bulldogs have their tail set in this pocket. In these cases, special effort is needed to keep the pocket clean and dry. If not properly cared for, your Bulldog may end up with an infection. They can be difficult but if you are diligent about taking care of it, you can prevent any problems. Should your Bulldog be unfortunate enough to develop an infection, proper treatment will have him or her feeling better in no time.
What you need:
baby wipes (unscented with aloe work best)
diaper rash cream (such as Desitin)
medicated powder (such as Gold Bond)
What to do:
Use baby wipes to clean under the tail at least a couple of times per day. Your Bullie will most likely be licking the air while you this (normal but funny to see).
After that use unscented diaper rash creme and apply that to the raw areas, again getting under the tail as necessary. This will help to keep moisture out of the area. You may need to do this for a couple of days depending on how red/raw the area still is.
Once you have the redness and irritation under control, continue with the baby wipes but switch to the medicated powder instead of diaper rash creme to help keep the area dry. This also helps with the itching your Bullie is probably dealing with. You can just apply the powder from the container or if you'd like, you may use a small paintbrush to help you get it where it needs to be.
Within about 4-5 days your Bulldog should be back to normal (maybe sooner). You should consider making the medicated powder a weekly treatment or even more often to prevent problems in the future.
Elbow Dysphasia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An abnormal development of the elbow joint.
Elbow Subluxation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A condition where the elbow joint is loose and out of alignment.
STENOTIC NARES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stenotic nares are abnormally narrow or obstructed nostrils, especially when inhaling. Dogs with this disorder tend to breathe primarily through their mouths, because breathing through the nose is unproductive. When they do breathe through their noses, they make wheezing sounds. Stenotic nares cause the dog to inhale deeper to draw air through the nose and into the lower airway, which may contribute to the development of secondary abnormalities, such as everted laryngeal saccules and laryngeal collapse.
symptoms
The dog's nose appears narrow, with the nostril wings (alar folds) collapsing inward during inhalation and possibly blocking the nares. As noted above, the dog tends to breathe through its mouth, and makes wheezing sounds when breathing with its mouth closed. Symptoms typically include labored and constant open mouthed breathing, noisy breathing, snuffling, snorting, excessive snoring, and in severe cases, gagging, retching, exercise and/or heat intolerance, pale or bluish tongue and gums due to a lack of oxygen.
diagnosis
Stenotic nares are easily diagnosed by visual examination. In severe cases, the flow of air through the nostrils may be so poor that no air movement can be detected.
treatment
Surgery under general anesthesia is the preferred means of treating stenotic nares. The aim is to increase the size of the nostrils by removing tissue from the wings and possibly some related cartilage. Following surgery, the dog will be required to wear an Elizabethan collar to keep the surgical site clean and to protect it from rubbing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Demodex in the dog is a common infestation of the dog’s skin with tiny, cigar-shaped, eight-legged mites. Human demodex cases do occur but transmission from the dog to a human is quite rare. Nevertheless, human cases of demodex do happen where transmission from a family pet to a human occurs. The mites reside and feed in the hair follicle and oil glands of the skin. Also called Mange, which is a general term used to describe any kind of mite infestation, Demodex is generally less severe than Sarcoptic mites (often called scabies).
Fortunately, most cases of Demodectic mites are self-limiting… that is, the animal is able to arrest the reproduction and growth of the mites and eventually repair the damage they do. Once eliminated, most dogs do not acquire another infestation; the dog’s immune defenses are primed to eliminate any new Demodex mites that happen to find themselves on the dog. However, there are certain individual dogs that, because of genetic programming, do not produce the specific immune factors that will target the mites for destruction. That specific lack of adequate immune defense against the mites is a hereditary aspect of the disease that can predispose an infested dog to a severe, unresponsive case of Demodex. Many veterinarians believe that all dogs have small numbers of Demodex mites residing in the skin and that having a few mites is normal and common. It is when immune related, or nutritional or environmental stresses impact the dog that visible skin lesions from mite infestations become noticeable. Seen most commonly in young dogs. Demodex skin lesions are usually transient, but occasionally in certain canines the mites will
totally overwhelm the dog's skin.
FOLD DERMATITIS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is fold dermatitis?
Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Where there are excessive skin folds or wrinkles, fold dermatitis occurs due to rubbing of skin and trapping of moisture in the folds. Pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) commonly develops, almost always caused by Staphylococcus intermedius (which does not cause problems in people).
Common forms are tail, lip, and facial fold dermatitis and associated pyoderma, in breeds where there is skin folding in these areas.
How is fold dermatitis inherited?
Fold dermatitis is directly related to skin folding or wrinkling in a particular breed. The wrinkling trait is considered to be autosomal dominant.
What breeds are affected by fold dermatitis?
The following breeds are predisposed to fold dermatitis and skin-fold pyoderma: bloodhound, Boston terrier (tail fold), Chinese Shar-pei, cocker and springer spaniel (lip fold), English bulldog (facial fold), Neapolitan mastiff, Pekingese (facial fold), pug (facial and tail fold).
For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. I have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.
What does fold dermatitis mean to your dog & you?
The condition can cause your dog mild to significant discomfort and itching (depending on whether the area becomes infected). Infection is likely to recur.
How is fold dermatitis diagnosed?
The condition is readily diagnosed based on reddened, moist areas in folds of skin.
How is fold dermatitis treated?
This condition can generally be managed satisfactorily. Your veterinarian will recommend a cleansing shampoo for you to use regularly to combat infection which, when it does occur, will require antibiotic treatment.
If your dog develops a chronic or frequently-recurring fold pyoderma, despite treatment, your veterinarian will likely discuss with you the option of surgically removing the fold which should clear up the problem permanently.
Folliculitis
~~~~~~~~~~
An infection of the hair follicles.
Muzzle pyoderma
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An infectious skin disease on the muzzle of the dog.
Pododermatitis
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A skin infection of the paws
Acne
~~~~~~
Same thing as in humans, affects the muzzle and lip areas.
( Avoid using plastic feeding dishes. Stainless steel,or glass dishes are your best bet.)
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.
HIP DYSPLASIA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hip dysplasia is a common disease in dogs also known as Canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is characterized by a loose and unstable hip joint.
To better understand Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), let's look first at a dog’s hip joint. It attaches to the hind leg by means of a "ball and socket" joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur, the long bone between hip and knee. The socket, called the “acetabulum,” is located at the end of the pelvic bone. In a healthy dog without Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), the ball rotates freely within the socket. To facilitate movement, the bones of the ball are shaped to perfectly match those of the inside of the socket.
To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a ligament that runs directly from the ball into the socket, where it attaches to the inside. Attaching to both bones and completely encircling the joint is the joint capsule, a thick band of connective tissue that holds the bones together. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. In the normal dog, all these parts work together for smooth and stable joint function.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) affects the development of the hip joint in a young dog. It results when the muscles and connective tissue (including the ligaments) are lax and weak, losing their ability to properly support the ball and socket joint. Dogs with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) are born with normal hips but develop the condition as they mature, usually due to a genetic predisposition towards the disease. Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) may affect one side of the hip only, or both (bilaterial CHD).
Due to the weak supporting structures, the two bones of the ball and socket joint are not held in place and actually move apart. The joint capsule and the ligament between the two bones stretch, causing the joint to become unstable. As a result, the surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. The slight separation of the two bones of the joint is called “subluxation,” which leads to all of the problems associated with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD).
When the two bones within the joint lose their normal position in relationship to one other, their articular surfaces no longer contact each other in the correct way. The surrounding muscles of the dog's joint attempt to force the bones back together but the result is never completely successful. Due to the weight of the dog with Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), the femoral head (ball) often "rides up" against the rim of the hip socket, causing both bone surfaces to be worn away so that they no longer have a perfect fit. With every movement of the dog’s leg, these two abnormal areas of bone now grind against each other instead of contacting on a smooth articular surface.
Breeds that are likely to develop hip dysplasia
The following breeds have a genetic predisposition towards developing Canine hip dysplasia (CHD)
American Bulldog
American Staffordshire Terrier
Beagle
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bloodhound
Bouvier des flandres
Boykin Spaniel
Briard
Brittany
English Bulldog
Bullmastiff
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Coonhound (Black and Tan)
Coton de Tulčar
Curly Coated Retriever
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
German Shepherd
Giant Schnauzer Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Kuvasz
Neapolitan Mastiff
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
Old English Sheepdog
Otterhund
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Portuguese Water Dog
Pudel Pointer
Pug
Rottweiler
Shih Tzu
Spanish Water Dog
St. Bernard
Staffordshire Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Corgi
Welsh Springer Spaniel
POCKET TAIL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulldogs may have a small indented area underneath the tail. It is commonly referred to as : Pocket Tail. Some Bulldogs have their tail set in this pocket. In these cases, special effort is needed to keep the pocket clean and dry. If not properly cared for, your Bulldog may end up with an infection. They can be difficult but if you are diligent about taking care of it, you can prevent any problems. Should your Bulldog be unfortunate enough to develop an infection, proper treatment will have him or her feeling better in no time.
What you need:
baby wipes (unscented with aloe work best)
diaper rash cream (such as Desitin)
medicated powder (such as Gold Bond)
What to do:
Use baby wipes to clean under the tail at least a couple of times per day. Your Bullie will most likely be licking the air while you this (normal but funny to see).
After that use unscented diaper rash creme and apply that to the raw areas, again getting under the tail as necessary. This will help to keep moisture out of the area. You may need to do this for a couple of days depending on how red/raw the area still is.
Once you have the redness and irritation under control, continue with the baby wipes but switch to the medicated powder instead of diaper rash creme to help keep the area dry. This also helps with the itching your Bullie is probably dealing with. You can just apply the powder from the container or if you'd like, you may use a small paintbrush to help you get it where it needs to be.
Within about 4-5 days your Bulldog should be back to normal (maybe sooner). You should consider making the medicated powder a weekly treatment or even more often to prevent problems in the future.
Elbow Dysphasia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An abnormal development of the elbow joint.
Elbow Subluxation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A condition where the elbow joint is loose and out of alignment.
STENOTIC NARES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stenotic nares are abnormally narrow or obstructed nostrils, especially when inhaling. Dogs with this disorder tend to breathe primarily through their mouths, because breathing through the nose is unproductive. When they do breathe through their noses, they make wheezing sounds. Stenotic nares cause the dog to inhale deeper to draw air through the nose and into the lower airway, which may contribute to the development of secondary abnormalities, such as everted laryngeal saccules and laryngeal collapse.
symptoms
The dog's nose appears narrow, with the nostril wings (alar folds) collapsing inward during inhalation and possibly blocking the nares. As noted above, the dog tends to breathe through its mouth, and makes wheezing sounds when breathing with its mouth closed. Symptoms typically include labored and constant open mouthed breathing, noisy breathing, snuffling, snorting, excessive snoring, and in severe cases, gagging, retching, exercise and/or heat intolerance, pale or bluish tongue and gums due to a lack of oxygen.
diagnosis
Stenotic nares are easily diagnosed by visual examination. In severe cases, the flow of air through the nostrils may be so poor that no air movement can be detected.
treatment
Surgery under general anesthesia is the preferred means of treating stenotic nares. The aim is to increase the size of the nostrils by removing tissue from the wings and possibly some related cartilage. Following surgery, the dog will be required to wear an Elizabethan collar to keep the surgical site clean and to protect it from rubbing.