Diseases your Bullmastiff may suffer from. Part 3.
This article includes the information about possible diseases a
Bullmastiff may suffer from.
It is necessary to understand that it is not meant for an
inexperienced dog owner to diagnose and treat his pet. The
information presented here is for an owner to notice early rise of
illness and then to consult a vet. Only a professional veterinarian
can treat your pet.
This article covers two very
serious diseases of heart and eyes.
Heart problems:
Heart murmurs.
Cause:
- abnormal heart valve
- viral assault
Symptoms:
Heart murmurs can be congenital or acquired. It has been noticed
that congenital murmurs do not cause a problem during the dog’s
lifetime.
A vet will:
- examine a dog and if it appears that the dog is developing
normally and there are no other clinical signs of heart disease,
the murmur may be considered "innocent".
- operate a dog if these murmurs are serious.
Sub Aortic Stenosis (SAS)
is characterized by a narrowing of the outflow track from the left
ventricle of the heart to the aorta. Thankfully, SAS is a relatively
uncommon cause of a heart murmur. However, it can be life
threatening and does show up from time to time. SAS is known to be
hereditary. It is usually diagnosed with an echocardiogram and can
be treated with medications.
Cardiomyopathy - it is,
literally, "sick heart muscle".
Syptoms of SAS and Cardiomyopathy:
- weakness
- lethargy
- stunted growth
- exercise intolerance
- fainting
- abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)
A vet will:
- listen to the heart with a stethoscope
- insist on EKG and cardiac ultrasound.
A consultation with a canine cardiologist is recommended when
abnormalities are detected. Some treatments may be done by your vet.
Eye problems:
Entropion - is a
condition where the eyelid inverts, or rolls inward, causing
eyelashes and hair to rub against the cornea. It can be hereditary
as well as an acquired condition (i.e., as the result of an eye
injury).
Symptoms:
- recurrent or chronic eye discharge
- watering eyes
- irritation
A vet may insist on:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
(PRA) - is another inherited eye disorder in
which the retinas have either arrested development or early
degeneration. This is not a painful disease, and the eyes appear
normal.
Symptoms:
- reluctance to enter a dark hallway or stairwell.
A vet will insist on:
- an examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist but
unfortunately there is no treatment at this time.
The condition worsens over time and results in total blindness.
