Make Sure You're Familiar with English Bulldog Health Problems

Before you bring one of these oddly-shaped yet incredibly charming dogs home, you need to become familiar with the long list of English Bulldog health problems you may end up facing. The peculiar way that their head and body is shaped makes them more susceptible to certain health concerns and there are many hereditary issues you could have to deal with as well.

Educating yourself on the signs and symptoms associated with English Bulldog health problems will ensure that you'll be able to recognize when your dog needs medical attention.

Brachycephalic Upper Airway Syndrome

Various levels of this syndrome are seen in these dogs. The condition results in decreased tolerance to heat, exercise and excitement because they have narrowed air passages. Symptoms include open mouth breathing, exercise intolerance, panting, vomiting and extreme snoring.

Gastric Torsion and Bloat

These are potential fatal English Bulldog health problems because the stomach can fill with air, turn and then cut off important blood supplies. When this happens, the dog deteriorates fast and can suffer an extremely painful death within hours. Elevated feeders are said to reduce the risk of swallowing excessive amounts of air and avoiding exercise directly after mealtime is recommended as well.

Elbow Dysplasia

Here's another one of the more painful English Bulldog health problems. This is a genetic condition similar to arthritis that can result in lameness in some and a crippling disease in others.

Dermatitis, Pyoderma and Staph

These English Bulldog health problems are all skin-related infections. Skin fold pyoderma is typically found on the dog's face, under the screw tail and around the vulva on females. Scaling, crustiness, hair loss and a foul smell are common symptoms. If left to progress, mange can be the result. Staph bacteria can range from being a surface to a very deep infection that usually begins as an irritation. When left untreated, bacteria attacks the skin, commonly seen in the skin folds.

Eye Concerns

English Bulldog health problems include a long list of eye issues, some inherited, others are not.

• Cataracts – The lens of the dog's eye changes, resulting in cloudiness which can lead to blindness.

• Ectropian – The eyelids roll outward with this condition, usually the result of irresponsible breeding practices of those trying to exaggerate natural traits.

• Entropian – Opposite of the condition above, the lids roll in which causes constant irritation.

• Cherry Eye – The third eyelid protrudes with this condition which can be quite unattractive.

Mouth and Teeth

The oversized head and jaw shape also add to the list of English Bulldog health problems. Common issues include:

• Elongated Soft Palate – When the soft palate is longer than it should be, breathing disorders are resulted.

• Cleft Palate – With this condition, the roof of the dog's mouth doesn't close, allowing the inner portion of the nose to open up into the mouth.

• Cleft Lip – Often seen alongside the cleft palate, the upper lip is split in two and does not join together the way that it should.

Hypothyroidism

Most commonly seen in dogs older than four years old, hypothyroidism results when the production as well as secretion of thyroid hormones is impaired. In most cases, this condition is the direct result of the dog's immune system destroying the thyroid gland cells. Symptoms include mental dullness, hair loss, weight gain, dry hair, hyper-pigmentation of the skin, excessive shedding, cold intolerance, slow heart rate, anemia and high blood cholesterol.

Hypothyroidism is one of the more dangerous English Bulldog health problems, it is important that the dog be examined as soon as symptoms are noticed before the condition has time to progress.

Related Articles:

Do English Bulldogs Shed? Not as Much as They Slobber!

Is English Bulldog Temperament as Dangerous as You've Heard?

English Bulldog Information – One of the Most Historical Breeds

Maximizing the Short English Bulldog Life Expectancy