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HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip dysplasia is the most commonly discussed problem of the breed.
To briefly explain what Hip Scoring is— The term refers to the shape and fit of the Ball of the Femur with the Socket in the Hip. The ball is to ideally fit snuggly within the socket of the hip, with a good smooth range of movement. There are varying degrees of hip dysplasia, from mild to extreme, the lowest score being 0 and the highest being 106.
Hip Dysplasia is a combination of genetic predisposition and environment. It can be caused by genetics and passed on from parents, as well as being also contributed to by a number of environmental factors such impact, trauma, mineral deficiencies, over nutrition, etc. There is no such thing as solely ‘environmental’ hip dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia is evidenced by signs of discomfort when running, standing or rising. The dog may be reluctant to rise or rises with difficulty, swaggers or sways its rear end while walking and may avoid excessive exercise, jumping or other use of its hind legs.
Scoring is done on 9 different points of the hip joint anatomy and it is necessary for the dogs pelvis to be xrayed in the correct position for scoring by experienced Veterinarians. The xrays are then forwarded to a recognised veterinary radiographer for scoring. The score is expressed as two numbers eg. 3:6 Being the total for the right hip, then left hip. Both left and right scores are added together to give an overall hip score for the dog, eg. 3+6 = Total Hip Score of 9. The LOWER the score THE BETTER the hip.
The breed average for hip scoring is around 18.45.
There are certainly a number of breeders who are hip scoring their animals, however there are also breeders who still refuse to X-ray their animals.
Unless your dog shows signs of pain or discomfort, hip dysplasia does not always mean the end for your dog. While dogs with very high score should not be used in a breeding program, they can still live a long and happy life, some without any evidence of pain.
ELBOW DYSPLASIATo briefly explain what Elbow scoring is—The term refers to Elbow Disease as a general term, to denote joint problems in growing dogs and it includes ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP) and Osteochondrosis of the medial condyle of the humerus (OCD). These are the three most important conditions although there are a number of uncommon conditions included in the term.
Like Hips, scoring is done on a number of points within the elbow xray. The score is expressed as two numbers again eg. 0:1 But can only score 0, 1, 2 or 3. 0 being a nil or perfect score, 1 being a minimal, 2 being moderate and 3 being severe. Again The LOWER the score the BETTER the elbow.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disease of the joint cartilage and is especially common in the shoulder joint, although other joints can be affected. It occurs primarily in young, fast growing dogs and appears to be more common in males. Diagnosis can only be confirmed by X-ray examination.
There are theories as to the causes but since this disorder seems to be spontaneous and not so easy to predict, no one knows for sure why some dogs get OCD and some don't. OCD can be hereditary, or a result of an unsuitable diet, or from trauma. It is much more prevalent in Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers and other large breeds. It is uncommon in the small breeds. OCD almost always shows up during the growth phase of a young dog's life... usually six to nine months of age. OCD can affect the shoulder, ankle or elbow joint.
Some people believe that an overweight, growing dog may be much more likely to acquire OCD than one that is trim. Physical impact on the limbs, such as would occur in a dog that repeatedly jumps off of a bed, deck or from the back of a truck, may be a predisposing cause. Repeated impacts to the surface of the humerus may separate the cartilage from the growing soft bone beneath.
Does diet play a role in OCD? Possibly. Diet plays a major role in everything a dog does or is. An over fed pup who is carrying more weight than normal has a greater statistical chance of developing OCD than a lean pup. That is NOT to say that you should underfeed a growing pup.
HD/OCD SUMMARY:There are no absolute outcome guarantees with regards to hip dysplasia and OCD when breeding. Using breeding stock which have low hip and elbow scores is the best solution to date, however parents with low scores have still been known to produce problematic offspring, the same can be said for the opposite, parents with high scores can produce dogs with good hips and elbows. The fact is, that reputable breeders may do the best they can to ensure good health in their dogs, but mother nature can still be unpredictable. The measure of a good breeder is how they deal with the matter should any genetic health issues arise after the puppies are sold. DEMODECTIC MANGE
Often called Demodex, is a skin disease caused by parasitic mites called Demodectic Mites. Demodectic Mites live in your dog’s skin all the time. They are year round inhabitants that do no damage unless or until your dog’s immune system is weakened or weak. When the immune system of your dog is strong and developed, it keeps the mite numbers low, preventing the small number of them in its body from doing any harm. When the immune system is weak, or weakened, the mites do their damage. You won’t even be aware of these mites being in your dogs body, until you see some symptoms. These symptoms are sometimes mistaken for a staph infection, a skin scraping at your vet may confirm the diagnosis.
The symptoms of Demodectic Mange are usually easy to spot. It shows itself in small bald patches on your Dogue, usually found near the base of the ear opening, above the eyes, the belly, paws, chest and sometimes elsewhere. The localized form of Demodex shows itself as one or a few bald spots in the "usual places" mentioned previously. The generalized form of Demodex shows itself in a greater number of bald spots, as it worsens and spreads, and is often accompanied by other infections of the skin.
There are several theories as to the causes of Demodectic Mange, and each is probably valid to one degree or another.
In terms of the Localized form, Demodex usually shows itself in between the ages of 3 and 12 months. Given the fact that Localized Demodex occurs most often at this age, it is often thought that the reason behind it is the still developing immune system of a puppy. However, it is also quite common for Demodectic Mange to show itself in a dog that has recently moved from breeder to home, or from one home to another. Because of this, it is also theorized that stress may be a cause of Demodectic Mange as well. Another factor in Demodex are other illnesses or injury, if a dog is already battling an illness or injury, the lowered immune system can allow the mange mites to increase.
In the Generalized form, Demodex may be the result of a weak immune system, genetically passed along from generation to generation and is evident in adult dogs. It appears that some bloodlines are more susceptible to skin problems than others.
As long as your Dogue does not have a genetic deficiency of its immune system, treatment of Demodectic Mange is usually successful. If there is a genetic deficiency of the immune system, Demodectic Mange can be an on-going lifelong battle that, if kept under control, can be manageable to the point where it does not become life threatening.
For the real life rescue story of Henry, who suffered from severe mange, please see the Rescue Dogue page.
CRUCIATE LIGAMENTLimping in the rear end does not always indicate hip dysplasia. The anterior cruciate ligament is an important structure in the stifle (knee) joint of the dog because it helps stabilise and strengthen the knee during movement. When the ligament ruptures (tears), it causes instability in the knee which in turn causes inflammation and damage to the joint.
The rupture can occur after a period of gradual degenerative changes in the ligament or by a traumatic accident. Dogues have been known to rupture their cruciate ligament when they go from lying down, relaxing or sleeping, to suddenly jumping up and running around the yard or playing. Their muscles and ligaments have no time to ‘warm up’, so like an athlete, they injure themselves. Slipping over is also another common cause of tearing the cruciate ligament , be wary of your dog on vinyl floors, polished timber floors and other smooth potentially slippery surfaces.
After the vet’s diagnosis, treatment often begins with anti-inflammatory medication, total rest and confinement to a crate, only allowed out of the crate on a leash. Rehabilitation may include some manipulation from a dog chiropractor. However, surgery is often required to repair the damage. The surgically repaired knee may never be as strong as it was before the rupture, and it is not uncommon for the cruciate ligament in the other knee to rupture later.
ENTROPIAN & ECTROPIANEntropian, where the eyelid, along with the eyelashes, rolls into the eye, leading to possible ulcerations of the cornea. Surgery is required to correct this condition. Ectropian, where the eyelid rolls outward, and can also causes irritation to the cornea and conjunctiva. This condition can sometimes just be cosmetic, with the eye looking red and droopy, however if there is irritation, corrective surgery may be required.
PANOPuppies may experience Eosinphilic Panosteitis, (Pano) or growing pains, or wandering lameness. Pano is an acute lameness unrelated to trauma, it shifts from one location to another and is accompanied by a fever. Panosteitis is serious and can be so painful and acute as to cause the puppy to go into shock and can result in death.
ACUTE GASTRIC DILATION(BLOAT) THIS KILLS—READ THIS
Dogue de Bordeaux can also be prone to bloat, twisting of the stomach, which could lead to death. Acute gastric dilation is usually fatal because the owners have little, if any, warnings of an impending attack. In most cases the animal is found dead, usually the next morning, with a greatly distended stomach. Most breeders agree that it is recommended not to feed your dogue immediately before or after exercise .
The conclusion drawn by Veterinarians is that a blockage occurs somewhere in the stomach or intestines and the consequent fermentation of food produced gasses which could not escape.
However I have known cases where a dogue has suffered from Bloat but had not been fed that day. Stress is also said to be a possible cause. Although the breed can be affected by bloat, it is not overly common, so nothing to panic about, but merely to be aware of the condition, take steps to minimize any occurrence and recognize the symptoms should it occur.
The Symptoms of Bloat are:- · Gagging, unproductive attempts to vomit · Foamy/slimy mucous around mouth and lips (or vomiting this substance) · Distended (hard) abdomen that sounds hollow when tapped · Accelerated heartbeat and a weakened pulse · Anxiety or restlessness, whining · Pacing, refusal to lie down · Heavy panting, salivating or drooling · Discoloured gums (very red in early stages, blue or white in late stages) · Weakness & collapse
You don’t have time to waste with BLOAT—your dog could have as little as 30-45 minutes to live after you identify the symptoms. Don’t hesitate in getting to a vet.
There are 3 related conditions when referring to BLOAT
Condition 1. When the stomach fills up with gas and fluid—swelling of the dogs stomach, excessive salivation, restlessness, wrenching (trying to vomit) stomach pain. The dog may moan when touching its stomach. If your dog can burp or vomit then its unlikely that the stomach is twisted. Some say to keep walking your dog to encourage him to burp. If you are ever in any doubt or your dog cannot burp, go to your vet straight away.
Condition 2. This is the same as above but if the dog is unable to find any relief, his stomach continues to dilate. This is very serious and should be treated by a vet immediately as the stomach can twist in a matter of moments and then there is serious risk of internal organs being damaged. The vet may be able to tell by anaesthetising the dog and passing a stomach tube.
Condition 3. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus like above VERY SERIOUS SURGERY IS NEEDED
Why does it happen? know one knows for sure, it tends to be more apparent in the larger, deep chested breeds.
These are only precautions and not preventatives. · Feeding your dog. Don’t give your dog just one huge meal, try and split the meals into several small meals throughout the day. · Don’t exercise your dog after or just before a meal or drink large amounts of water after a meal. · Dry biscuits swell to at least twice the size once they are in the dogs stomach! Soak the dogs biscuits before feeding him so they are already swollen. Especially if you have a greedy dog that eats until he is full to the brim. If you soak the food before hand they it get no bigger than it was when it went in. · Some people recommend elevating their food bowl. Not too high that they have stretch for their food but a comfortable height to prevent them gulping large amounts of air with their food. However, some recent research shows that this is not of benefit. · Never allow you dog to eat bread dough or anything that contains un-cooked yeast.
IMMUNE DEFICIENCY AND CANCER (LYPHOMA)Some Dogue de Bordeaux can be prone to low immune systems. A quality diet and healthy lifestyle for the dog is required to maintain it in it’s best condition. This may hopefully avoid any rise of immune deficiency usually due to poor management by owners.
Any Dogue that shows signs of continued poor health, undiagnosed allergies or illness should NEVER be bred from. If a condition is being controlled by medication it is still a problem and that dogue should NOT be bred from.
Coming from a relatively small gene pool, the Dogue de Bordeaux breed has been limited in it’s history in selecting suitably compatible and 100% healthy breeding partners. Something that is almost impossible is a rare breed especially one that almost was killed out.
Immune deficiency is an issue that all Dogue owners and other rare dog breeders need to be aware of and need to be willing to address if it arises. Genetically, environmentally, medically, nutritionally and holistically.
Canine cancer is an immune dysfunction disease. It is a failure of the body to recognize irregular cells as invaders. The lymph system is the body's "other" circulatory system, circulating white blood cells and most importantly, lymphocytes. These are specialized cells involved in immune function found throughout the body. In normal healthy dogs, these cells are manufactured in the bone marrow, go through a life span of around 30 days, and then die off and are re-absorbed into the body or eliminated through the waste channels.
In Lymphoma, the regulation of production is lost and these cells proliferate in large number, or they lose their programmed life cycle and continue to live on, overwhelming the other blood cells. High white blood cell count and swollen lymph glands are the characteristic signs of this disease, followed by lethargy, loss of appetite and leading eventually to death unless treated.
In most cases immune deficiency does not have to be a death sentence. But it does mean that the dog’s general health and well being may be seriously affected and without ongoing treatment, usually constant maintenance of diet and medical treatment, a Dogue may usually not survive.
HEART PROBLEMSSub Aortic, Aortic and Dilated Cardio Myopathy are becoming increasingly common heart ailments for the Dogue de Bordeaux across the world. Although not common in Australia or New Zealand as yet, the future may see reputable breeders doing echocardiograms to test the heart and it's flow of their breeding Dogues.
HEAT STROKEPLEASE, be very aware that Bordeaux's DO NOT tolerate extreme heat and should not be exercised in the hot weather. The shorter face has a large part to play in the problem. They can even suffer from a elongated soft palate, which in heat can be life threatening if they get stressed. When they stress, the membranes swell and less air gets down their throats, the dogs start to panic, and so it gets worse.
Sometimes dogs can even be rushed to the vet in what is thought to be ‘just in time’ and saved with fluids, only to have the dog die a number of hours later when it’s organs start to shut down from being ‘cooked’ from overheating earlier. |
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There are a number of health issues that can affect the breed, but these are not isolated to just the Dogue and are actually found among many well known breeds. Some issues can be tested for, while others can not, many are treatable or operable. NO breeder can ever say that they have no health problems - something may arise one day through no fault of the breeder or the dogues, and it’s how the breeder deals with the issue that is the measure of a good breeder. |
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Health Issues |
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“Henry” with severe Demodectic Mange and other health problems |
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IMPORTANT NOTE — Anyone doing health testing on their dogue, with hips and elbows being paramount, if the results are not satisfactory or if you are unsure, speak to their veterinarian for advice and/or other experienced breeders (not just the one YOU got the dog from). Get a wider opinion for breeding purposes, as it could save a lot of heartache down the track. |