Our goal is to raise healthy puppies, nothing is more important. All of our
foundation dogs were carefully selected and/or bred in accordance with the AKC
Standard in mind. We are constantly striving to improve our breeding program. We
do not practice breeding dogs with known major health issues, such as Dysplasia
or skin problems. Bull Dog health is a continuous challenge. They are prone to
allergies to food, insect bites, grass, smoke and other irritants. We recommend
feeding Bull Dogs Premium Dog Foods such as: Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Pro Plan.
There are many brands of dog foods marketed today. Bull Dogs seem to have
allergies to the ingredients in cheap dog foods such as: corn, wheat, soy and
meat by products. The first ingredients need to be meat. Meat and rice formulas
are more digestible. Signs of dog food allergies are: loose stools, vomiting,
bloating, excessive gas, hair loss, excessive shedding, itchy skin, scratching
and biting or licking paws. If the food does not digest well and is not properly
absorbed in the Intestinal Tract it can lead to an over production of “Candida”
or “Yeast”, bacterial infections in the intestines, and other problems related
to poor absorption of nutrients. These problems can be displayed with the
previously listed allergic symptoms.
These absorption problems in the Intestinal Tract can directly affect the dogs
immune system. When the immune system weakens, the body can not fight infection,
thus leaving your dog vulnerable to Demodectic Mange, infections, and excessive
yeast production. Some of the Intestinal Problems are called Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, Torsion, Bloat, Excessive Gas, and Leaky Gut Syndrome. There are
supplements available to help control these symptoms: Digestive Enzymes and
herbal products to assist in the digestion and proper absorption of nutrients
and to promote a healthy immune system. We recommend Nzymes Products. Please
visit this web site http://nzymes.com
There are many good articles about food allergies, Leaky Gut Syndrome and
Irritable Bowel Syndrome in dogs, plus testimonials of dog owners that have used
these products. We also recommend Fish Oil supplements for the skin and coat,
they are a good source of the Omega Fatty Acids.
English Bull Dog Facts And Tips
1. What is Cherry Eye? It is a protruding gland
that is located in the base of the third eyelid. Bull Dogs are predisposed to a
weakness in the connective tissue attachment of the gland. It usually occurs
from stress or irritation. It is important to get it treated as soon as it
occurs, to prevent infection or damage to the eye. Treatment: Surgical
procedure, in which the dog goes home the same day with antibiotic ointment in
the affected eye.
2. Do Bull Dogs have problems breathing? Bull Dogs
are a “Brachiocephalic” breed or “short nosed” breed. Dogs do not sweat to cool
themselves, but rely on panting to help expel excess heat. The short nosed
breeds do not benefit from panting as much as other breeds and thus are not able
to take in as much oxygen. Since they are not able to take in a sufficient
supply of oxygen, they are more prone to over heating, heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Bull Dogs also have a small “trachea” or “wind pipe” which can
contribute to compromised respirations.
3. Why do Bull Dogs snore or have noisy breathing?
All your “Brachiocephalic” breeds have a degree of air way obstruction. They
breath out of their mouth, snorting and snoring. Exercise, excitability and heat
can make breathing louder. This noisy breathing is caused by an “Elongated
Palate”, which partially blocks the opening into the voice box. If the breathing
becomes difficult, there is Surgical Treatment available. Treatment for
difficulty in breathing when a Vet is not immediately available, give the dog a
mild sedative and put him in a cool humid atmosphere. It is extremely advisable
to take them to an experience Bull Dog Vet.
4. What is Luxating Patella? Its is a dislocation
of the knee-cap. It can result from congenital causes from birth or trauma.
Diagnosis is made my physical examination and x-rays. This condition can be
treated surgically. Dogs with congenital Luxating Patella should not be bred.
This trait can be passed on to offspring.
5. What is Hip Dysplasia? It is a debilitating developmental joint
disease in dogs. It is most often seen in large breeds of dogs and seems to run
in many canine bloodlines. Dogs with known Hip Dysplasia should not be bred,
because this trait is passed on to the offspring. Early/Mild Dysplasia with no
degenerative changes can often be treated with corrective surgery.
Moderate/Severe Dysplasia can benefit from corrective surgery to eliminate pain.
Severe Hip Dysplasia is common in older dogs with arthritis and progressive
deterioration of the hip joint that has gone untreated. Signs of Hip Dysphasia :
reluctant to jump or rise from rear legs, abnormal locomotion and may hesitate
to climb and descend stairs. Young dogs in the age range of five to ten months
may exhibit pain when hips are extended. Diagnosis is made by examination and
x-rays.
6. What is Eye Entropian? Entropian occurs when the
eyelids and eyelashes on the lid are turned in towards the cornea. Bull Dogs are
predisposed to this trait. Signs of Entropian: Tearing, pain, exposure of the
third eyelid (a pain response) and keeping the eye more closed will occur.
Surgical treatment is available. The affected lid is sutured into the correct
position. The sutures are left in place for 8-10 days.
7. What is Demodectic Mange? It is caused by an
external parasite. All dogs have these parasites. Dogs or puppies with weakened
immune systems are more prone to Demodectic Mange. The parasites multiply and
infect the hair follicles in these immune suppressed animals. This infection
causes severe red itchy skin and hair loss. The dogs usually get a secondary
Staph infection in the affected areas from scratching and chewing. Some dogs get
severe cases that affect the entire body and others get "Hot Spots" during times
of stress; like reproductive changes (puberty, heat cycles, pregnancy and
lactation), or sickness, improper nutrition, negligence, even changes in the
seasons, (especially warmer weather) and allergies. Demodectic Mange is
treatable with Mitoban, this can only be obtained from your Vet after a Skin
Scraping is performed to diagnose the problem. Dogs with Demodectic Mange should
not be bred, it is thought to have a genetic predisposition.
8. Canine allergies: 20% of all dogs in the US have
some type of allergy. Atopic Dermititis is caused by a dogs hypersensitivity to
common substances in the environment. Insect bites, molds, pollen, dust mites,
and food are many of the substances that cause Atopic Dermitis. Signs of this
type allergy is excessive licking and chewing of the paws, abdomen and hind
quarters, also the inside of their ears my be reddened and hot to touch. There
are Inhalant Allergies from strong chemicals, smoke, pollens and molds.
9. Itchy Skin Relief: For rapid relief of itch and
inflammation, nothing matches corticosteroid hormones such as cortisone,
hydrocortisone, prednisone, and dexamethasone. Hydrocortisone cream can be
obtained at your local drug store without a prescription, the other medications
must be prescribed by your Vet.
Benadryl is a good medication to give
temporary relief of itching and the dosage can be obtained by your Vet. The Vet
will need your dogs current weight and age. There are many medicated shampoos on
the market for itchy skin, tar shampoo, oatmeal, aloevera,green tea, and
prescribed medicated shampoos from your Vet. We use Sulfadine shampoo (drug
store) and Maleseb Shampoo (obtained from Vet) to treat itchy skin. We apply the
shampoo, lather and leave on the dog for 20-30 minutes, then rinse off. This is
done once a week until the itchy skin is gone. If there are places with hair
loss we use Sulfadine Antiseptic and apply it with a cotton ball directly to the
itchy areas 2-3 times a day until healed. Sulfadine is a great antiseptic for
minor cuts and scratches. If the areas become infected (very red and draining)
the dog needs antibiotics and needs to be checked by a Vet.
10. Heat Stroke/Exhaustion: Bull Dogs are very susceptible to this
problem. Due to their physical makeup, Bull Dogs are unable to breathe as well
and cool their bodies when heated as other canines. Keep them cool!! If the
temperature is over 82 degrees they must be in air conditioning. Do Not over
exercise or leave in an automobile . Signs of Heat Exhaustion: excessive
panting, skin on the inside of their ears flushed and red, weakness, staggering,
fainting. A Heat Stroke is an emergency situation: force your dog to drink,( but
be careful not to cause him to aspirate), apply ice packs or soaked towels to
their body, then get him to a Vet as soon as possible.
11. What is Ringworm? It is a fungal infection on
the skin. The dog picks up the fungus spores from the outdoors, especially in
damp, warm climates. The area infected has a scaley appearance and can become
red with scratching. It causes circular hair loss in small affected areas, but
can increase in size to patches once scratching has occurred. Diagnosis: the Vet
exam with a special light that can detect the spores or a skin scraping.
Treatment: Antifungal creams and shampoos.Maleseb Shampoo or Antifungal shampoo
preperations from your Vet or Nizoral Shampoo(drug store). Apply and lather dog,
leave on 20-30 minutes then rinse off. Repeat weekly until the hair has grown
back and the areas are cleared up.
12. Spay or Neuter? Spaying is surgical removal of
the female dogs reproductive organs. Neutering is castration or surgical removal
of the male dogs reproductive organs. Females should be spayed by 6 months of
age or before her first heat cycle.
Males should be neutered between 6-12 months of age. These procedures usually
produce a healthier, happier pet. In male dogs it reduces problems with
territorial and sexual aggression, inappropriate urination and other undesirable
male dog behaviors. These surgical procedures require a one night stay at the
Vet.
An information resource link we
recommend is Bulldogs
World
Cajun's Dixieland Kennel
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