Common Health Problems

Hip Dysplasia-- Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic, painful, crippling disease that causes a dog's hip to weaken, deteriorate, and become arthritic. The hip joint is a ball and socket type join. When a dog is afflicted with hip dysplasia, the head of the animal's femur (thigh bone) does not fit properly into the socket called the acetabulum. In puppies, normal hips undergo structural changes that result in joint laxity and an increase in joint fluid. Swelling, fraying and rupture of the round ligament follows. Abnormal motion of the hip results in excessive "wear and tear" on the joint leading to arthritis, and hip dysplasia. Other joint problems found in the breed include degenerative joint disease (DJD) and elbow joint abnormalities. Symptoms of joint problems include pain when walking or sitting, stiffness, limping, and an unstable gate.

Gastric Torsion ("Bloat")-- Is a serious, life threatening condition of large breed dogs. While the diagnosis is simple, the pathological changes in the dog's body make the treatment complicated, expensive, and not always successful. Large, deep-chested dogs that usually eat once a day and are in the habit of bolting food, gulping air, drinking large amounts of water immediately after eating, and exercising vigorously after eating are more prone to bloat than others. Simple gastric distention can occur in any breed or age of dog and is common in young puppies that overeat. This is sometimes referred to by laymen as pre-bloat. Belching of gas or vomiting food usually relieves the problem. Clearly, prevention is wisest. Feed two meals daily and discourage rapid eating. Do not allow vigorous exercise for two hours after a meal. Symptoms include looking back at the stomach and signs of obvious pain. The belly will look swollen. Immediate surgery is required to save the dog's life by untwisting the bowls and relieving the pressure caused by gas buildup.

Demodex Mange (Red mange)-- Demodicosis is a condition seen in both dogs and cats and is caused by different species of Demodex mites. It is interesting to note that Demodex mites are found on the skin of all normal animals, including people, and usually exist in small numbers within the hair follicles. Demodex mange is therefore not considered contagious since all animals have these mites. Animals are not born with these mites but acquire them from their mothers in the first few days of life, during the nursing process. If Demodex mites are present on all animals, why do some animals develop demodectic mange and most do not? Animals with Demodex mange may have an inherited or acquired immune defect that fails to keep the numbers of mites in check. The result is a mite population explosion which not only crowds the hairs within the hair follicles and results in bacterial infections, but the mites produce other substances that then compromise the immune system and perpetuate the infestation. The proliferation of mites is therefore an effect, rather than a cause of the condition. Our attention should always be focussed on the cause of the immune deficit rather than merely how to get rid of the mites. In young animals, which are most commonly affected with Demodex mange, the condition likely reflects an inherited incompetence of the immune system. However, emotionally trying situations (i.e. shipping) and hormone fluctuations (i.e. first heat cycle in females) in growing dogs can cause an outbreak of Demodex mange. These temporary stresses to the immune system, once removed, return the dog to good health. There are two forms of Demodex mange, localized and generalized. Localized demodicosis only occurs on the face and the front legs or toes in small patches. This type of mange can be stress-induced as in the examples mentioned above. Generalized demodicosis occurs all over the dog and is considered the most serious form as it signals a true problem with the animal's immune system. Symptoms of Demodex mange include red, itchy patches where the hair is missing. A skin scrape is done by the vet to check for the presence of mites. Treatment for both forms of Demodex mange involves dipping the dog with Mitaban, although holistic treatments are also available.

Eyelid Abnormalities-- The Cane Corso is a breed of mastiff and thus has eye problems common to its other molosser relatives. The most common defects are entropion, ectropion, and glandular hypertrophy ("cherry eye"). Entropion is the inward curling of the eyelid so that the lashes scratch the cornea and cause irritation and eventual scarring and ulceration. It occurs when the eyeball is too small for the socket and the lids roll in toward the eye. Symptoms include red, irritated eyes, tear stains on the face, and constant watering of the eyes. Entropion is hereditary (a dominant autosomal gene) and usually affects the lower lid, but the upper lid may also be affected. One or both eyes may have the condition. Surgery is required to correct the lid and save the cornea from scarring. Ectropion is the opposite of entropion and involves the lower eyelid rolling out, exposing the sensitive tissues beneath. The exposed tissue of the 3rd eyelid often becomes inflamed and infected, causing a condition known as "exposure conjunctivitis." Dogs (especially those with heavy facial wrinkles) are either born with it, or it may occur as the result of an injury or scarring from previous surgical procedures. The sad look of the Basset Hound, Bloodhound, and the Saint Bernard is due to this condition. Often in the correction of entropion, some degree of ectropion occurs. Ectropion may even occur in conjunction with entropion where the upper lid rolls in while the lower lid droops down. Though unattractive, ectropion is not dangerous to the dog’s health unless infection occurs. When the gland of the 3rd eyelid becomes inflamed, swollen, and protrudes from the lower lid, the condition is known as glandular hypertrophy. It is often referred to as "cherry eye" due to its resemblance to the fruit. It can occur in one or both eyes and usually occurs in dogs under one year of age. It can be quite frightening to a pet owner when seen for the first time. There are three treatment choices: 1.) leave it alone and hope it falls back into place after the irritation has passed; 2.) remove the gland; and 3.) surgically reposition the gland and tack it down. If the gland is tacked back into place and pops out again, total removal is the only alternative.