Health Concerns
**Bull Terriers & Miniature Bull Terriers are NOT,
I repeat are NOT hypo-allergenic!**
This is a common question I get from interested puppy buyers. Some people solely look for a dog that can fit into their
hypo-allergenic world. If this is what you are searching for, I can assure you that the BT and MBT is not the breed for you!
I repeat are NOT hypo-allergenic!**
This is a common question I get from interested puppy buyers. Some people solely look for a dog that can fit into their
hypo-allergenic world. If this is what you are searching for, I can assure you that the BT and MBT is not the breed for you!
Heart Disease
Common terms:
-Hereditary Heart Disease is one which is passed genetically from the parents but which may not be expressed as a disease in the puppy.
-Congenital Heart Disease is one with which the puppy is born.
-Acquired Heart Disease is not present at birth but develops later, due to age.
-Murmur is the sounds of turbulence which are created by the sounds of blood hitting the closed valves or the back flow through the ventricle and may indicate the presence of heart disease.
Mitral Valve Dysplasia (MVD)- is the congenital malformation of the heart’s mitral valve. A normal mitral valve functions as a one-way valve, which flows blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Deformities in the mitral valve cause it not to shut tightly, which results in the back flow of blood into the left atrium.
Aortic Stenosis (AS)- narrowing of the aortic valve, impeding delivery of blood from the heart to the body. The signs of aortic stenosis are related to the severity of the narrowing, and range from no signs at all, to congestive heart failure, fainting, or sudden death. A heart murmur may not be present in very young puppies, but then will develop over the first 6 months of life. As heart failure progresses, the dog may develop rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and will develop exercise intolerance.
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS)- is a congenital heart defect characterized by a fibrous ridge or
ring below the aortic valve. It is often not evident at birth, but can become more obvious as the puppy gets older, generally leveling off by 1 year of age. Dogs with mild disease may live a normal life span; however dogs with more severe disease can have a significantly shorter life span and die suddenly at less than 2 years of age, or
develop congestive heart failure.
**Testing**
ECHO (Heart Echo cardiogram by Color Doppler) - The ultrasound needs to be performed by a board certified Veterinary Cardiologist. LVOT (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract) should be less than 2.2 m/sec. This can first be performed on dogs over 18 months and a test done at two years of age or older probably need not be repeated for breeding clearance unless suspected heart disease develops.
Common terms:
-Hereditary Heart Disease is one which is passed genetically from the parents but which may not be expressed as a disease in the puppy.
-Congenital Heart Disease is one with which the puppy is born.
-Acquired Heart Disease is not present at birth but develops later, due to age.
-Murmur is the sounds of turbulence which are created by the sounds of blood hitting the closed valves or the back flow through the ventricle and may indicate the presence of heart disease.
Mitral Valve Dysplasia (MVD)- is the congenital malformation of the heart’s mitral valve. A normal mitral valve functions as a one-way valve, which flows blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Deformities in the mitral valve cause it not to shut tightly, which results in the back flow of blood into the left atrium.
Aortic Stenosis (AS)- narrowing of the aortic valve, impeding delivery of blood from the heart to the body. The signs of aortic stenosis are related to the severity of the narrowing, and range from no signs at all, to congestive heart failure, fainting, or sudden death. A heart murmur may not be present in very young puppies, but then will develop over the first 6 months of life. As heart failure progresses, the dog may develop rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, and will develop exercise intolerance.
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS)- is a congenital heart defect characterized by a fibrous ridge or
ring below the aortic valve. It is often not evident at birth, but can become more obvious as the puppy gets older, generally leveling off by 1 year of age. Dogs with mild disease may live a normal life span; however dogs with more severe disease can have a significantly shorter life span and die suddenly at less than 2 years of age, or
develop congestive heart failure.
**Testing**
ECHO (Heart Echo cardiogram by Color Doppler) - The ultrasound needs to be performed by a board certified Veterinary Cardiologist. LVOT (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract) should be less than 2.2 m/sec. This can first be performed on dogs over 18 months and a test done at two years of age or older probably need not be repeated for breeding clearance unless suspected heart disease develops.
Kidney Disease
Hereditary nephritis (HN) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are often called “silent killers” because dogs may exhibit no symptoms until their kidneys have failed. HN is tested with a urine screening; PKD requires a kidney ultrasound.
**Testing**
UPC (Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio)- A urinalysis specifically measuring the ratio of protein to creatinine in the urine. This urinalysis should be performed at 18 months old and on an annual basis throughout the remainder of the dogs life. There are several different acceptable ratios from 0.5-0.2 If the UPC ratio is above 0.2 (some say 0.3) further testing should be done. The BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) test should be run if UPC results come back above 0.2 to rule out kidney disease.
**Additional testing**
PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) - an ultrasound is performed on the dogs kidneys and must be done by a licensed veterinarian.
Hereditary nephritis (HN) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are often called “silent killers” because dogs may exhibit no symptoms until their kidneys have failed. HN is tested with a urine screening; PKD requires a kidney ultrasound.
**Testing**
UPC (Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio)- A urinalysis specifically measuring the ratio of protein to creatinine in the urine. This urinalysis should be performed at 18 months old and on an annual basis throughout the remainder of the dogs life. There are several different acceptable ratios from 0.5-0.2 If the UPC ratio is above 0.2 (some say 0.3) further testing should be done. The BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) test should be run if UPC results come back above 0.2 to rule out kidney disease.
**Additional testing**
PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) - an ultrasound is performed on the dogs kidneys and must be done by a licensed veterinarian.
Deafness
Although usually associated with white dogs, colored dogs have been known to be deaf as well. Deafness can occur in either one ear or both ears. Deafness occurring in one ear is known as unilaterally deaf, sometimes these pups are referred to as “unilaterals”. Unilaterals should not be bred from, as it is considered likely that they may pass on this gene to their offspring and may produce either totally or partially deaf puppies.
**Testing**
BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test for normal hearing in each ear through small electrodes performed by a specialist. This test may be given to puppies after six weeks of age but some studies show that repeating a negative test after 12 weeks of age has presented a normal finding.
Although usually associated with white dogs, colored dogs have been known to be deaf as well. Deafness can occur in either one ear or both ears. Deafness occurring in one ear is known as unilaterally deaf, sometimes these pups are referred to as “unilaterals”. Unilaterals should not be bred from, as it is considered likely that they may pass on this gene to their offspring and may produce either totally or partially deaf puppies.
**Testing**
BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test for normal hearing in each ear through small electrodes performed by a specialist. This test may be given to puppies after six weeks of age but some studies show that repeating a negative test after 12 weeks of age has presented a normal finding.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
PLL has been diagnosed in a couple BTs, but mostly this a disease that affects MBTs. Primary Lens Luxation is a hereditary defect that destroys the fibers holding the lens of the eye in place. The lens shifts out of place, causing sudden and painful blindness. The genetic mutation responsible for the condition has been identified. PLL Clear dogs will not develop the condition. PLL Carrier dogs have an extremely low risk of it and may pass the mutation on to their offspring. PLL Affected dogs are likely to develop PLL and definitely will pass the mutation to their puppies.
**Testing**
DNA swab test can be ordered from OFA and easily performed by the owner. This test only needs to be completed once during the dogs lifetime.
**Additional testing**
CERF Exam (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) - eye exam performed by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Each exam is good for 12 months it should be performed yearly. The exam checks for any inheritable eye diseases. This test should be performed on all MBTs that are "carriers" and "at risk" for PLL.
PLL has been diagnosed in a couple BTs, but mostly this a disease that affects MBTs. Primary Lens Luxation is a hereditary defect that destroys the fibers holding the lens of the eye in place. The lens shifts out of place, causing sudden and painful blindness. The genetic mutation responsible for the condition has been identified. PLL Clear dogs will not develop the condition. PLL Carrier dogs have an extremely low risk of it and may pass the mutation on to their offspring. PLL Affected dogs are likely to develop PLL and definitely will pass the mutation to their puppies.
**Testing**
DNA swab test can be ordered from OFA and easily performed by the owner. This test only needs to be completed once during the dogs lifetime.
**Additional testing**
CERF Exam (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) - eye exam performed by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. Each exam is good for 12 months it should be performed yearly. The exam checks for any inheritable eye diseases. This test should be performed on all MBTs that are "carriers" and "at risk" for PLL.
Laryngeal Paralysis (LP)
This is a disease which causes difficulty in breathing in affected dogs and in the most severe cases can cause death by suffocation. A most distressing event for both MBT and owner. For some time it was thought that Laryngeal Paralysis in the MBT and other small dogs was quite rare but this disease is more prevalent than previously suspected. It is thought to be inherited, but it is not yet fully understood, scientifically.
**Testing**
A DNA test is available through Labogen in Germany and also available at VetGen in Michigan.
This is a disease which causes difficulty in breathing in affected dogs and in the most severe cases can cause death by suffocation. A most distressing event for both MBT and owner. For some time it was thought that Laryngeal Paralysis in the MBT and other small dogs was quite rare but this disease is more prevalent than previously suspected. It is thought to be inherited, but it is not yet fully understood, scientifically.
**Testing**
A DNA test is available through Labogen in Germany and also available at VetGen in Michigan.
Lethal Acrodermatitis (LAD)
A lethal breed specific genetic disease of Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers. Clinical signs usually present in puppies, with growth retardation, acrodermatitis, purulent dermatitis and paronychia. Affected pups can also exhibit abnormal behavior and diarrhea, though not all of these symptoms are present in all afflicted pups. Skin lesions begin as areas of moderate hyperkeratosis and progress to severe hyperkeratosis with secondary bacterial and yeast infections. The muzzle, lips and feet areas have thick adherent scale with brown yellow crusts.
**Testing**
Genetic testing for LAD by DNA cheek swab is available through Animal Health Trust in the UK , U Penn & GenSol Diagnostics. This will help to avoid the non intentional breeding of affected puppies.
A lethal breed specific genetic disease of Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers. Clinical signs usually present in puppies, with growth retardation, acrodermatitis, purulent dermatitis and paronychia. Affected pups can also exhibit abnormal behavior and diarrhea, though not all of these symptoms are present in all afflicted pups. Skin lesions begin as areas of moderate hyperkeratosis and progress to severe hyperkeratosis with secondary bacterial and yeast infections. The muzzle, lips and feet areas have thick adherent scale with brown yellow crusts.
**Testing**
Genetic testing for LAD by DNA cheek swab is available through Animal Health Trust in the UK , U Penn & GenSol Diagnostics. This will help to avoid the non intentional breeding of affected puppies.
Patella Luxation
The patella, or kneecap, can slip out of place, causing the dog pain while walking.
**Testing**
Exam by licensed veterinarian. In some cases, surgery may be required if luxation is present.
The patella, or kneecap, can slip out of place, causing the dog pain while walking.
**Testing**
Exam by licensed veterinarian. In some cases, surgery may be required if luxation is present.
Skin Issues (Allergies)
Skin issues are a very common problem with both BTs and MBTs. Often times these issues don't present themselves until the dog reaches a year of age or sometimes older.
The three main causes are:
Check with your veterinarian for recommendations on allergy testing.
Skin issues are a very common problem with both BTs and MBTs. Often times these issues don't present themselves until the dog reaches a year of age or sometimes older.
The three main causes are:
- Nutrition
- Parasites
- Environment
- red or raw paws, redness between the toes and under pads caused by excessive licking and biting
- ear infections
- red belly, inner thighs and inner elbow region
- hair loss
- lesions and inflamed areas on different parts of the skin
Check with your veterinarian for recommendations on allergy testing.