BREED SPECIFIC PROBLEMS IN DOGS

• Boston Terrier, Pug/French Bulldog/any mixes including these (puggle etc):
• Dry Eye- Don’t produce enough tears and require life long medication to treat
• Corneal ulcers- damage to the cornea that requires treatment and can result in loss of vision or of eye itself
• Facial fold dermatitis- infections in the folds of the face. Require treatment and lifelong cleaning of the facial folds

• Golden Retriever/Labrador Retriever:
• Allergies- usually involves itchy skin, secondary infections, ear infections
• Weight gain- can lead to severe problems such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, torn cruciate/other ligaments, endocrine disease, spinal disk injuries
• Cancer- usually involving the liver or spleen. Can cause sudden bleeding into the abdomen which will cause pet to have pale gum color and become suddenly lethargic. Must seek vet care immediately if this is seen

• Bulldogs/brachycephalic breeds (shortened muzzle):
• Brachycephalic syndrome- small nostril openings making breathing more difficult, too long of a palate causing problems with breathing especially when excited. Surgery is available for this problem to help improve breathing, quality, and longevity of life.

• Small Terriers:
• Pancreatitis- inflammation of the pancreas often caused by fatty treats/meals or stress. Can range from minor requiring only a few days of intravenous fluids to severe requiring weeks in hospital. Advise not feeding any fatty meals to these breeds.

• Large breed dogs (Rottweilers, St. Bernards etc.)
• Bone Cancer- usually found in the limbs. The first sign is usually pain on touching the leg, limping, and lethargy.

• Boxers, Doberman Pincers, King Charles Cavalier Spaniels
• Heart Disease- These breeds commonly can develop heart disease at any point in their lives. It can range from mild to severe and usually requires medication daily.

All breeds have the potential for being excellent pets. It is, however, an excellent idea to know the potential problems that you may need to deal with before bringing a pet into your family.

Provided by:

Somerset Veterinary Group

908.725.1800