The English Bulldog is a wrinkled, charming dog with a lot of character. For some reason, they’re lovable since they’re always looking cranky. Even so, selective breeding can expose them to risk for significant health issues because of their distinctive appearance.
If you’ve ever owned an English Bulldog, you’ve heard them gasp, snore, or pant severely at some point. Health problems in your dog might range from respiratory difficulties to bone deformities.
Understanding the most frequent health problems that English Bulldogs face and the best ways to address and avoid them is critical. It’s time to spoil your beloved canine part of the family. When a pet dog dies, it is hurtful and somewhat related to this book, The Curious Incident of the Dog.
The distinctive traits of the English Bulldog, such as its exaggeratedly thick snout, stocky build, deep facial folds, and projecting lower jaw, make it a valued pet. Researchers in the United Kingdom have discovered a correlation between these attractive characteristics and significant health and welfare issues, including skin and ear infections, vision ailments, and breathing difficulties.
According to Gizmodo’s Ed Cara, bulldogs are 30 times more likely to suffer from health problems than other breeds, but experts think it is feasible to create healthier bulldogs. Royal Veterinary College (RVC) researchers near London have released studies on canine medicine and genetics.
Let’s Talk about a Brief History
Hundreds of years ago, bulldogs were initially developed for bull baiting in England because they were powerful and frequently nasty, according to CNN’s Lianne Kolirin. They were also famous for dog fighting because of their power and viciousness. When dogfighting was forbidden in 1835, the breed was on the verge of extinction.
According to historical records, the English Bulldog first appeared in the early 1600s. In Asia, mastiff-type canines bred for power and aggression are said to have been its forebears.
Breeders manipulated the dog’s appearance from that of a strong, ferocious “bull baiter” in England’s bull rings to the iconic household pet it is today through several artificial genetic bottlenecks — severe reductions in the size of the gene pool. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed for the first time in 1886.
Health Ailments of Bull Dogs
According to CNN, bulldogs are twice as likely to acquire a health ailment in a year.
For example, skin fold dermatitis was 38 times more common in bulldogs than in other species. Some of the health conditions that plague bulldogs are:
1. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
Every English Bulldog has Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS) to some degree. BAS is widespread in animals with a pushed-in nose because of their shorter facial characteristics. Their faces have shorter bones and narrower noses, which puts them at risk for various health issues. “The neck and respiratory passageways in these dogs are typically small or flattened,” says the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
- Panting and difficulty breathing
- Unrelenting annoyance
- Indifference to physical exertion
- Problems with food intake
- Obesity exacerbates the symptoms of Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in dogs. Thus a good diet and regular weight checks can help. BAS can be controlled by avoiding stress, overheating, and frequent exercise in dogs of Brachycephalic breeds with moderate symptoms.
2. Common Allergies
In terms of allergies, bulldogs are by far the most common breed.
Allergies to Food
Bulldogs are particularly susceptible to food allergies. In addition to itchiness on the skin and fecal problems, excessive shedding, and ear infections, there are other symptoms. Many allergies in English Bulldogs may be traced back to low-quality food brands.
To prevent bulldog allergies, consult your veterinarian about the most satisfactory food brands to steer clear of wheat, corn, soy, and other artificial substances. Choosing the correct meal for an English Bulldog might help prevent gassiness.
Lucy Pet’s minimal ingredient dog food alternatives are ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs since they include just the right amount of critical nutrients.
Dermal Allergies
English Bulldogs are susceptible to allergic dermatitis, which can lead to skin infections. Flea bites or environmental allergens like pollen and mold may cause your dog to have an adverse reaction.
A dog’s scratching and ripping of the skin might lead to additional infection and worsen skin allergy symptoms. Irritation of the skin should be addressed as soon as feasible.
3. Eye Ailes
Refractive Error
Old English Bulldog health difficulties, such as visual impairments, can occur as a dog ages. The Cherry Eye is the most frequent eyesight impairment in English Bulldogs.
An expansion of the third eyelid gland causes Cherry eye, which is a “very modest discomfort.” If you’ve never seen one before, it appears like an eyelid pimple on the outer corner of your eye.
Brachycephalic Ocular Illness
The English Bulldog’s malformation of the face also affects its eyes. Bulldogs are prone to various eye problems because their eyes are so small. Preventing ocular illness may be as simple as giving your bully’s eyes a little TLC daily.
Most issues arise because of your dog’s shallow eyes, so clean them periodically with a bulldog-specific eyesight medicine. Be on the lookout for signs of an eye infection, such as red, watery eyes, or discharge
Dry Eye
Bulldogs are prone to dry eye due to a reduction in aqueous fluid, an essential component of tears. A lack of tears can cause discomfort and lead to more severe eye disorders because tears remove pollutants from the eyes.
Ailment’s Side effects on Bull Dogs
In addition to causing the puppies and their owners worry, these issues also decrease the lifespans of the animals. The average age of the bulldogs in the study was just eight years old.
A short snout and a short nose are two American Kennel Club’s official bulldog requirements. Another is having well-rounded cheeks. Massive, square, and undershot jaws are desirable in dogs. The lower jaw should extend forward of the upper in a forward-facing position.
As a result of the research conducted by vets, future English bulldogs will have a longer face, a trimmer head, and no skin wrinkles, according to the study’s findings. Dog owners and the general public are urged to rethink acquiring a bulldog with unhealthy or damaging physical traits if they are concerned about their Bulldog’s health and well-being.
Dan O’Neill – Animal Epidemiologist
Dan O’Neill is an expert in companion animal epidemiology at RVC. He believes that “every dog ought to be born with equal and good intrinsic health by having the natural potential to breathe freely, blink entirely, exercise effortlessly, have healthy flat skin, mate and give birth.”
O’Neill is the study’s principal author. The public plays a significant role in breeds like the English Bulldog, where many dogs still have severe conformations with poor intrinsic health. Potential flat-faced dog owners should “stop and consider before purchasing one to avoid disappointment.”
Let’s Wrap it!
Because of this information, you can do something about it, even if you don’t like the English Bulldog breed. It is possible to control and treat these frequent health problems using preventative measures, early identification, and veterinary knowledge.
Author Bio
Maggie Jackson
Maggie got her degree in Technology and pursued her career in the same field. From traditional communication technologies to newer cloud platforms, she has covered almost everything in her research. She has a keen eye on multiple Tech Giants in Silicon Valley. Maggie is also a fun-loving person with a massive passion for lifestyle and fashion. She also has an interest in health and fitness.
photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/EQ_9CkVhgj8
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