Bullmastiff Health Issues And Symptoms – Pet Forbes

Bullmastiff Health Issues And Symptoms: Bullmastiffs are prone to some genetic diseases & health problems like Hip Dysplasia and Bloat.

Although Bullmastiff is considered a healthy dog breed they too are prone to many health concerns like any other dog breed. Some of the commonly observed health problems in Bullmastiffs are Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia, Gastric torsion or Bloat, Pulmonic stenosis, Hypothyroidism, Cystunuria, Entropion, and cancer.

Many of the diseases that Bullmastiffs are prone to are Hereditary, so if you want to own a Bullmastiff puppy then you should take it from a good reputable breeder. Bullmastiffs are also known to develop joint and bone problems like Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia. The diet of Bullmastiffs should also be monitored carefully because due to overeating many Bullmastiffs become overweighed which can cause them to become obese which further can cause problems like Bloat or Gastric torsion.

Size of Bullmastiff                              

Height

Male: 64-68 Centimeters

Female: 60-66 Centimeters

Weight

Male: 50-60 KG

Female: 45-55 KG

Lifespan of Bullmastiff

The Average Lifespan of a Bullmastiff is 7 to 10 years.

Bullmastiff Common Health Issues and Symptoms

Here we will know about the health issues commonly found in Bullmastiffs and their symptoms. The most common health issues found in Bullmastiffs are-

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Arthritis
• Pulmonic stenosis
• Gastric torsion or Bloat
• Cystinuria
• Hypothyroidism
• Entropion
• Lymphoma

Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia in Bullmastiffs-

Dysplasia is one of the most common joint issues found in dogs. It is usually found in large-sized dog breeds but any size dog breed can be affected. Old-age dogs are more prone to this condition. Bullmastiffs are prone to Hip dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia: It is the most common joint issue in dogs, especially of large size. Hip dysplasia is caused by the irregular formation of the Hip joint.  It is formed when the hip socket doesn’t form correctly. This condition results in high pain and lameness.

Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia is the same as Hip dysplasia and same as Hip dysplasia large-sized dog breeds are more prone to it. caused by irregular growth of the Elbow joint of the dog. This condition also causes pain and lameness.

Symptoms of Elbow Dysplasia and Hip Dysplasia in Bullmastiffs

• Lameness- This Health problem causes an abnormal stance in the dog.
• Pain- This joint issue also causes high pain in the joint of the dog, you may also observe your dog responding to touch on the joint area. You may also hear your dog whining due to high pain.
• Decreased activity and reduced motion- Due to high pain you will observe that the activity level of your dog will get decreased.
• Rigidity- Dysplasia also causes rigidity in joints.
• Looseness of joint- The joint may become loose and the muscles around the joint area will also get loose.

Arthritis in Bullmastiffs

Many dogs get affected by this joint issue, mostly older dogs get affected. Bullmastiff is not the only dog breed that gets affected by this health problem, but many dog breeds are also prone to this health issue.

Arthritis is the forming of chronic joint inflammation which usually affects older dogs. it causes problems while walking or moving. It is caused by growth or damage to the cartilage.  Whenever an owner observes any following symptoms in his dog then he should immediately take him to a Vet.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Bullmastiff

• Swelling around joints
• Pain in joints
• An affected dog will face difficulties in getting up from the lying position.
• Difficulty in walking and moving.
• Rigidity and stiffness

Pulmonic Stenosis in Bullmastiffs

Pulmonic Stenosis is one of the common heart problems in dogs however this health problem is not so common. Unfortunately, Bullmastiffs are prone to this heart disease. This Health issue is congenital which means it is present by birth. This disease causes an obstruction in the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs. This is a very serious health problem that can cause heart failure and collapse.

Symptoms of Pulmonic Stenosis in Bullmastiffs

• Breathing Problems- This disease can cause difficulty in the breathing of your dog.
• Intolerant to exercise- Due to breathing problems an affected dog would be exercise intolerant.
• Bloating- Pulmonic stenosis can also cause problems like Bloating.

Bloat (Gastric torsion) in Bullmastiffs

Bloat is one of the most common health problems in dogs. Almost all dog breeds of any size can have bloat or gastric torsion. If not treated properly it can also kill your dog, during bloat the owner of the dog should act quickly to it. It occurs when the stomach of a dog gets inflated or bloated with gas.  This can also cause breathing problems and can also affect blood circulation. After identifying Bloat in a dog, he should be given medical treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Bloat (Gastric torsion) in Bullmastiffs

• Bloated stomach: It is the main symptom of Gastric torsion, the stomach of the dog gets inflated with gas.
• Whining: You may also hear your dog whining because of being uncomfortable.
• Restlessness: You may also observe that the dog will become anxious and he may find difficulty in getting into the lying position.
• Unable to vomit- The dog will try to vomit but will fail and you may also observe too much foamy saliva in the mouth of your dog.

Cystinuria in Bullmastiffs

Cystinuria is a genetic health problem that prevents the dog to filter cystine from his urine forming Cystine stones in the Bladder, Ureter, or Kidney. It usually develops in dogs that age around 5 years, it also develops in the initial months of dog age.

Symptoms of Cystinuria in Bullmastiffs

•  Blood in urine
• Pain while urinating
• Urinating frequently

Hypothyroidism in Bullmastiffs

In Hypothyroidism the thyroid gland present in the neck didn’t produce enough thyroid hormone called thyroxine. It can occur in any dog breed. The reason may be swollen or shrank thyroid gland or it can also be caused by the immune system.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Bullmastiff

• Loss of Appetite- You may observe less appetite than normal.
• Hair problems- Shedding may increase and hair may become thin.
• Decreased activity- The dog will become less energetic and exercise intolerant.
• Obesity.

Entropion in Bullmastiffs

Entropion is one of the most common eye problems in dogs. It may affect any dog breed of any age. This may be caused as the outcome of any other disease or it may occur genetically. Entropion is the rolling of eyelids inwards which causes them to rub on the eye’s surface. It can also damage the cornea of the eye. You may also observe that your dog becomes uncomfortable because this causes pain in the dog’s eye.

Symptoms of Entropion in Bullmastiffs

• The eyes of the dog would become red due to itching.
•  Watery eyes can also be seen.
• You may also observe the inward curve of the dog’s eyelids.

Lymphoma in Bullmastiffs

Lymphoma is the most usual type of cancer found in dogs. This cancer is a type of blood cancer of white blood cells called Lymphocytes. Unfortunately, Bullmastiffs are also prone to Lymphoma. Some of the early signs of Lymphoma are loss of appetite and weight loss. Skin rashes may also be observed.

Health tips for keeping a Bullmastiff healthy

A healthy dog lives a happy life and it’s our duty to make their life more joyful. There are several factors that determine the health of your dog, you have to take care of these things.

• Providing a proper and nutritious diet: Feeding a proper diet is the most important factor which determines the health of your dog. The diet of the dog should be appropriate according to its nutritional needs. The calories in a dog’s diet are decided by monitoring his activity level, if your dog is more energetic and playful then he will need more calories and if he is not so playful then he didn’t need many calories.  A healthy diet helps to make your dog healthy by strengthing his immunity. The diet should be perfectly balanced, it should contain all necessary vitamins, carbs, fat, and protein. Another essential thing is that Bullmastiffs often become overweight and obese which is not good, so you should not overfeed them
• Routine checkups and proper Vaccinations: Prevention is better than cure, monthly checkups and proper vaccinations can prevent many life-threatening diseases. You have to be careful that your dog has completed a full vaccination course by consulting your Vet. Regular health checkups can also help in identifying any serious health problem in their initial stage. These two things would not only save your dog’s life but may also save time and money.
• Daily Exercising: Bullmastiffs are not playful which means their energy level is not very high, they didn’t need much exercise however exercising is still important for them. It prevents them from becoming obese and lazy which means daily exercising is very important in determining your dog’s health.