Health Care

Within every Pure bred breed there are diseases of which can effect the health and well being of the dog. It is best not to breed from a dog that has any genetic faults as they will then pass on those genes to the offspring etc.

American Bulldogs have a general life span from 10–16 years, and tend to be strong, physically active, and often healthy. Some health problems in American bulldogs are often found within certain genetic lines, and are not common to the entire breed, while others (listed below), are more common to the general population of American Bulldogs.

Here you can find DNA test kits for specific diseases within particular breeds to make sure your dog is not affected or a carrier - Animal Network - PennGen or ASAP Orivet DNA Testing.

Here is a list of the Vet clinics that specialise in Pennhip across the world -http://www.pennhip.org/ReferralWorld.html

Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis follows a dominant-recessive inheritance.There are three possible genotypes which are:

Ichthyosis clear (0/0), this means the individual has two intact genes and can only pass those onto any offspring. There will never be any offspring affected if it has one parent that is Ichthyosis clear.

Ichthyosis carrier (0/+), this means the individual has one intact gene and one defect gene. The individual is unaffected and healthy. It will pass statistically an intact gene onto 50% of its offspring and a defect gene to the other 50%.

Ichthyosis affected (+/+), this means that the individual only has two defect genes. This is why it is affected and can only pass defect genes onto its offspring. You can order your DNA test kit

PennGen

This is how the gene is passed on:

Ichthyosis Clear x Ichthyosis Clear - All are  Ichthyosis Clear

Ichthyosis Clear x Ichthyosis Carrier - 50% are Ichthyosis Clear
                                                      - 50% are Ichthyosis Carrier

Ichthyosis Carrier x Ichthyosis Carrier - 25% are Ichthyosis
                                                       - 50% are Ichthyosis Carrier
                                                         - 25% are NCL Affected
Ichthyosis Carrier x Ichthyosis Affected - 50% are Ichthyosis Carrier
                                                         - 50% are Ichthyosis Affected

Ichthyosis Affected x Ichthyosis Affected - All are Ichthyosis Affected

Hip/Elbow Dysplacia

Hip Dysplasia (HD) is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints.

It is a genetic trait that is affected by environmental factors and is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds.

Elbow dysplasia (ED) is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow-joint in the dog, specifically the growth of cartilage or the structures surrounding it. These abnormalities, known as 'primary lesions', give rise to osteoarthritic processes.

NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofus cinosis)

Is an inherited Neurological disorder that effects the nervous system of your dog. There is currently NO CURE for this horrible disease. You can order your test kit through the Animal Network.

This is how the gene is passed on:

NCL Clear x NCL Clear - All are NCL Clear

NCL Clear x NCL Carrier - 50% are NCL Clear
                                          - 50% are NCL Carriers

NCL Carrier x NCL Carrier - 25% are NCL Clear
                                           - 50% are NCL Carriers
                                          - 25% are NCL Affected

NCL Carrier x NCL Affected - 50% are NCL Carriers
                                            - 50% are NCL Affected

NCL Affected x NCL Affected - All are NCL Affected

Here is an example of what NCL does to your dog.

Entropian

There are many conditions that predispose both Entropion. Foremost among these are congenital predispositions which can easily be passed on from parents to offspring. Other causes include aging, scarring, mechanical factors, nervous system disorders i.e. spasm, and allergic reactions.
Entropian can be fixed via eye surgery but the dog will still carry the gene to pass it on to its offspring and the cost of surgery ranges between $1,500 - $2,500 without pet insurance.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF BLOAT. IT IS MORE COMMON THAN MOST PEOPLE REALISE!

health care

Health Care

Ichthyosis

Hip/Elbow Dysplacia

NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofus cinosis)

Entropian