APBT Health issues Health

As we were talking about health & designer breeds I thought to do a post on Pit Bull specific health problems. This might not be a complete list and some are seldom seen but they are still diseases to be aware of. Whether you are breeding, buying a pure bred or adopting a pure or possible Pit mix it never hurts to have knowledge of health issues. Most Pit Bulls are generally healthy without serious issues. Though it will depend on the lines and individual genetics.

Allergies are one of the more common minor problems. Though many Pit Bulls don't suffer allergies there are those who do from mild to severe. Most common being atopic dermatitis, the allergens can vary from specific types of grass, flowers, fleas, chemicals or cleaners. A dog can be allergic to more than one thing and they can develop more allergies over time. Just as with people repeated exposure can build up to an over sensitivity to something that was previously benign. Minor allergies usually don't cause much issue or maybe only a small amount of redness and itching. Serious allergies can cause constant itching which leads to the dog biting, scratching. The skin can become scabby and eventually a skin infection might occur. Hives might be present on the dogs skin after exposure to an allergen.

While food allergies are not seen as often some Pits do suffer from them. There are those who are unfortunate enough to suffer both. The most common food allergies are to grains I believe but I've seen those also allergic to protein sources (meat). While food allergies can cause some reaction similar to environmental allergies the symptoms could also be vomiting, diarrhea even losing weight on certain foods.

Aortic stenosis while this isn't something that seems to be common it can be serious or fatal. I also think the numbers could be underestimated. In screening it might be very uncommon however it probably goes unreported in some cases. As a seemingly healthy dog who simply drops dead could have had a cardiac condition but most owners don't do a necropsy to find out the cause of death. There can be symptoms dogs who have trouble breathing or cough might have this condition. In serious cases where a dog has exerted themselves they could pass out.
Coughing can also be a symptom of heart worms or round worms as well as contagious diseases. Vet check is always recommended if your dog is experiencing a cough.

Cleft palate (or minor cleft lip) is evident at birth. This can be caused by genetics but could also be caused in utero. If the female experiences dehydration, vitamin deficiency, exposure to certain chemicals, ect. Either way cleft palate pups will not be able to suckle properly and therefore they udually will not naturally survive. A cleft lip is a more minor cosmetic deformity and likely to have possible same causes as cleft palate genetics or environment.

Cone Rod Dystrophy 2 ("day blindness") puppies born with this will not be able to see well in bright light. Though it is called day blindness & dogs will initially lose sight in bright or sun light they will eventually lose low light/night vision leading to blindness. Though not common this is an APBT specific disease.

CDR 1 this is the same clinically as above however caused by different genetic mutation which occured in the American Staffordshire Terrier. While this disease is found in the Am. Staff it is something to be aware of if you have Pitterstaff or a dog of unknown lineage. Since breeding Am Staff to APBT isn't uncommon for some breeders.

Degenerative Myelopathy is a serious disease in terms of progression and the fact that it causes a loss of coordination & eventually the ability to walk. Even though this is severe, it seems painless for the dog and many owners have used slings and later dog "wheelchair" so their dog can continue to get around. This disease isn't common in APBT but has been reported so it is something to be aware of. Early symptoms could be dragging feet or knuckling over. It is important to note that this disease can cause front limb & other body problems once it surpasses the rear limbs so euthanasia might be the final option. This disease most commonly develops in oolder senior dogs but that isn't always the case.

Demodex there are two types of demodectic mange localized and generalized. It is important to note that pretty much all dogs carry these mange mites but in a healthy dog they cause no disruption. Localized Demodex involves a small "local" area of hair loss. This is typically seen on the paws or around the eyes. There is a genetic predisposition to Demodex as it is usually familial though times of heavy stress / other disease could see a reduced immune system leading to the body being unable to deal with the mites. Localized out breaks usually occur in pups and often can clear themselves up. However generalized can be much more severe and problematic. This very much seems to be a genetic issue (it possibly has something to do with T cell distribution). This type causes great amount of hair loss all over the body. It is often reoccurring & can be hard to treat effectively because there isn't a cure. The hair loss & mite "infection" can also lead to poor skin condition & secondary skin infection. In females coming into season is often associated with another out break so it is best to spay females as soon as possible in my opinion.

Elbow dysplasia isn't extremely frequent but seen often enough that we should be aware of the possibility as it can be serious and causes pain for the dog. Dogs can suffer from lameness, limping or in severity crippling the dog in the front end. In some cases surgery is required.

Hip dysplasia this is another serious disease, while it might not be of high frequency it is seen often enough to be of concern. Some dogs don't show symptoms or only have mild symptoms when older but it can be severe just like with the elbows. A dog who has a severe case of HD will likely need surgery. You can see symptoms of odd gate, limping, not wanting to jump or even a dog who doesn't want to bare weight & do normal activities.

Hyperuricosuria doesn't affect all dogs equally, some dogs who are at risk mount seem to be unaffected while others suffer bladder and kidney stones. This disease causes high levels of uric acid in urine which is what leads to the formation of stones. Some symptoms of this disease include vomiting, frequent urination, blood may also be present in the urine, a loss of energy and/or appetite.

Hypothyroidism this is something that is probably hard to get an actual idea of occurrence because a dog that has normal function could develop hypothyroidism later and it isn't known the number of pet dogs who are not reported. Dogs can also be asymptomatic or have very subtle symptoms. Weight gain or being unable to lose weight in an over weight dog can be a sign of hypothyroidism but many owners might be unaware of this. A lack of energy and hair loss can also be symptoms. This condition is treated and controlled with medication so that a dog can live a fairly normal life.

Liver shunt this isn't common but again could be more frequent then we know. As it is probably under reported and some owners might have an ill dog euthanized without finding this to be the culprit. It could take a vet awhile to diagnose this since symptoms can be similar to other health problems. Unexplained weight loss, anemia, lack of energy or appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of cognitive function, running into corners or walls, head pressing can all be symptoms of this disease.

Lupus there are two types of Lupus Discoid & Systemic. Discoid is a more minor type effecting primarily the nose and face. This produces hair loss and sores on the nose and face. Sometimes it isn't serious but it can be. When there is a lot of facial hair loss and sores this is not only painful but susceptible to infection. Systemic lupus, while much more rare (Discoid isn't common itself) is a more severe form because it causes problems throughout the body. Antibodies can attack nearly any part of the dog including the organs. This can lead to serious complications and can eventually be fatal. Symptoms include hair loss and sores on the body too but also lack of energy and/or appetite, bloody stool, increased urination, increased thirst, vomiting, pale gums, visual bruising. These can also be symptoms of other diseases so this isn't always caught right away, especially since this is an uncommon disease.

Neonatal Cerebellar Ataxia this disease is found in the American Staffordshire Terrier but just like with CDR 1 it could be a concern with a Pitterstaff or a dog of unknown lineage since inter breeding isn't uncommon. This disease is usually seen in middle age. The main symptom being ataxia hence the name which would include a loss of coordination & loss of balance. Dogs might fall over losing balance when shaking their head. Have abnormal eye movement or tremors.

Cancer is something that all dogs (all mammals) are at risk for. Cancer cells can form in our bodies but be kept controlled. The same is true in dogs. If the disruption is controlled a dog will not suffer cancer. However there are environmental factors that c a new lead to the development of cancer but there are also genetic cancers as well.

Mastocytoma (mast cell tumors) is one of the most aggressive types of cancers. Caught early you can save your dog but these tumors develop rapidly and can spread cancer to organs via the lymphatic system. Sometimes these tumors can go unnoticed or are not paid much mind to. If the dog has a small pink mass on the skin it doesn't seem like anything to be concerned with. However one they are to grow they can become larger quickly and their is the part you can't see embedded. Dogs can also suffer multiple tumors. It is always good to have any skin issue checked out. Some skin abnormalities are benign but clearly others can be serious. There is a genetic predisposition to this cancer as their is familial incidence.

Lymphoma research has shown that an Epstein Barr virus can be the cause of dogs (and humans) developing this cancer. This is very interesting as while it isn't common it is certainly noted in the APBT, including without a familial link and in dogs that can range from as young as a year to 10 yrs old. While a genetic predisposition could still exist it doesn't seem that is the case. We should be aware that it could strike any dog. Dogs with weight loss, lack of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea could have lymphoma though these symptoms are common in other diseases as well.

Hooooly crap, I had no idea...question, one of Sophie's tics is obsessively gnawing from above her tail to middle back year round. The doctor said it might be flea allergy but no fleas in the cold months. Then the vet added she might be allergic to even leftover flea dander in the house. However the house was built late 18th century with more critters and fleas than can ever be accounted for.

What's the question? The cause? The vet could be right or it might be another allergen. Allergies are hard to diagnose when not tested for.

@Honey5

I will tag you to it

Thanks, this is a very informative post!