Mastiff Health

Everyone knows when they get a new puppy, that they need vaccinations to help keep them healthy. Five-in-one or Seven-in-one DHLPP vaccines are given every three to four weeks, usually in 3-4 rounds. These cover coronavirus, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, canine parvovirus, rabies, and kennel cough. They'll also need to be checked for worms, or as most breeders and vets do, treated for worms (hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, coccidia and giardia) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks old. Heartworm medication also needs to be given monthly, and as with any pet, you'll also need to take care of flea and tick problems.

Your Mastiff will also need special attention for their own particular needs. Each breed of dog is susceptible to different types of things. Let's take a look at some of the things to consider for your Mastiff's health care.

Bloat - Bloat can be extremely serious! It is caused when your dog eats or drinks too fast, and the dog's stomach becomes bloated with gas and air. This can come on very quickly and needs emergency care. The distended stomach can twist or flip upside down, cutting off the blood supply to the stomach, and leading to shock and possibly death. Signs of bloat include your dog whining, trying to vomit, salivating, and a stomach that is tight to the touch. Act quickly! Bloat can kill your pet in minutes! To prevent bloat, feed your dog smaller portions, twice a day, and try to keep them from gulping their food. Not feeding multiple dogs together will help solve this. Also, restrict exercise for about an hour after feeding.

http://petcaretips.net/bloat-dog.html

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Mastiffs have several hereditary eye problems, including PRA, glaucoma, and cataracts. PRA is the most common and can lead to blindness, but there is a DNA test that can determine if your Mastiff puppy has this disease potential. PRA begins with loss of night vision, then loss of day vision, possible cataracts, and then blindness. Dogs who test positive for PRA should not be bred.

http://mastiff.org/exhibit-hall/health/p...

Elbow and Knee Bursas

A bursa is a protective swelling around the elbow and knee joints that begins as a fluid filled pocket and develops into a rough pad. Mastiffs get these due to their sheer size and that they use their knees and elbows to raise themselves off the ground. Some people believe the bursas should be surgically removed, while others believe they should be left alone. There are risks related to surgery, and my personal stance is that if they aren't causing any pain to your pet, you should leave them alone. Mastiffs are very large, it takes a lot of anesthesia to perform a surgery, and there are great risks to using anesthesia on your dog! The risk of any surgical procedure should be thoroughly evaluated before you make your decision.

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