How to get a healthy mastiff puppy?
No one wants an unhealthy pet, but how can you prevent that from happening? The first step is to ensure the parents of your puppy are healthy and have been screened specifically for any heritable diseases common to the breed. It’s even better if the grandparents, great grandparents and other close relatives have also been tested as there is a lot more information upon which to make sound breeding decisions.
Eyes – There are many eye conditions that can affect mastiffs, some causing blindness and others impairing vision to varying degrees.
We get all our dogs eyes examined by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. The exam results are sent on to The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (aka CERF) and entered onto a public registry. We also have DNA tests done for two specific eye diseases: Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Canine Multifocal Retinopathy. To learn more about these two diseases and how to eliminate passing them on to future generations visit the Optigen website:
PRA http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_dominant_pra.html
CMR http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_cmr.html
Heart – It goes without saying that the heart is a very important organ. There are several hereditary diseases that can affect the canine heart. We feel it is very important to rule out heart disease on any dog before it is bred. We have our dogs examined by a Veterinary Cardiologist. If there are any abnormal findings we will have an echo-cardiogram performed to determine if congenital heart disease is present. http://www.yourdogsheart.com/heart_disease_in_dogs/
Cystinuria – This is a genetic disease affecting only male mastiffs that causes stones to form within the urinary tract. These stones can completely block the urinary tract which can quickly become life threatening and require emergency surgery. All our dogs are tested for the presence of cystine in their urine. Unfortunately there is not yet a DNA test for this disease and the mode of inheritance is not completely understood. Learn more about Cystinuria here: http://www.caninecystinuria.com/FAQ.html
Hips & Elbows – Large breed dogs are known for their high incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia. Upon reaching physical maturity at two years of age we get our dog’s hips and elbows x-rayed. The films are then sent off to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals where they are reviewed by a board of Veterinary Radiologists. They give the dog a specific rating on their hips (Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline or Dysplastic). Elbows are given a rating of normal or dysplastic. According to OFA statistics the rate of hip dysplasia in the mastiff breed is 19.4% and elbow dysplasia is 14.9%. It is imperative to get the hips and elbows x-rayed at maturity to screen for dysplasia. We have personally had a dog that appeared to be in peak physical condition with zero clinical symptoms of dysplasia, yet the x-rays clearly showed hips that were dysplastic. The absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of disease! In order to reduce the incidence of dysplasia in our breed it’s absolutely essential to screen for the disease before breeding, no exceptions!
Patellas – Patellar luxation is a hereditary condition where the kneecap pops out of place. There is a very low incidence in mastiffs, reported as 0.3% by the OFA. As this test is non-invasive and can be done for a reasonable cost we choose to have all our dogs tested. Visit the OFA website for further information.
What about general health & vigor?
Weakened immune systems and related problems including cancers are on the rise in both people and pets. Many veterinarians and long time dog breeders believe over-vaccination, over use of antibiotics & steroids, chemicals found in commercial food and medications are to blame. Some signs of immune problems are skin issues, poor hair growth, allergies, intolerance to exercise, chronic or frequent diarrhea, lameness, poor appetite, body odor and anemia. Although most of these issues are not life threatening, they can be very frustrating to deal with on an ongoing basis, reduce your pets quality of life and cost a small fortune in vet fees for diagnostic tests and medications.
To support a healthy immune system our pets need fresh air, exercise, exposure to sunlight, fresh clean water, a diet of natural raw foods, along with reduced vaccinations and minimal exposure to chemicals, pesticides and pharmaceutical drugs when possible. Unfortunately there are no specific tests for breeders to determine the health of their dog’s immune system. This is where a knowledgeable and conscientious breeder who you can have an open and trusting relationship with becomes important!
Please visit our links page for more health resources.
Eyes – There are many eye conditions that can affect mastiffs, some causing blindness and others impairing vision to varying degrees.
We get all our dogs eyes examined by a Veterinary Ophthalmologist. The exam results are sent on to The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (aka CERF) and entered onto a public registry. We also have DNA tests done for two specific eye diseases: Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Canine Multifocal Retinopathy. To learn more about these two diseases and how to eliminate passing them on to future generations visit the Optigen website:
PRA http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_dominant_pra.html
CMR http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test_cmr.html
Heart – It goes without saying that the heart is a very important organ. There are several hereditary diseases that can affect the canine heart. We feel it is very important to rule out heart disease on any dog before it is bred. We have our dogs examined by a Veterinary Cardiologist. If there are any abnormal findings we will have an echo-cardiogram performed to determine if congenital heart disease is present. http://www.yourdogsheart.com/heart_disease_in_dogs/
Cystinuria – This is a genetic disease affecting only male mastiffs that causes stones to form within the urinary tract. These stones can completely block the urinary tract which can quickly become life threatening and require emergency surgery. All our dogs are tested for the presence of cystine in their urine. Unfortunately there is not yet a DNA test for this disease and the mode of inheritance is not completely understood. Learn more about Cystinuria here: http://www.caninecystinuria.com/FAQ.html
Hips & Elbows – Large breed dogs are known for their high incidence of hip and elbow dysplasia. Upon reaching physical maturity at two years of age we get our dog’s hips and elbows x-rayed. The films are then sent off to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals where they are reviewed by a board of Veterinary Radiologists. They give the dog a specific rating on their hips (Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline or Dysplastic). Elbows are given a rating of normal or dysplastic. According to OFA statistics the rate of hip dysplasia in the mastiff breed is 19.4% and elbow dysplasia is 14.9%. It is imperative to get the hips and elbows x-rayed at maturity to screen for dysplasia. We have personally had a dog that appeared to be in peak physical condition with zero clinical symptoms of dysplasia, yet the x-rays clearly showed hips that were dysplastic. The absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of disease! In order to reduce the incidence of dysplasia in our breed it’s absolutely essential to screen for the disease before breeding, no exceptions!
Patellas – Patellar luxation is a hereditary condition where the kneecap pops out of place. There is a very low incidence in mastiffs, reported as 0.3% by the OFA. As this test is non-invasive and can be done for a reasonable cost we choose to have all our dogs tested. Visit the OFA website for further information.
What about general health & vigor?
Weakened immune systems and related problems including cancers are on the rise in both people and pets. Many veterinarians and long time dog breeders believe over-vaccination, over use of antibiotics & steroids, chemicals found in commercial food and medications are to blame. Some signs of immune problems are skin issues, poor hair growth, allergies, intolerance to exercise, chronic or frequent diarrhea, lameness, poor appetite, body odor and anemia. Although most of these issues are not life threatening, they can be very frustrating to deal with on an ongoing basis, reduce your pets quality of life and cost a small fortune in vet fees for diagnostic tests and medications.
To support a healthy immune system our pets need fresh air, exercise, exposure to sunlight, fresh clean water, a diet of natural raw foods, along with reduced vaccinations and minimal exposure to chemicals, pesticides and pharmaceutical drugs when possible. Unfortunately there are no specific tests for breeders to determine the health of their dog’s immune system. This is where a knowledgeable and conscientious breeder who you can have an open and trusting relationship with becomes important!
Please visit our links page for more health resources.
