6 Most Common Health Issues In Bulldogs

Taking care of your dog’s unique and specific medical needs is important to ensuring a long and healthy life. Depending on the breed of your pup, there are different factors to look out for and give extra care to.

Some may think that bulldogs look tough, but they can suffer from many health conditions due to the selective breeding that gives them the distinct appearance they have today. With squashed faces, flat noses, and stout little bodies, these pups’ cuteness comes with a price. Here are six common health conditions to look out for in a bulldog pup.

1. Cherry eye

This condition involves the third eyelid of a pup becoming deformed due to disorder. Without treatment, it can cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca and may even lead to blindness.

2. Hip and/or elbow dysplasia

Usually a genetic condition, this relates to the deformation of hip and/or elbow joints and results in pain, discomfort, and loss of mobility. Pups must be kept at a healthy weight to avoid this issue, so regular exercise is a must! Learn more about this condition here and find out how to prevent and/or manage it here.

3. Skin conditions

Bulldog pups are highly prone to dermatitis, inflammation, allergies, eczema, and acne. This is especially common due to moisture being trapped within folds of the pup’s skin, so you’ll have to regularly clean or dry your pup’s wrinkles to ward off bacteria.

4. Overheating

This breed of pup is meant to be an indoor pet, so being outside in the heat isn’t a great idea, and due to breathing issues, sweating and panting can be dangerous. Overly vigorous exercise isn’t a good idea either.

5. Cancer

Bulldog pups have the highest rate of cancer among all other breeds of dog. As such, regular checkups are required by your vet. You can conduct basic physical exams on your pup at home, but don’t miss out on your annual health check, and notify your vet immediately regarding any growths, lumps, or odd behavior and sickness.

6. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

This condition’s name can be roughly simplified to “shortened head airway syndrome” and happens due to the reduced length of a bulldog’s skull, their short noses, and the altered tissue structure as a result. This can cause major respiratory problems, chronic pain or discomfort, and make it hard to eat or exercise. To avoid the condition, pups should be kept at a healthy weight. Mild symptoms can be managed with controlled exercise, reduced stress, and keeping a pup cool.

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