Bullmastiff Health
BLOAT
Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs
The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV").
Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation").
Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine).
The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach.
The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs.
The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.
SYMPTOMS
Early signs of bloat may include restlessness, excessive drooling, abdominal pain, retching, and/or non-productive attempts to vomit. The dog may vomit foamy mucous, or a mucousy foam may be evident around the lips. A more advanced sign of bloat is characterized by abdominal distension (enlarged abdomen). Other signs may include pale mucous membrane (evident by pale gum color), and prolonged capillary refill time (detected by pressing the gum with your fingertip and judging the speed at which gum color returns to pink after you stop pressing.) Some people have reported early detection by observing abnormal behavior, such as not wanting to move around; or laying down in a curled up position, etc. when the dog would normally run around and play. During this early phase, stomach enlargement may not be visually evident yet. Bloat can usually be detected when you make the dog stand up and gently feel his/her abdomen. The abdomen should feel soft and tapered inward when the dog is relaxed. If the abdomen feels hard, or sounds hollow (like a drum) when you tap it gently with your hand, then your dog is probably bloating or even torsioning.
If you're not sure, get the dog in to the vet (or at least call) right away just in case--it's better to be safe than sorry.
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CANCER
Cancer is the leading non-accidental cause of death in dogs in this country. It is common in all breeds and the rate of cancer increases with age.
Cancer (also known as neoplasia) is caused by the uncontrolled, unrestrained growth of cells in the body. It cannot be considered as a single disease since cancer can arise from any tissue in the body, and some forms have the ability to spread (metastasize) throughout the body. Cancers can be very aggressive and spread rapidly, or they can be slow-growing and non-invasive. The cause of cancer in dogs, as in humans, is largely unknown, although there are many theories involving environmental factors, diet, vaccines, and genetic pre-disposition to specific forms of cancer. At this point, there is not enough conclusive evidence to point to any cause in particular.
Cancers fall into two basic categories:
Despite its reputation, cancer is considered to be one of the most treatable of all chronic diseases, especially when detected early.
Abnormal swelling that persists or continues to grow
Sores that do not heal
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Offensive odor
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
Persistent lameness or stiffness
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating.
If your Bullmastiff exhibits any of these symptoms, prompt evaluation by a veterinarian is imperative. Remember, if cancer is found early, it can be treated more effectively.
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TYPES OF CANCER
Lymphoma (or Lymphosarcoma) the lymphocytes (a kind of white blood cell) and is a cancer of usually originates in the lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow. Enlargement of the dog's lymph nodes is often the first indication of illness, but be aware that there are also other explanations for swollen lymph nodes and cancer is not always the diagnosis. A biopsy or a fine-needle aspirate is necessary, in conjunction with blood tests, to determine the specific cancer and to develop a treatment program
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Hemangiosarcoma is a highly malignant, rapidly spreading cancer of, in the simplest terms, the blood vessels. The organs most often involved are the spleen, heart, liver, and lungs, although hemangiosarcoma can occur in the skin as well. Despite advances in treatment using chemotherapy, and although surgical options are sometimes helpful, survival rates are very low. In many instances, the dog will exhibit no symptoms at all until the tumors rupture, causing acute hemorrhage and sudden death.
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Mammary Tumors are the most common form of tumor in an unsprayed female dog, and they are closely associated with exposure to estrogen in the early years of development. Early spaying can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing mammary tumors later in life.
It is recommended that all mammary gland masses be surgically removed and biopsied. Many are benign and are successfully treated through surgery alone, while the malignant forms pose a risk for both recurrence and metastasis.
Bitches not intended for breeding should be spayed at an early age. Any "lumps" or "bumps" should be immediately removed and biopsied since, as with mast cell tumors, early detection and treatment are critical to long-term survival.
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Osteosarcoma most often affects large- and giant-breed dogs and carries a very poor prognosis. These are highly aggressive and invasive tumors. Pain and swelling in a limb are usually the first signs of the disease, though certainly both of these symptoms can be attributed to far less serious diseases as well. Diagnosis is made by x-ray and biopsy coupled with a complete physical examination.
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Mast Cells are a type of blood cell that is part of the body's response to inflammation and allergens. These cells can become cancerous and develop into tumors, and these tumors have the capacity to spread to other organs. Mast cell tumors are most commonly found in the skin, or subcutaneously, though the spleen, liver, lymph nodes and bone marrow are other common sites.
It cannot be emphasized strongly enough that immediate attention to any and all "lumps" and "bumps" found on your dog is crucial.
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