Miniature English Bulldogs

Miniature English Bulldogs are known for their numerous health problems. Due to selective breeding and excessive inbreeding, a large number of genetic disorders are becoming more and more common within these dogs. When it comes to cardiovascular conditions, they tend to suffer from the following ones:

• Ventricular septal defect: There’s a high risk in this breed; there’s no sex predilection.
• Tetralogy of Fallot: Although it’s uncommon, it is a congenital pathology.
• Aortic stenosis: It’s a common congenital disease and it’s often found in this breed.

• Pulmonic stenosis: It’s the third most frequent cause of canine congenital heart disease. May be associated with an anomalous coronary artery development in this breed.
• Dermatological problems: are also common on Miniature English Bulldogs. They can suffer from:
• Muzzle folliculitis and furunculosis. There’s a possible genetic susceptibility to this pathology.
• Pododermatitis: Males are predisposed and the front feet are more commonly affected.
• Generalized Demodicosis: Bulldogs are in the ten breeds at highest statistical risk of this disease.

• Canine follicular dysplasia. There’s a marked predilection in this breed. May occur due to intentional breeding for excessive skin folding.
• Endocrine diseases can also be a problem within this breed. The odds are, your Miniature English Bulldog may be diagnosed with:
• Hypothyroidism. Often found in middle-aged dogs.
• Gastrointestinal and Musculoskeletal conditions can also be very common, such as:
• Cleft palate. Congenital disorder with inheritance suspected in this breed.
• Ununited anconeal process. A true fracture of the process occurs in this breed.
• Congenital elbow luxation.
• Hip dysplasia. Also relatively common.
• Genetic dwarfism where both the skull and limbs are affected. It is accepted as a breed standard.

Miniature Bulldogs can develop different types of tumors:

• Mast cell tumours. There’s a possible breed predisposition.
• Primary brain tumour. Higher incidence noted in this breed.
• Lymphosarcoma (malignant lymphoma). Higher incidence noted in this breed, as well.

Neurological conditions Miniature English Bulldogs suffer from:

• Congenital deafness. Relatively common and congenital.
• Hemivertebrae. Also congenital.
• Ocular problems are extremely common in these dogs. They can be diagnosed with:
• Entropion (usually of the lower lid).
• There’s a breed predisposition.
• Trichiasis. There’s also predisposition.

• Renal, urinary and reproductive disorders can also be found. The most common in this breed are the following:
• Ectopic ureters. Congenital anomaly with a higher incidence reported in this breed. More commonly diagnosed in females.
• Urethrorectal fistula. There’s a possible breed predisposition.
• Sacrocaudal dysgenesis (causing urinary incontinence). Congenital and occasionally reported.
• Urate urolithiasis. A higher incidence was noted in this breed. Breed predisposition due to combination of narrow pelvis and large head/wide shoulders.
• Cryptorchidism. Believed to be a breed at increased risk of the condition.

Amongst respiratory problems, the most common is the Hypoplastic trachea. This breed accounts for 55% of cases. Brachycephalic upper airway syndrome is also present, since it’s a complex of anatomical deformities caused by the excessive shortening of the muzzle. May be associated with non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema in this breed. There’s an association between aerophagia and this condition, which may lead to excessive flatulence.