The English bulldog, known for its short, stocky frame, round head, short muzzle and overbite, is an easily recognizable breed. A popular mascot, the English bulldog is the official symbol of the United States Marine Corps, as well as several schools, including Yale, Louisiana Tech, the University of Georgia and California State University. This tenacious breed also suffers from tenacious health issues, such as breathing problems, "cherry eye," hip and skin problems and extreme sensitivity to heat.
Breathing Problems
This is the most common health problem with the English bulldog. A palate that is too long, a small trachea and "pinched" nostrils contribute to this issue. The soft palate, the skin flap at the back of the throat, can be too long, blocking the airway. A sign of this is excessive panting and, occasionally, vomiting. This problem sometimes requires surgery, although surgery is not recommended until the dog is at least 1 year old.
Bulldogs can also suffer from a too-short trachea. Signs of this include shortness of breath, a "gurgling" sound or wheezing. An X-ray will determine if a shortened trachea is the cause of these symptoms.
Pinched nostrils may not allow enough air to pass. A surgeon can widen the nostrils but, again, this is not recommended until the dog is older.
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye is a protrusion of the inner eyelid gland that produces tears, and is more common in puppies. Cherry eye usually appears as a red mass in the corner of the eye, which can produce discharge. In the past, surgeons would remove the gland, but today they usually reposition it in its original location in the eye. An alternative to surgery is gently rubbing the eye in an attempt to naturally return the gland to its proper position.
Hip Problems
Hip dysplasia, a structural deformity of the hip joint, is also common in English bulldogs, as they tend to have looser joints than other breeds. Hip dysplasia usually requires surgery. In addition, as this dog is typically a heavy breed, owners need to be careful not to exacerbate this problem by letting the dog jump off of objects such as furniture.
Skin Problems
Although these problems are not life-threatening, they can be challenging to keep under control, as the English bulldog is predisposed to skin irritations and infections. The most common form of problem is Demodex, often called "red mange," which is an immune deficiency to the mites that are found with every dog. However, the bulldog often lacks resistance to these mites. Signs of red mange include hair loss and, in more severe cases, "weeping lesions." This tends to be a hereditary problem of English bulldogs.
Sensitivity to Heat
The English bulldog is extremely sensitive to heat and should live in a climate-controlled environment. According to The Bulldog Ranch, bulldogs should "never be a yard dog" and heat "is a killer." When a bulldog is allowed outside to play, it should be carefully monitored so that it does not overheat. Bulldogs can easily suffer from heat stroke.
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