health

The Miniature Bull Terrier is a very sound, healthy canine, but as with all purebred dogs, they are susceptible to certain diseases. Regular check ups by your veterinarian, along with keeping all shots updated, and awareness of the owner of any changes in temperament or in activity, will help ensure the health of your dog.

Lens Luxation In The Miniature Bull Terrier

1.  The miniature bull terrier is a relatively healthy companion but the breed is susceptible to a few hereditary problems one of them is Lens Luxation.  Somewhere between 2 and 7 yrs old they can develop this and it is painful.  Each year starting at the age of 2yrs old the miniature bull terrier should start his/her annual visit to an Ophthalmologist for an eye test which is called a CERF. 

The lens of the eye is situated behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. In the condition of luxation (dislocation), the lens breaks away from its retaining attachments within the eye and becomes free. In most cases, the lens passes forward and comes to rest between the cornea and the iris, in the anterior chamber of the eye. In just a few cases, the lens will pass into the posterior part of the eye or will float from one area to the other.

The term subluxation is used to denote a lens that has partially, but not completely, broken away from its attachments.

Luxation of the lens can be primary or secondary. Secondary cases are those produced by some other problem within the eye, such as cataract or glaucoma. Primary luxation is inherited and is not associated with any other eye problems but results from in-born defects in the structures holding the lens in its normal position within the eye. Glaucoma will result from a lens that is displaced into the front part of the eye if the condition is not treated surgically. 

More info:
www.eyevet.info/luxlens.html
http://www.ch-w.demon.co.uk/billy/pll.htm
http://www.thedogplace.org/library/articles96.htm

With a simple recessive we have three kinds of dog. If we use N as indicating the normal gene (allele) and n the abnormal or lens luxation gene then we have:

1. NN normal dog showing no problems and producing none.

2. Nn apparently normal dog never showing the problem but producing it in some offspring or capable of doing so.

3. nn affected animal.

There are six different kinds of mating that could take place ignoring the sex of parents. These are shown below with expected proportions of progeny.

MATING                        Percent progeny that are

Normal (NN)           Carrier (Nn)          Affected (nn)

1.     NN x NN      100                 0                            0  

2.     NN x Nn         50                50                          0

3.     NN x nn           0               100                          0

4.     Nn x Nn         25                50                         25

5.     Nn x nn           0                 50                         50

6.     nn x nn           0                   0                        100

Heart

2.  The issue of heart disease in  Miniature Bull Terriers is primarily seen in the form of congenital heart disease.  The two forms commonly seen are Mitral Valve Dysplasia and Sub-aortic Stenosis. 

Heart disease can either be congenital (dog was born with it)  or acquired (a problem occurring later in life).

Mitral valve dysplasia presents as a "leaking" valve between the two chambers of the heart, the left atrium and left ventricle.  Usually the mitral valve does not shut completely which causes the blood that should be pumped entirely into the aorta to supply the body with oxygenated blood from the left ventricle; to leak back into the left atrium.  The result is a murmur.  It is called Mitral Regurgitation.  When the mitral valve is narrowed, it is difficult for the blood to leave the left atrium.  This is called Mitral Stenosis.  Dogs with this condition can be affected mildly or severely.  Most dogs can live active normal lives, but with age the condition can worsen and they can die of heart failure.

Sub-aortic Stenosis is the narrowing of the aorta, the major artery carrying the blood supply away from the heart.  The condition leads to pulmonary edema which results in left-sided heart failure.

There are several tests your veterinarian can perform to screen for these conditions, x-ray series of the chest, ECG or electrocardiography to measure the heart's electrical activity, and a cardiac ultrasound or echocardiography.  Many reputable breeders test their dogs with cardiac color Doppler ultrasound for very accurate diagnosis. 

Kidney

3.    Kidney disease

In Miniature Bull Terriers is divided into three forms.  The first is renal dysplasia which results kidney failure.  The disease causes the kidney's cells to develop improperly, resulting in a nonfunctioning kidney/s. 

The second form is Hereditary nephritis.  This is also fatal, but with a slower progression.  Research has not been able to determine a specific age to test for because it can range in age from as early as 2 years up to 8 years.  The best prevention (until DNA testing becomes available) is testing breeding dogs every year for Urine-Protein/ Urine-Creatinine Ratio. 

The most recently discovered kidney disease is Polycystic Kidney Disease.  You may also hear it as PCKD. It is very common to be seen in conjunction with heart valvular problems.  Currently, the most reliable diagnose is made from an ultrasound of the kidneys. 

                                                                  

Skin

4.  Skin Diseases

Some Miniature Bull Terriers, particularly white Miniature Bull Terriers, may have skin problems.  Some dogs respond well to dietary changes of a more natural-type foods or raw with few or no chemical additives.  Others may require allergy testing along with long-term treatment of antibiotics, food change and possible allergy injections.