Bred to hunt and kill vermin and used in dog fighting in the 1800s, the bold and feisty English Staffordshire bull terrier earned the nickname "the nanny dog" for its love of children, despite its fighting history. Although considered a healthy and robust breed, the Stafford bull is predisposed to heart disease.
Types of Heart Disease
Three types of canine heart disease exist. Regular visits to your veterinarian ensure early detection.
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Although rare, a hereditary condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis occurs in Stafford bull terriers. The condition is caused by an obstruction in the heart, causing a murmur, and has been detected as early as four weeks old.
Endocardiosis
When heart valves cannot close properly, it causes an abnormal blood flow called chronic valvular disease or endocardiosis. The condition can occur in Stafford bulls 6 years or older and is managed well with diet and exercise.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
As the muscles of the heart weaken, a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy occurs. The flow of blood slows, causing fluid to leak from the capillaries into the dog's lungs.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of heart disease include suppressed appetite, weight loss, irregular or rapid breathing, coughing and lethargy.
Prognosis
Valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure--when one side of the heart does more work to compensate for the inefficiency of the other side, the muscles can fail and the heart is unable to pump blood properly.
Related posts
About Staffordshire Bull TerriersStaffordshire bull terriers (more commonly called Staffies) are people-loving, intelligent medium-sized dogs now found in many parts of the world. Because of their...
Breed Staffordshire Bull TerriersStaffordshire bull terriers are one of the most recognizable of the old world bull baiting breeds. They were originally developed in the late 1700s as bait for bul...
Staffordshire Bull Terriers were bred by crossing the English Bulldog with British terriers. Although the dogs have been in existence since the early 1800s, the American Kennel Club did not formal...
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are hardy dogs with few known health problems when acquired from a responsible, reputable breeder. Hip dysplasia, cataracts and luxating patellas are seen in the breed....
About American Bull TerriersAmerican bull terriers, or pit bulls, are a much maligned breed, thanks to owners who turn them into fighting animals. The dogs are extremely smart and like to please t...
