health
Being prepared for everyday accidents can mean reducing the extent of treatment required or even saving your pet’s life.
In most cases, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a hardy breed that doesn’t suffer from a lot of health problems, but there are some concerns that do come up with some dogs:
A full vaccination against Canine Hepatitis, Canine Distemper and Canine Parvovirus (C3), Canine Parainfluenza Virus (C4), Bordatella bronchiseptica (C5), plus Leptopsirosis and Canine Coronavirus is known as a C7.
Vaccination programs start at 6 - 8 weeks of age, and boosters are given at approximately 4 to 6 week intervals until the puppy is 18 - 20 weeks of age. The reason for these boosters is that the antibodies the puppy got from his mother actually interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness. Since these maternal antibodies are lost at different ages in different puppies, we need to give boosters to ensure we have protective levels of antibodies in all puppies.Annual vaccination is recommended to keep antibody levels high throughout life. Vaccination programs will vary with age of first vaccination and the type of vaccine used. There is now a vaccine available to protect puppies from 10 weeks of age against canine parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis with a single dose (or at 6 weeks and again at 10 weeks if earlier protection is needed). Your vet will advise you of the best program for your dog.Reactions to vaccinations are rare. Your dog may be a little 'off colour' for a day or two after vaccination. Sometimes there may be a little swelling or tenderness at the injection site. These are not causes for alarm but if you are concerned about your dog or if there are more serious signs then it is advisable to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and fatal virus that can affect any dog of any age but puppies are most at risk. The virus is transmitted in discharges from the nose and eyes. Early symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, discharge from the eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea and respiratory problems (coughing, runny nose). Later the dog may show convulsions and other nervous system disorders. If the dog does survive there may be permanent brain damage.
Canine Hepatitis is another highly infectious virus that damages the liver, like viral hepatitis in humans. Puppies are most at risk and symptoms vary from lethargy and appetite loss to depression, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and even death. The virus is passed on to other dogs from the urine of infected dogs, which can continue for up to 6 months after recovery. Long term kidney and liver problems can occur.
Canine Parvovirus Unfortunately, Canine Parvovirus still appears all too often. It is a very hardy virus that can survive in the environment for 12 months or more. It is also easily transmitted, so strict hygiene and special disinfectants are required. Parvovirus causes a severe gastroenteritis that affects dogs and puppies of all ages, but is most severe in puppies under 6 months. Death can occur within 24 hours. Symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, depression and, in some cases, heart failure.
Canine Cough Kennel (Canine) Cough is a disease complex caused by a mixture of viruses and bacteria, the 2 main components being the Canine Parainfluenza virus and a bacterium Bordatella bronchiseptica. Though called 'kennel' cough dogs can become infected from any place where dogs mix, including shows, parks, grooming parlours, and training classes. Symptoms aren't fatal but, like the human 'flu', can persist for weeks and cause a harsh, dry cough. In some cases the infection spreads from the upper respiratory tract to the lungs, causing the more serious diseases of pneumonia or bronchitis.
Canine Leptospirosis is not a common disease in Australia but can be a problem where there are large wild rat numbers and dogs consume food or water contaminated with rat urine. This is mostly a problem around rubbish tips, crop harvests or times of rat plagues. Your vet will advise you if this extra vaccination is required for your dog.
Canine Coronavirus is closely related to Canine Parvovirus and causes gastrointestinal disturbances. In severe cases similar symptoms may be seen, including sudden onset of profuse bloody, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, depression, anorexia and dehydration. Although the mortality rate is not as high as with Parvovirus, severely affected animals require hospitalisation and intensive treatment. A new vaccine is now available to aid in protection against disease caused by canine coronavirus. This is a combined vaccine with Canine Leptospirosis
Hip Dysplasia A common disorder in canines, this degenerative disease causes the hip joint to become damaged, causing pain and problems with mobility. Symptoms occur over a long period of time and can manifest in symptoms such as slower movement and problems getting up and down. Treatment options will vary, but include exercises, pain medications, and even surgery.Hip Dysplasia in amstaffs is polygenetic,meaning that even if both sire and dam have good hips,They can still produce a litter of hip dysplastic pups.Minimizing the occurrence of hip dysplasia comes from a long history of testing.
Luxating patella is where the kneecap is displaced out of its normal position in the knee joint. It may luxate (come out of the "joint") to the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg.The normal position of the patella (kneecap) is in the centre of the front of the knee. It glides up and down in a groove in the femur (the top leg bone) as the knee bends and extends, and is held in place by the patella ligament. The patella ligament attaches to the top of the tibia (the bottom leg bone).
Luxating means dislocating, so that a luxating patella moves out of the groove in the femur, usually towards the inside of the knee (medially luxating). If the patella dislocates towards the outside of the knee it is called a laterally luxating patella.It is usually the result of a congenital problem whereby the point where the patella ligament attaches to the tibia is not on the midline, but more towards the inside of the knee. This means that the patella is pulled towards the inside of the knee each time the knee bends and the patella can be dislocated out of the groove. This can happen intermittently or the patella can be permanently dislocated.Some dogs also have a shallow groove in their femur that lets the patella move out of its central position more easily. Also, over time the inner side of the groove wears down due to constant movement of the patella over it, and the problem worsens.
Some pets are prone to a patella luxation because they have a shallow groove, or no groove at all, where the kneecap normally sits. This variation in anatomy allows the kneecap to "slip out" with movement.
Congenital heart disease Some American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are born with this condition and symptoms and treatments vary. Many dogs have no problems at all, while others will require monitoring and medications to make sure the heart is working properly.Several forms of genetic heart disease have been seen in the american staffordshire terrier breed,These include:Mitral Valve Prolapse,Pulmonic Valvular Stenosis,Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis and others.It is strongly recommended that breeding stock be tested by a cardiologist rather than by a regular vet who may miss the heart murmur.The mode of inheritance of heart disease is not yet known and any dog affected with heart disease should not be used in breeding stock.
Cataracts Caused by genetic factors, these cataracts can cause blindness and vision disturbances. Treatments are available for severe cases and require surgery to remove the cataracts.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (P.R.A.) is a group of disorders affecting the photoreceptors in the retina that results in gradual blindness. The photoreceptors are the rods and cones, which change light into electrical signals for transmission to the brain. It is also known as Progressive Retinal Degeneration (P.R.D.).P.R.A. may be due to dysplasia (abnormal development) of the retina, which results in blindness at a young age, or premature degeneration of the retina. Many breeds are affected, including Poodles, Australian Cattle Dogs, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Akitas, and Irish Setters, although over 30 breeds are reported to have the inherited problem. It is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, meaning that carriers of the gene do not develop P.R.A. but pass the gene on to their offspring.
Hives Since the coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is so short, the skin is often exposed to the elements and the outside environment. This often creates a situation in which the skin can become irritated more easily by insects or heat, even stress, causing hives or small welts in the skin.
Cerebellar Ataxia is a neurlogical disorder.The desease is also called Cerebellar Cortical Degenerationor Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscineosis (NCL)The first signs of the disease usually appear between 3 and 5 years of age in affected dogs. More rarely,early or late-onset symptoms can appear between 1.5-3 years or after 5 years. Symptoms are loss ofbalance, difficulty cornering, and falling when shaking their head. When they became unable to walkwithout falling repeatedly, owners usually make the difficult choice to euthanize. The clinical diagnosis isrealized by excluding others diseases and confirmed by a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).The Cerebellar Ataxia is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Heartworm The thought of a large worm-like alien wriggling around inside your heart, growing relentlessly inside your defenceless body by feeding on your own blood and slowly but surely sending you to your maker makes.It seems that heartworms have been killing pets for centuries. The first published records of the infection in dogs occurred in 1847.If your pet is in a heartworm-infected area and if the preventive is not being given regularly then infection is more likely and it is very likely where dogs receive no preventative medication. A worsening cough is usually one of the first signs. The dog then becomes inactive and lethargic due to the weakening of its heart. It will not be able to tolerate exercise without coughing.In severe cases, fluid leaks out of the blood vessels and accumulates in the lungs and the lower part of the abdomen. This fluid gives the dog's abdomen a 'pear-shaped' appearance, resembling the shape of a balloon filled with water.
Sometimes, the animal will suddenly collapse. This is associated with deep, laboured breathing, extreme weakness, the development of blue appearance to the tongue and of paleness of the gums.Unless your dog is seriously affected by the disease, treatment is usually successful.your veterinarian is likely to want kill the adult worms and also the microscopically small young worms, called microfilaria, in your dog's blood stream.Thankfully, preventing heartworm disease is easy and all dogs and cats should be on some form of preventive medication.
There are several choices. A daily heartworm preventive has been available for dogs for many years but has been mostly superseded.Monthly heartworm medications are popular. Some are available as tablets, some as chews and some as 'spot on the back of the neck' preparations. Many of these also help to control intestinal worms.A recent advance in heartworm prevention is the yearly Once-A-Year Heartworm Prevention injection.
In most cases, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a hardy breed that doesn’t suffer from a lot of health problems, but there are some concerns that do come up with some dogs:
A full vaccination against Canine Hepatitis, Canine Distemper and Canine Parvovirus (C3), Canine Parainfluenza Virus (C4), Bordatella bronchiseptica (C5), plus Leptopsirosis and Canine Coronavirus is known as a C7.
Vaccination programs start at 6 - 8 weeks of age, and boosters are given at approximately 4 to 6 week intervals until the puppy is 18 - 20 weeks of age. The reason for these boosters is that the antibodies the puppy got from his mother actually interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness. Since these maternal antibodies are lost at different ages in different puppies, we need to give boosters to ensure we have protective levels of antibodies in all puppies.Annual vaccination is recommended to keep antibody levels high throughout life. Vaccination programs will vary with age of first vaccination and the type of vaccine used. There is now a vaccine available to protect puppies from 10 weeks of age against canine parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis with a single dose (or at 6 weeks and again at 10 weeks if earlier protection is needed). Your vet will advise you of the best program for your dog.Reactions to vaccinations are rare. Your dog may be a little 'off colour' for a day or two after vaccination. Sometimes there may be a little swelling or tenderness at the injection site. These are not causes for alarm but if you are concerned about your dog or if there are more serious signs then it is advisable to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and fatal virus that can affect any dog of any age but puppies are most at risk. The virus is transmitted in discharges from the nose and eyes. Early symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, discharge from the eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea and respiratory problems (coughing, runny nose). Later the dog may show convulsions and other nervous system disorders. If the dog does survive there may be permanent brain damage.
Canine Hepatitis is another highly infectious virus that damages the liver, like viral hepatitis in humans. Puppies are most at risk and symptoms vary from lethargy and appetite loss to depression, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and even death. The virus is passed on to other dogs from the urine of infected dogs, which can continue for up to 6 months after recovery. Long term kidney and liver problems can occur.
Canine Parvovirus Unfortunately, Canine Parvovirus still appears all too often. It is a very hardy virus that can survive in the environment for 12 months or more. It is also easily transmitted, so strict hygiene and special disinfectants are required. Parvovirus causes a severe gastroenteritis that affects dogs and puppies of all ages, but is most severe in puppies under 6 months. Death can occur within 24 hours. Symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, depression and, in some cases, heart failure.
Canine Cough Kennel (Canine) Cough is a disease complex caused by a mixture of viruses and bacteria, the 2 main components being the Canine Parainfluenza virus and a bacterium Bordatella bronchiseptica. Though called 'kennel' cough dogs can become infected from any place where dogs mix, including shows, parks, grooming parlours, and training classes. Symptoms aren't fatal but, like the human 'flu', can persist for weeks and cause a harsh, dry cough. In some cases the infection spreads from the upper respiratory tract to the lungs, causing the more serious diseases of pneumonia or bronchitis.
Canine Leptospirosis is not a common disease in Australia but can be a problem where there are large wild rat numbers and dogs consume food or water contaminated with rat urine. This is mostly a problem around rubbish tips, crop harvests or times of rat plagues. Your vet will advise you if this extra vaccination is required for your dog.
Canine Coronavirus is closely related to Canine Parvovirus and causes gastrointestinal disturbances. In severe cases similar symptoms may be seen, including sudden onset of profuse bloody, watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, depression, anorexia and dehydration. Although the mortality rate is not as high as with Parvovirus, severely affected animals require hospitalisation and intensive treatment. A new vaccine is now available to aid in protection against disease caused by canine coronavirus. This is a combined vaccine with Canine Leptospirosis
Hip Dysplasia A common disorder in canines, this degenerative disease causes the hip joint to become damaged, causing pain and problems with mobility. Symptoms occur over a long period of time and can manifest in symptoms such as slower movement and problems getting up and down. Treatment options will vary, but include exercises, pain medications, and even surgery.Hip Dysplasia in amstaffs is polygenetic,meaning that even if both sire and dam have good hips,They can still produce a litter of hip dysplastic pups.Minimizing the occurrence of hip dysplasia comes from a long history of testing.
Luxating patella is where the kneecap is displaced out of its normal position in the knee joint. It may luxate (come out of the "joint") to the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg.The normal position of the patella (kneecap) is in the centre of the front of the knee. It glides up and down in a groove in the femur (the top leg bone) as the knee bends and extends, and is held in place by the patella ligament. The patella ligament attaches to the top of the tibia (the bottom leg bone).
Luxating means dislocating, so that a luxating patella moves out of the groove in the femur, usually towards the inside of the knee (medially luxating). If the patella dislocates towards the outside of the knee it is called a laterally luxating patella.It is usually the result of a congenital problem whereby the point where the patella ligament attaches to the tibia is not on the midline, but more towards the inside of the knee. This means that the patella is pulled towards the inside of the knee each time the knee bends and the patella can be dislocated out of the groove. This can happen intermittently or the patella can be permanently dislocated.Some dogs also have a shallow groove in their femur that lets the patella move out of its central position more easily. Also, over time the inner side of the groove wears down due to constant movement of the patella over it, and the problem worsens.
Some pets are prone to a patella luxation because they have a shallow groove, or no groove at all, where the kneecap normally sits. This variation in anatomy allows the kneecap to "slip out" with movement.
Congenital heart disease Some American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are born with this condition and symptoms and treatments vary. Many dogs have no problems at all, while others will require monitoring and medications to make sure the heart is working properly.Several forms of genetic heart disease have been seen in the american staffordshire terrier breed,These include:Mitral Valve Prolapse,Pulmonic Valvular Stenosis,Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis and others.It is strongly recommended that breeding stock be tested by a cardiologist rather than by a regular vet who may miss the heart murmur.The mode of inheritance of heart disease is not yet known and any dog affected with heart disease should not be used in breeding stock.
Cataracts Caused by genetic factors, these cataracts can cause blindness and vision disturbances. Treatments are available for severe cases and require surgery to remove the cataracts.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (P.R.A.) is a group of disorders affecting the photoreceptors in the retina that results in gradual blindness. The photoreceptors are the rods and cones, which change light into electrical signals for transmission to the brain. It is also known as Progressive Retinal Degeneration (P.R.D.).P.R.A. may be due to dysplasia (abnormal development) of the retina, which results in blindness at a young age, or premature degeneration of the retina. Many breeds are affected, including Poodles, Australian Cattle Dogs, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Akitas, and Irish Setters, although over 30 breeds are reported to have the inherited problem. It is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, meaning that carriers of the gene do not develop P.R.A. but pass the gene on to their offspring.
Hives Since the coat of the American Staffordshire Terrier is so short, the skin is often exposed to the elements and the outside environment. This often creates a situation in which the skin can become irritated more easily by insects or heat, even stress, causing hives or small welts in the skin.
Cerebellar Ataxia is a neurlogical disorder.The desease is also called Cerebellar Cortical Degenerationor Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscineosis (NCL)The first signs of the disease usually appear between 3 and 5 years of age in affected dogs. More rarely,early or late-onset symptoms can appear between 1.5-3 years or after 5 years. Symptoms are loss ofbalance, difficulty cornering, and falling when shaking their head. When they became unable to walkwithout falling repeatedly, owners usually make the difficult choice to euthanize. The clinical diagnosis isrealized by excluding others diseases and confirmed by a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).The Cerebellar Ataxia is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Heartworm The thought of a large worm-like alien wriggling around inside your heart, growing relentlessly inside your defenceless body by feeding on your own blood and slowly but surely sending you to your maker makes.It seems that heartworms have been killing pets for centuries. The first published records of the infection in dogs occurred in 1847.If your pet is in a heartworm-infected area and if the preventive is not being given regularly then infection is more likely and it is very likely where dogs receive no preventative medication. A worsening cough is usually one of the first signs. The dog then becomes inactive and lethargic due to the weakening of its heart. It will not be able to tolerate exercise without coughing.In severe cases, fluid leaks out of the blood vessels and accumulates in the lungs and the lower part of the abdomen. This fluid gives the dog's abdomen a 'pear-shaped' appearance, resembling the shape of a balloon filled with water.
Sometimes, the animal will suddenly collapse. This is associated with deep, laboured breathing, extreme weakness, the development of blue appearance to the tongue and of paleness of the gums.Unless your dog is seriously affected by the disease, treatment is usually successful.your veterinarian is likely to want kill the adult worms and also the microscopically small young worms, called microfilaria, in your dog's blood stream.Thankfully, preventing heartworm disease is easy and all dogs and cats should be on some form of preventive medication.
There are several choices. A daily heartworm preventive has been available for dogs for many years but has been mostly superseded.Monthly heartworm medications are popular. Some are available as tablets, some as chews and some as 'spot on the back of the neck' preparations. Many of these also help to control intestinal worms.A recent advance in heartworm prevention is the yearly Once-A-Year Heartworm Prevention injection.