Welcome to Australian Bulldogs Health!
Introduction
Here I will attempt to cover as many of the common Australian Bulldog ailments as possible, as well as others the British Bulldog suffers just in case. Some of this information is from my own experience and some from other Australian Bulldog and British Bulldog owners, breeders and enthusiasts. I will try to have each illness in a catagory for easy searching. Alot of these illnesses I have never seen or heard of any Australian Bulldog having but they are there just in case.
Health Sections
Health Content
Eyes
Cherry eye, Irritated inner eyelid, Dry eye, Conjunctivitis, Entropian,Ulceration of the cornea.
Ears
Dirty/Infected ears, Closed ears, Ear mites, Ear scratching and head shakes.
Nose
Reverse sneezing, Pinched nostrils, Dry nose, Sneezing.
Head
Head shakes, Tear stains, Sore wrinkles.
Throat
Elongated soft palate and other airway disorders, Sleep apnoea, Frothing, Other important issues regarding the throat.
Skin
Itchy skin, Mange (Demodectic), Baldness.
Skeletal
OCD and hip dysplasia, Hip clicking, Luxating patella.
Feet
Interdigital cysts, Long nails.
Tail
Tail problems, Tail types.
Internal
Uninary infections and cystitis, Pyometra, Vaginitis and discharges, Thrush.
Lymph Glands
Infected lymph glands, Lymphoma.
Health Tips
The medicine cabinet,
Health checks, Hypoallergenic diet, Poisoning first aid.
Gastrointestinal
Vommiting, Diarrhea, Constipation.
Australian Bulldog Health Background
The Australian Bulldog was bred from a combination of dogs and even though the breed was for a healthier breed it still does contain typical illnesses of some of these breeds and in particular the British Bulldog.
I am only interested in the health of these dogs and providing information to help in diagnosing as many as possible of the issues that may affect our dogs. In my experience I have found vets unaware of these common issues and the treatments for them, thus leading to everything from multiple visits and extra costs to unnecessary operations and even fatalities of our precious friends!
If in some way I can help and provide something to help the owners and dogs then that will be worthwhile.
So the Australian Bulldog was bred from "foundation dogs" which consisted of Bullmastiff/Staffordshire Bullterrier/Boxer. These dogs were pig dogs and some specially bred to assist in the breeding program of the Austraian Bulldog. Add to these breeds the predominately Cauchi lines that incorporated the American Bulldog. These dogs were mated to British Bulldogs till the predetermined 13/16ths or 81.25% British Bulldog content was acquired.
Special Comment
A ‘real good type’ of Australian Bulldog – i.e. not your 1st generation dogs should not have frothing, sleep apnoea, soft palate etc etc – all these come from having too short a nose and other British Bulldog build traits. I would suggest that an Australian Bulldog bred properly – i.e. away from the British Bulldog – and falling into the ABS Breed Standard - i.e. with more nose, straighter legs, longer back, better tail, wider hips etc, would be far more likely NOT to have the British Bulldog type problems.
Pip Nobes 2009
