ART WORK

Thyroid- This is an imbalance in the Thyroid's ability to regulate the Canine's basic metabolism. The manifestations go from a dog with lethargy, mental lassitude, weight gain, dull coat, skin infections, constipation, diarrhea, cold intolerance, skin odor, hair loss, greasy skin, dry skin, reproductive problems, aggression, and there are a few more. A test for thyroid can be done and the treatment can be as simple as a couple of pills a day. This medication is easily administered and not costly overall. Check with your vet for more information.

This is a hereditary problem that the dogs are tested for if they are going to breed. The blood work is certified through the OFA.

Cataracts and Glaucoma - This is a huge problem in our breed. It seems that about 9 years ago a litter was born that yielded many of it's get had Glaucoma (Not at the time of whelp but later in the dogs lives about 2003). The unfortunate outcome was that each one of these dogs bred .The breedings before they got glaucoma were understandable. To use these offspring in your breedings after the knowledge that they were affected, was not a wise idea since the offspring had the possibility of being carriers of the gene. The offspring that these dogs produced were so beautiful, that the possibility that glaucoma could develop down the road for their puppies was not considered. The desire to produce beautiful dogs over took the need to protect the breed's health. Many breeders are importing dogs now to water down the genes, however once it is injected in your line, it is there.

An article in the Gazette illustrated how long forgotten genes reappear years later. A columnist wrote about her terrier bitch that had puppies. She looked at the litter and one of the dogs was distinctly a different breed of terrier. She mused about the possibility of an accident but knew that she had not gone to any shows or let the btich out of her sight. After a great deal of study she discovered that 100 years prior a different breed of terrier had been introduced for shape and form to her breed. She then knew that this injection had caused her little surprise. All her friends who had bred for some time said that although not common, it happens.

The same can be said for a buried health issue. It will crop up. Once there it can always show up.

There are studies being done at the University of Missouri in Columbia to discover the marker that Glaucoma is carried on. Should this discovery be made it can solve many of the mysteries of who could be a carried and who is not.

Until then it is wise to distance one's self from this problem.

Dogs can be tested for this and receive a number from CERF. Many Bouvier breeders think that a Gonioscopy is the answer. Eye doctors and specifically the doctor doing the study at Mizzou has said that a Gonio is not any proof that a dog will or will not come down with Glaucoma. It is a test that is a waste to spend money on.

A CERF test for glaucoma tells one if their dog has or does not have glaucoma at that precise moment. This malady can crop up quickly and in fact over night. So a test this month yielding good eyes can be quite the opposite next month.

The ABdFC realizing the size of the problem in the breed at this point has suggested breeders get eyes checked every two years. Why? Because this over used and saturated pedigree is there and still being used to excess. Even though many breeders have been stung by the problem of cataracts and glaucoma, the ones that have not feel that "it won't happen to me, I have tested dogs". They could not be further from the truth.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia - This is a problem but will not kill the dog fortunately. Getting hips and elbows checked is a valid way to see if you dog has joint problems. There are two gold standards for checking, Penn Hip and OFA. OFA will not pass dogs that are injured or have a miniscule offset. These dogs do not show signs of Hip Dysplasia but because of the shape or the injury, chips and the like, they will not pass. A unilateral displacement is thought not to be Hereditary but environmental. It is wise to consult with a doctor about your dogs hip conditions and to talk with the OFA if you need clarification on a reading. They are helpful and will explain your dogs findings. Dogs who pass can get anywhere from a fair to an excellent. Penn hip uses an approach that predicts the possibility of arthritis in a dog. It predicts based on the hips at present.

Heart Problems- This is also a problem in our breed. It is thought that if you have a heart murmur that a dog has a death sentence. This is not always the case. A dog can have multiple levels of heart problems and various deformities within the heart. While it is true you can have a vet "listen for" a murmur, once one is found, it is responsible to continue your research and have the dog echo cardio-grammed for the extent of the malady. It is conceivable that a dog can have a murmur at birth that is loud enough to hear, however after the dog grows. the murmur is much more difficult to detect and if not echoed, the dog can be passed in a noisy clinic situation and obtain their OFA. It is very important for the health of the dog to indentify the problem and know the extent as special circumstances can arise that make it necessary to treat a dog with a heart murmur differently when prescribing medication for a minor cut or abrasion. These dogs can get infections that will go to their heart and settle in it. Signs of a severe heart problem vary but lethargy, getting tired easily, getting winded after a small walk all can signal a problem. This should not be taken lightly and it is best that you seek attentiona immediately from a cardiologist that deals with dogs to seek advise and the course of action.

Dogs can be tested for this. It is one of the tests that breeders give before they consider breeding. OFA certifies dogs that have been tested clear.

This breeder keeps all prelims, certifications and tests in their archived folders. We produce these tests when applicable. We do not post on OFA anymore due to competitors assumptions. We do however attend Health clinics sponsored by the OFA and use their testing standards to officially clear our dogs of these illnesses. If you intend to breed it is of the utmost importance that you seek out dogs that are not of questionable health pedigree and to secure each of your dog’s reputations with OFA, hip, elbow, thyroid, heart and CERF eye examinations and certifications. The process is not a cheap endevor. It costs us on the average 500 dollars a dog to run each test. Clinics can help bring down the costs by 100 dollars. If you intend to breed, it is essential to make the effort. We feel very strongly about health testing to protect the future of the Bouvier des Flandres.
Bouvier Health Issues Explained in Depth