A heart valve slowly becomes deformed so that it no longer closes tightly. Blood then leaks back around this valve and strains the heart. Pets with heart valve disease sometimes called mitral valve disease have a heart murmur. The same tests will need to be repeated at least every year to monitor the condition.
If heart valve disease is diagnosed early, we may be able to prescribe medications that could prolong his life for many years. Veterinary dental care and fatty acid supplementation can help prevent heart disease and weight control can help diminish symptoms.
Some breeds like your Bichon can be born with a variety of heart defects. They can also cause problems with the electrical signals that control the heartbeat or with heart valve function. Special testing will be recommended if we hear a heart murmur or you notice any unusual symptoms such as tiring easily, coughing, a swollen belly, or fainting. Your Bichon is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt PSS.
Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Unfortunately, American Water Spaniels can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful!
We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Bichons. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Bichon Frises and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated.
Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes. Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea surface of the eyeball.
This is an extremely irritating and painful condition that can ultimately lead to blindness. It can happen in any dog breed; however, your Bichon is especially at risk for this heritable disorder.
Surgical correction is usually successful if performed early. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Bichon is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition.
If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Bichons are particularly prone to some relatively rare diseases of the blood. If the immune system destroys red blood cells, your dog quickly becomes anemic, weak, and lethargic. His gums will look whitish or yellow instead of the normal bright pink color.
Sometimes an emergency transfusion of red blood cells or platelets is needed. You might notice that he runs along and suddenly picks up a back leg and skips or hops for a few strides. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from popping out of place.
There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Bichon Frises are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Call us immediately! In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch. In dogs, rather than sneeze, allergies make their skin itchy. That doesn't mean a working person can't have a bichon, but this is a breed that really needs your time. They are friendly, sweet little dogs.
Bichons also get along well with other dogs and cats. When your bichon reaches the age of one year, he's no longer a puppy but a full-grown dog. Adult bichon frises stand between 9. Healthy bichons weigh between 10 and 18 pounds. Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications.
Dog Breeds. By Jane Meggitt. Overall, the best thing to do for your puppy when it comes to early eye care is to let nature take its course. Certainly, you should watch for any crusty build-up on the eyes or any other sign that something might be amiss, but in general, just enjoy your puppy transforming itself from a blind, deaf, fur ball into a bouncing, happy animal.
By Doug Jimerson August 24, Pin FB More. YouTube Channel. We have three dogs from here. All of them are doing great. We got very good service and I tell everyone about this place. The people are great and caring. Our dogs are healthy and….
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