As a large breed, the Fila Brasileiro is more prone to certain health problems, like Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) and Bloat. Their are things you can do to help prevent both of these conditions. Read on to find out what HD and Bloat are and what you can do to prevent them.

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)

What is Hip Dysplasia?
The term "dysplasia" means an alteration in size, shape or organization. The definition of hip dysplasia is an alteration in size, shape, or organization of the hip joint. The hip joint is essentially a typical ball and socket arrangement. When a hip joint is dysplastic, there are alterations in the perfect ball and socket symmetry (the fit is improper, there is flattening of the ball portion, or there is shallowing of the socket portion). The resulting imperfection can lead to joint malfunction which may lead to arthritic changes. The body tries to stabilize the joint by building bony bridges creating osteoarthritis.

Causes of CHD
CHD is a inherited trait that is influenced by several genes. It is not caused by environmental factors, but environment can influence the expression of the disease. It is more common in large, rapidly growing dogs.

Preventing CHD
The first thing you can do to prevent your Fila from getting hip dysplasia is to buy your puppy from a breeder who has all breeding stock x-rayed and checked for CHD. Dogs that have been found to be free of hip dysplasia are registered with the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation For Animals, Inc.). Buying a puppy whose parents are registered with the OFA is your first defense against CHD. The OFA recommends the following guidelines to decrease the incidence of CHD in a breeding program:

1. Breed normal to normal
2. Breed normals with normal ancestry
3. Breed normals from litters with low incidence of CHD
4. Select sire that produces a low incidence of CHD

Some environmental factors which can worsen, but not cause, CHD are: Rough play, jumping, climbing stairs or slippery floors. Excess weight gain or rapid growth and excess calcium supplementation can also worsen the disease.

You should keep your puppies lean, avoid any type of forced exercise or very rough play and provide surfaces that allow for good traction. You should wait until your puppy is at least 7 months old to do any forced running on asphalt (or other hard surfaces).

For more information on the prevention and screening of Canine Hip Dysplasia, check out one of these sites:

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
http://www.offa.org/

Questions and Answers about PennHIP
A New Scientific Method for Early Screening for Hip Dysplasia
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/ResearchCenters/pennhip/
PennHIPFAQ.html

Bloat (Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus)

What is Bloat?
Bloat is a term that is synonymous with the more scientific term "Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus." It is often called GDV. That means that a dog's stomach distends with air to the point that it goes into shock and may die. Dilatation means that the stomach is distended with air, but it is still located in the abdomen in its correct place. Volvulus means that the distention is associated with a twisting of the stomach on its longitudinal axis.

Causes of Bloat
We do not really know what causes Bloat. Original theories suggested that it occurred when a dog ate a large meal of dry food and then drank a lot of water. The water caused the dry food to swell. At the same time, the dog was supposed to be engaged in strenuous exercise that included running and jumping. That resulted in the dog's stomach twisting on itself as the heavy organ was jostled about in the abdomen. Although that is the most common explanation given, in most dogs experiencing GDV the stomach is not excessively full of dry food and the dog has not recently engaged in strenuous exercise. The most current theory is that the stomach's contractions lose their regular rhythm and trap air in the stomach; this can cause the twisting event. This condition almost always occurs in deep-chested dogs of large breeds.

Preventing Bloat
Veterinarians continue to study the bloat problem and still have many unanswered questions. Researchers prepared the following recommendations to help prevent canine bloat.

• Feed the dogs two or three times daily, rather than once a day, and at times when someone can observe them after they have eaten.
• Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement and stress one hour before and two hours after feeding. Walking is okay because it helps stimulate normal gastrointestinal function.
• Feed wet food (canned or moistened dry food)
• Feed dogs individually and in a quiet location.
• Make diet changes gradually over a 3-5 day period.
• Ensure water is always available but limit the amount immediately after feeding.
• Watch for any actions or behavior that may signal abdominal discomfort (abdominal fullness, pacing, salivating, whining, getting up and lying down, stretching, looking at abdomen, anxiety and unsuccessful attempts to vomit, etc.)
• Establish a good relationship with a veterinarian. Discuss emergency procedures.

©1998-2005 Yvette Ogresovich