English Staffordshire Bull Terriers & Heart Disease

Bred to hunt and kill vermin and used in dog fighting in the 1800s, the bold and feisty English Staffordshire bull terrier earned the nickname "the nanny dog" for its love of children, despite its fighting history. Although considered a healthy and robust breed, the Stafford bull is predisposed to heart disease.

Types of Heart Disease

Three types of canine heart disease exist. Regular visits to your veterinarian ensure early detection.

Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis

Although rare, a hereditary condition called subvalvular aortic stenosis occurs in Stafford bull terriers. The condition is caused by an obstruction in the heart, causing a murmur, and has been detected as early as four weeks old.

Endocardiosis

When heart valves cannot close properly, it causes an abnormal blood flow called chronic valvular disease or endocardiosis. The condition can occur in Stafford bulls 6 years or older and is managed well with diet and exercise.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

As the muscles of the heart weaken, a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy occurs. The flow of blood slows, causing fluid to leak from the capillaries into the dog's lungs.

Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms of heart disease include suppressed appetite, weight loss, irregular or rapid breathing, coughing and lethargy.

Prognosis

Valvular disease and dilated cardiomyopathy can cause heart failure--when one side of the heart does more work to compensate for the inefficiency of the other side, the muscles can fail and the heart is unable to pump blood properly.

References

• Dog Names: Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog & Puppies
• Dog Adoption and Training: The Bull Terrier Profile
• Terrific Pets: The Most Common Heart Disease in Small Dogs: Endocardiosis

Resources

• "Getting to Know Staffords"; Rae Joy; 2008