Cushings Disease is a malfunction of the adrenal glands causing them to produce too much steroid hormone. Some grade II masses seem to benefit from more extensive surgery and sometimes adjuvant radiation of the surrounding area (Dobson & Scase 2007). That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Stafford. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. We use cookies to improve your experience of our site. She has a strong chase instinct, so she needs to be leash walked and a fenced play area is a must. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions for common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Staffordshire bull terriers are predisposed to these tumours (Baker-Gabb et al 2003) and are said to be around four times as likely to develop them than the average dog (http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/derm/Home/MASTCELL/canine/cmct.htm). You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms can get into hersystem in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. This grading, based on the microscopic appearance of biopsy specimens, is also useful to aid decision making for treatment and to guide prognosis (Patnaik et al 1984). Demodex is a microscopic mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. Baker-Gabb BM, Hunt G and France M (2003) Soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumours in dogs; clinical behaviour and response to surgery. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Weigh your puppy every three to four weeks. This appears to be influenced partly by the site of the tumour. Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. Mast cells are part of the immune system. Clinical Cancer Research 15: 3856-65, Marconato L, Bettini G, Giacoboni C, Romanelli G, Cesari A, Zatelli A and Zini E (2008) Clinicopathological Features and Outcome for Dogs with Mast Cell Tumors and Bone Marrow Involvement. Stiffness in your Staffords elbows or hips may become a problem for him, especially as he matures. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 11-12 years. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. For further details about this condition, please click on the following: (these link to items down this page). Many cancers are cured by surgically removing them, and some types are treatable with chemotherapy. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infectionsthe same ones that all dogs can getsuch as parvo, rabies, and distemper. It is likely, since there is clearly a genetic basis to the Staffordshire bull terriers predisposition to develop the disease, that breeding only from dogs that have not had mast cell tumours would result in reduction in its prevalence. Cancer morbidity in dogs and cats from Alameda County. Ackerman L. The Genetic Connection: A Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs. While it may seem overwhelming, each condition can be diagnosed and treated to prevent undue pain and suffering. They also play a central role in allergic reactions (Gorman & Halliwell 1989, Misdorp 2004, Dobson & Scase 2007). The blood clotting mechanism can also sometimes be affected. Well clean your dogs teeth regularly and let you know what you can do at home to keep those pearly whites clean. There are also several types of the systemic form of the disease in which the disease is found throughout the body. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? Solitary mast cell tumours vary fromn the benign to the aggressively malignant. There may also be adverse welfare consequences associated with efforts to diagnose and treatment these tumours (whoch may include surgery and radiotherapy) (Ladue et al 1998, Blackwood 2010, Chaffin & Thrall 2002, Weiss et al 2002, London et al 2009, Robat et al 2010). Mast cell tumours are the second commonest malignant tumour of dogs, affecting 129 per 100,000 insured dogs each year (Dobson et al 2002, Brnden et al 2010), and they represent around 20 per cent of all the skin tumours reported (Dorn et al 1968). Exercise your dog regularly, but dont overdo it at first. She is well suited to apartment life as long as she is given daily walks and frequent play sessions. And unfortunately, your Stafford is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. If your friend is prone to seizures, they will usually begin between six months and three years of age. The appearance of a mast cell tumour in the skin is very variable and can be hard to distinguish from other growths. These chemicals can have adverse effects both locally and elsewhere (Misdorp 2004, Dobson & Scase 2007). Note the length of the seizure, and call us or an emergency hospital. Although the lower grade forms of the disease may be completely cured, death is a common outcome for the more malignant forms. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, herage, and other factors. Many of these dogs can barely breathe! Their welfare effects range from the local itching, discomfort and pain associated with localised tumours in the skin, to the more severe pain, discomfort and malaise that is experienced when internal organs are affected or as a result of gastrointestinal ulceration caused by the release of the chemical histamine. In severe cases, surgical correction may be recommended. Shell feel better, and so will you! Chemotherapeutic agents (TKIs) can be useful in the treatment of the higher-grade tumours (perhaps especially in c-KIT positive animals). Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Well take X-rays of your dogs bones to identify issues as early as possible. An overbite or underbite is called a malocclusion, or a bad bite. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 42: 435-443, Robat C, London C, Bunting L, McCartan L, Stingle N, Selting K, Kurzman I and Vail DM (2010) Safety evaluation of combination vinblastine and toceranib phosphate (Palladia) in dogs: a phase I dose-finding study. Manson Publishing Ltd, London, Owen L (1980) TNM Classification of Tumours in Domestic Animals. Mast cell tumours are among the commonest forms of neoplasia (cancer) in dogs. Recently-developed drugs may prove more effective (London et al 2009, Blackwood 2010, Robat et al 2010). More rapid progress would be possible if it there was a way to detect the genes responsible for the condition, but there is no genetic test at present. Of course! In some severe cases, the problem may be extremely difficult to control. Veterinary Pathology 21: 469474, Peters JA (1969) Canine mastocytoma: excess risk as related to ancestry. Your Stafford counts on you to take good care of her, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that she lives a long and healthy life. Mast cell tumors are a particularly nasty type of skin cancer found more often in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and the sooner they are surgically removed the better. Its best to stick to our recommended growth rate of no more than four pounds per week. Trouble is, they often look just like other kinds of skin lumps and lesions, some of which are harmful, and others not. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. Though its tempting to give your pal food when she looks at you with those soulful eyes, you can love her to death with leftover people food and doggie treats. She has low grooming needs. Locally, there is often inflammation around the tumour mass with redness, oedema (fluid in the tissue), and pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice 43: 240-6, Dobson JM and Scase TJ (2007) Advances in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs. By knowing about health concerns specific to Staffordshire Bull Terriers, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. Misaligned teeth can also occur and cause lots of problems, but can usually be corrected with braces or extractions. ContinueFind out more, An information resource for prospective pet owners, Related terms: mastocytoma, mast cell sarcoma, mastocytosis. Teeth abnormalities are often genetically induced and are relatively common in dogs, especially in purebred dogs like your Stafford. Dont worrywell show you how! Veterinary Pathology 46: 227-32, Murphy S, Sparkes AH, Brearley MJ, Smith KC and Blunden AS (2004) Relationships between the histological grade of cutaneous mast cell tumours in dogs, their survival and the efficacy of surgical resection. If you would like to make a personal donation or learn more about their organization, please click on the links below. Shes your best friend, companion, and a source of unconditional love. If we dont prevent or treat dental disease, your buddy will lose her teeth and be in danger of damaging her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints. Journal of Small Animal Practice 48: 424431, Dorn CR, Taylor DO, Schneider R, Hibbard HH and Klauber MR (1968) Survey of animal neoplasms in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, California II. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest herskin and ears. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Our goal is to provide the best health care possible: health care thats based on her breed, lifestyle, and age. Give us a call for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs: Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these types of signs: DNA testing is a rapidly advancing field with new tests constantly emerging to help in the diagnosis of inherited diseases before they can become a problem for your friend. The duration of the period when welfare is compromised depends on the malignancy, form and site of the tumour. There can be both mechanical effects (eg due to the tumour compressing or compromising the movement of surrounding tissues) and chemical effects, due to the release of histamine and other biologically active substances produced by the tumour cells, that make the skin inflamed and itchy or painful, and which cause gastrointestinal ulceration and pain. There is no doubt that the high prevalence of mast cell tumours in Staffordshire bull terriers has a genetic basis as the predisposition of these dogs to developing the disease is well-recognised (Peters 1969, Scott et al 1995, Baker-Gabb et al 2003, Dobson & Scase 2007). Normally a dogs immune system keeps the mites in check, but some breeds, like your Stafford, develop an overabundance of these mites. World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, Patnaik AK, Ehler WJ and MacEwen EG (1984) Canine cutaneous mast cell tumor: morphologic grading and survival time in 83 dogs. Some tumors can be volleyball-sized or larger before signs of sickness show. These cancers are most commonly found in the skin but can occur at other sites throughout the body especially in the gastrointestinal tract (Misdorp 2004, Dobson & Scase 2007, Valent 2010). Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 38: 71-73, Zemke D, Yamini B and Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V (2002) Mutations in the Juxtamembrane Domain of c-KIT Are Associated with Higher Grade Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs. The Staffordshire radiates energy and is enthusiastic in everything she does. We can treat the arthritisthe sooner the betterto minimize discomfort and pain. The effects of mast cell tumours on welfare depend on the malignancy and the site of the tumour. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology no. The exact defect responsible for the disease is unknown. Well check his eyes for problems, and discuss specific conditions as they apply to your buddy. The welfare effects of these tumours depend on their malignancy and the sites at which they grow. Spread of the tumour to internal organs can also lead to pain. She is happy and animated with a smile on her face. Spread of the tumour to internal organs can compromise their function and cause pain. Oligodontia is a condition where only a few teeth are present. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch. Their powerful jaws require a multitude of durable chew toys. Commonly, the feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most affected. We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. As well as causing disease in the same way as other cancers by causing organ damage and dysfunction, pain, debilitation and reduced appetite - mast cell tumours can also cause disease through the uncontrolled release of the biologically active chemicals that are produced in these specialised cells (Dobson & Scase 2007). Of course, we cant cover every possibility here, so always check with us if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms. 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