08/07/2023
# Health Issues Bichon frise Can Have
Bichon Frise are adorable crossbreed of Cavachon and Cavalier King Charles that are known for their low-shedding coats, friendly personalities, and high intelligence. However, like any dog breed, they are also prone to some health issues that can affect their quality of life and longevity. Here are some of the most common health issues that Bichon Frise can have and how to prevent or treat them.
# # Orthopedic Conditions
Bichon Frise can inherit orthopedic conditions from both of their parent breeds, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These are caused by abnormal development of the hip or elbow joints, resulting in looseness, inflammation, and pain. Symptoms include difficulty walking, limping, stiffness, and reduced activity. These conditions can be diagnosed by X-rays and treated with anti-inflammatory medications, supplements, weight management, and surgery in severe cases.
Another orthopedic condition that can affect Bichon Frise is degenerative myelopathy (DM), which is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord. This causes weakness, loss of coordination, and paralysis of the hind legs. Symptoms usually start when the dog is between 4 to 14 years old and worsen over time. There is no cure for DM, but supportive care such as physical therapy, supplements, mobility aids, and pain management can help improve the dog's quality of life.
# # Heart Disease
Bichon Frise are also at risk of developing heart disease, especially subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), which is a congenital defect that narrows the area below the aortic valve. This obstructs blood flow through the heart, leading to abnormal heart sounds, fainting, exercise intolerance, and sudden death. Symptoms can be detected by listening to the heart with a stethoscope or performing an echocardiogram. Treatment options include medications to reduce the workload of the heart, surgery to widen the narrowed area, or a pacemaker to regulate the heart rhythm.
# # Eye Disorders
Another common health issue for Bichon Frise is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which is a genetic condition that causes the cells in the retina to degenerate over time, leading to blindness. Symptoms usually start when the dog is between 3 to 5 years old and include night blindness, dilated pupils, reduced vision, and cataracts. There is no treatment for PRA, but regular eye exams can help monitor the progression of the disease and prevent secondary complications such as glaucoma or infection.
# # Skin Problems
Bichon Frise can also suffer from skin problems such as sebaceous adenitis (SA), which is an inflammatory condition that affects the sebaceous glands in the skin. This causes dryness, scaling, hair loss, and infection of the skin. Symptoms can vary depending on the type and length of the coat, but they usually appear on the head, neck, and back. SA can be diagnosed by skin biopsy and treated with topical or oral medications, shampoos, supplements, and dietary changes.
