Wild Child
Health Issues Page
Neapolitan Mastiff
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All content is protected under US copyright laws, no part of this site or its contents may be reproduced without permission. That includes linking to photos, downloading photos and using them for your own purposes, and posting photos for people to view. For questions or comments regarding this site please email Webmaster
BONES & JOINTS Being a giant breed, Neapolitans can suffer from the usual joint and bone ailments such as:
Panosteitis Usually seen between 6-18 months of age, but they can be older. It causes a 'shifting lameness' from one leg to another, sometimes more than one leg affected at once. Can last up to 9-12 months. Pain relief and cage rest with restricted exercise with cure this condition.
Hygroma Usually seen on the elbow joints, this fluid swelling can occur due to sleeping on hard surfaces, but more often than not, can just arise with no reason. Hygromas cause no lasting health issues, but are unsightly. I personally have tried a number of treatments ranging from draining and pressure bandaging, but have found that unless they are a show dog, the best course of action is to leave them to resolve on their own.
Osteochondrosis Lameness is usually seen between 6-9 months of age. Affects the cartilage within the joint, causing inflammation and pain. It can lead to Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) if a small piece of cartilage dies and either flaps back or dislodges, becoming a fragment within the joint. Usually affectes the large joints, ie shoulder, elbow, stifle and hock.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Usually seen at 3-4 months of age. Can cause mild to severe lameness and may recover with no treatment. In mild cases, it causes swellings around the joints, but in severe cases, it can cause bowing of the legs, weight loss, not eating and diarrhoea. The cause is unknown, but may be oversupplementation, overnutrition or lack of vitamin C.
Hip & Elbow dysplasia Common in giant breeds and usually a congenital trait from the parents or grandparents. It can cause mild to severe lameness and pain. Elbow dysplasia can be corrected surgically with little difficulty, but hip dysplasia correction is more involved and can be costly.
Panosteitis Usually seen between 6-18 months of age, but they can be older. It causes a 'shifting lameness' from one leg to another, sometimes more than one leg affected at once. Can last up to 9-12 months. Pain relief and cage rest with restricted exercise with cure this condition.
Hygroma Usually seen on the elbow joints, this fluid swelling can occur due to sleeping on hard surfaces, but more often than not, can just arise with no reason. Hygromas cause no lasting health issues, but are unsightly. I personally have tried a number of treatments ranging from draining and pressure bandaging, but have found that unless they are a show dog, the best course of action is to leave them to resolve on their own.
Osteochondrosis Lameness is usually seen between 6-9 months of age. Affects the cartilage within the joint, causing inflammation and pain. It can lead to Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) if a small piece of cartilage dies and either flaps back or dislodges, becoming a fragment within the joint. Usually affectes the large joints, ie shoulder, elbow, stifle and hock.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Usually seen at 3-4 months of age. Can cause mild to severe lameness and may recover with no treatment. In mild cases, it causes swellings around the joints, but in severe cases, it can cause bowing of the legs, weight loss, not eating and diarrhoea. The cause is unknown, but may be oversupplementation, overnutrition or lack of vitamin C.
Hip & Elbow dysplasia Common in giant breeds and usually a congenital trait from the parents or grandparents. It can cause mild to severe lameness and pain. Elbow dysplasia can be corrected surgically with little difficulty, but hip dysplasia correction is more involved and can be costly.
When choosing your breed, be aware that generally speaking, the larger the dog, the greater the veterinary cost!! If you do decide on a giant breed such as a Neapolitan, be sure to either insure the dog with pet insurance, or create an account specifically for them, as they can become very costly if they are injured or ill.
OCD lesion in the shoulder joint
Diagrams of normal and dysplastic hips
There are many more conditions that affect the growing bones and joints of large and giant breeds, but these are the most common issues seen.
An easy way to assess hip & elbow function in adult dogs is by watching them at a trot.
Dogs should exhibit 'economical movement' with both Reach, where the leg moves as far forward as possible, and Drive, where the leg moves as far back as possible. Dogs with a shortened gait in either front or back (or both) can have joint problems in the affected limbs.
An easy way to assess hip & elbow function in adult dogs is by watching them at a trot.
Dogs should exhibit 'economical movement' with both Reach, where the leg moves as far forward as possible, and Drive, where the leg moves as far back as possible. Dogs with a shortened gait in either front or back (or both) can have joint problems in the affected limbs.
'Drive' - note the extension of the hindlimb
'Reach' - note the extension of the forelimb, including the shoulder!
Whilst a 'proppy' or shortened gait is not a definite indicator of joint dysplasia, it will, given time, wear the joint excessively, as it is an abnormal gait.
There are a number of conditions seen in Neapolitans worldwide, and it is our belief that dogs should be routinely tested and/or checked for eye conditions, including:
EYES
Normal Retina
PRA affected retina
Cherry eye Where the third eyelid protrudes over the eye itself. This condition is easily rectified, but if infection is already present, complications can arise. There are a few lines that have endeavoured to eliminate this from their stock.
Entropian Seen regularly in many breeds, but Neapolitans tend to be more prone due to their excessive wrinkle and thickness of skin causing their eyelid (in particular, the upper lid) to roll in and rub against the eye. If left unchecked, it can cause corneal ulceration and blindness due to abrasion of the lashes and hair on the eye itself. Speaking from experience, corneal ulceration is VERY painful and despite many dogs being apparently unaffected by their ulcers, once the entropian is surgically fixed, their relief is obvious!
Ectropian Also seen regularly in many breeds, eg bloodhounds and bassetts, creating the 'haw' appearance of the lower lid. It occurs when the eyelid, usually the lower, rolls out, exposing the pink conjunctiva. It is acceptable in many breeds, including Neapolitans, but it can look unsightly and may cause tear staining of the face and corneal ulceration due to dry eyes.
Progressive retinal atrophy PRA involves degeneration of the retina causing blindness, which can develop over a relatively long period, but there is no pain involved, so the condition can go unnoticed until the latter stages. Some owners remark on an increase in the 'glow' of the eye at night and in photos, and the condition often begins with night blindness. There are DNA tests available for dominant PRA in mastiffs, so any breeding stock should be tested prior to breeding!!
Canine multifocal retinopathy This disease causes 'wrinkles' or 'blisters' in the retina, but no obvious blindness occurs. CMR has been seen in mastiffs overseas, but unfortunately, due to the small number of breeders testing and checking for diseases, we are not yet sure that this disease is prevalent in the Neapolitan mastiff. If any puppy bred by ourselves is diagnosed with CMR by a veterinary ophthalmologist, we will be happy to take samples and pay for testing.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane It is not clear if this disease is inherited, but it is regularly tested for overseas and affected dogs should be excluded from breeding programs. PPM clinical signs can range from nothing to complete blindness &/or cataracts. It can be seen in young dogs as white spots on the iris or may show as cataracts or vision impaired. There is no treatment available for the strands themselves, but in cases of severe cataract formation it can be surgically assisted by veterinary ophthalmologists.
Entropian Seen regularly in many breeds, but Neapolitans tend to be more prone due to their excessive wrinkle and thickness of skin causing their eyelid (in particular, the upper lid) to roll in and rub against the eye. If left unchecked, it can cause corneal ulceration and blindness due to abrasion of the lashes and hair on the eye itself. Speaking from experience, corneal ulceration is VERY painful and despite many dogs being apparently unaffected by their ulcers, once the entropian is surgically fixed, their relief is obvious!
Ectropian Also seen regularly in many breeds, eg bloodhounds and bassetts, creating the 'haw' appearance of the lower lid. It occurs when the eyelid, usually the lower, rolls out, exposing the pink conjunctiva. It is acceptable in many breeds, including Neapolitans, but it can look unsightly and may cause tear staining of the face and corneal ulceration due to dry eyes.
Progressive retinal atrophy PRA involves degeneration of the retina causing blindness, which can develop over a relatively long period, but there is no pain involved, so the condition can go unnoticed until the latter stages. Some owners remark on an increase in the 'glow' of the eye at night and in photos, and the condition often begins with night blindness. There are DNA tests available for dominant PRA in mastiffs, so any breeding stock should be tested prior to breeding!!
Canine multifocal retinopathy This disease causes 'wrinkles' or 'blisters' in the retina, but no obvious blindness occurs. CMR has been seen in mastiffs overseas, but unfortunately, due to the small number of breeders testing and checking for diseases, we are not yet sure that this disease is prevalent in the Neapolitan mastiff. If any puppy bred by ourselves is diagnosed with CMR by a veterinary ophthalmologist, we will be happy to take samples and pay for testing.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane It is not clear if this disease is inherited, but it is regularly tested for overseas and affected dogs should be excluded from breeding programs. PPM clinical signs can range from nothing to complete blindness &/or cataracts. It can be seen in young dogs as white spots on the iris or may show as cataracts or vision impaired. There is no treatment available for the strands themselves, but in cases of severe cataract formation it can be surgically assisted by veterinary ophthalmologists.
To read more information about EYE Issues click here
BEHAVIOUR
Despite the Neapolitans fearsome appearance, they are really not intended to be an 'attack' dog, their main purpose is as a personal guardian. Unfortunately for the breed, there are many of them being used at stud that are not socially acceptable, being either too timid or too aggressive. When choosing your puppy, be sure to view and assess the parents, as they can be a good indicator of temperament in adulthood. As your puppy develops, ensure that they come into contact with the 'outside world' on a regular basis, particularly up until 9 months of age, as this can allow them to become more interactive and social. A good example of this style of training can (and should) include puppy classes and obediance training.
MISCELLANEOUS
There are a multitude of diseases present in breeds throughout the world, some are congenitally linked, ie passed from parent to child, and some occur randomly. Some of the more commonly seen disorders include:
von Willebrands disease vWD is a disorder that causes an inability to clot blood properly. There are 3 different types present in all mammals, but really only Type 1 & 2 are important. All our breeding stock has been blood tested, not DNA tested, and found to be negative to both types of vWD. Blood testing checks for all types, whereas DNA is only available for a very few breeds, and then only for Type 1.
Hypothyroidism This is seen in Neapolitans overseas, but not diagnosed regularly in Australia, however, we're unsure if this is due to lack of testing/checking. It causes a range of abnormalities including skin, reproductive, and behavioural. The most common signs are hair loss, lethargy, scaly skin, recurrent skin infections, aggression and weight gain. All of our adults have been tested prior to breeding.
Gastric torsion/bloat Also called GDV, this is a potentially fatal, emergency situation that I see not uncommonly in large breed, deep chested dogs. It usually occurs after eating, but can be due to ingestion of fermentable substances or exercise after eating. Affected dogs are very uncomfortable, restless and if their belly is tapped gently with the fingertips, it sounds like a drum. If you suspect GDV in your dog, contact your local vet immediately!!
Elongated soft palate This causes snoring and 'reverse sneezing' in many, many breeds, but just as in humans, it can tax the heart and increase the risk of stress and heat stroke. It is easily fixed surgically, but may require more than one surgery to rectify the issue.
Hypothyroidism This is seen in Neapolitans overseas, but not diagnosed regularly in Australia, however, we're unsure if this is due to lack of testing/checking. It causes a range of abnormalities including skin, reproductive, and behavioural. The most common signs are hair loss, lethargy, scaly skin, recurrent skin infections, aggression and weight gain. All of our adults have been tested prior to breeding.
Gastric torsion/bloat Also called GDV, this is a potentially fatal, emergency situation that I see not uncommonly in large breed, deep chested dogs. It usually occurs after eating, but can be due to ingestion of fermentable substances or exercise after eating. Affected dogs are very uncomfortable, restless and if their belly is tapped gently with the fingertips, it sounds like a drum. If you suspect GDV in your dog, contact your local vet immediately!!
Elongated soft palate This causes snoring and 'reverse sneezing' in many, many breeds, but just as in humans, it can tax the heart and increase the risk of stress and heat stroke. It is easily fixed surgically, but may require more than one surgery to rectify the issue.
The information on this page was written by our dear friend Dr. Rebekah Day - the Veterinarian, Neapolitan Mastiff Breeder in Australia, the Owner of The Peritas Kennels,
click on the Peritas to visit her website.
click on the Peritas to visit her website.