health problems

[JulieV]

i am thinking about adopting a pit bull from a local shelter. i have never owned one before and was wondering what kind of health concerns are associated with this breed.

[chinasmom]

There is probably some info here. Try a search for health. Good luck.

[TEXAS PIT DOGS]

well it depends on if it is a big ol 100+ pounder or a regular sized pit,if it is regular sized bulldog then you dont have to much to worry about since the game bred type is extremely healthy and long lived.now if it is one of those great big monsters then you can have a host of expensive health problems that are pretty painfull to the dog,so my advice if you are going to adopt is try to adopt one that is the normal pitbull size if you do that then you should have mothing to worry about because like i said earlier they are incrediably healthy when they are bred to the standard size.

[JulieV]

im looking at ones around 40-60 pounds, i think i read something somewhere about knee problems or hip problems? i could be mistaken though i ve done a lot of dog research lately and could be getting it all confused.

[14rock]

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia are not common in working bred dogs. In the larger mix-a-mutts being passed off as pitbulls-it can be VERY common. Some smaller byb dogs, and dogs that were bred without any sort of health concern and only $$ signs in their eyeballs will show joint/bone problems, but it is still extremely rare. To be quite honest, its not something I would worry about, or that I do worry about. If I owned 110 lb. english bulldog mixes-it would be a diffrent story. Select a healthy looking dog who gets around without any noticable problems and love him/her until they die. It is nothing to be losing sleep over if the dog is not breeding stock. If you just want a stable loving pet, I would just adopt and forget about it, as it is not a big issue yet within our breed. They have historically been working dogs, bred to working standards, although some are trying their damndest to ruin the structural integrity our dogs have come to hold.........it is still not a big issue in smaller, fit dogs not that greatly descended from pit ancestors.

[JulieV]

thanks) ill try to attatch a picture of one im considering adopting. this one is actually a boxer/amstaff mix. she is being kept in a foster home located about an hour and half away from me and i havnt met her yet. im also considering one from my local shelter. im getting really excited about this )

edit: i forgot to mention, the one at the shelter has a cold. thats not a bad sign is it?


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/julievmk/twiggy2.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/julievmk/twiggy3.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/julievmk/twiggy1.jpg

[Suki]

well {{{{{{{ HUGS}}}}}}} to you!!! Anyone who adopts just rocks in my book!!!:cool:

and going for breed standard=way to go!!!(weight wise)


Pit Bulls live for an average of 12 to 14 years and usually experience good health for their entire lifetimes. Some common health problems experienced by the breed include Parvo, hereditary cataracts and allergies. They're very high energy, so I hope you have a good pair of sneakers!!!!
Good luck, and may your joy abound!!!!

[JulieV]

ok thanks., sorry for my ignorance but what exactly is parvo? ive heard of it but not sure what it is. dog cancer? what about the dog with the cold is that a bad sign? ill try to attach pics of another one thats in a foster home right now. its going to be hard to decide between these three i think.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/julievmk/Bellla_BLue_3.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f132/julievmk/Bella_Blue_2.jpg

[Defend2DaEnd]

parvo is a virus the dogs get so sick they won't eat and continue to vomit and have diarhea. Usually all dogs in shelters are tested for this. If they test positive they are put down because it can cost up to $1,500 or more to treat the virus with a 50/50 chance of the dog living.

[Suki]

no need to be sorry. That's how we all learn. Here yah go!
sorry, lazy, long day!!!

www.petsdoc.com/html/usefulinfo/canineparvo.html (http://www.petsdoc.com/html/usefulinfo/canineparvo.html)

also, have that "cold" looked at. Anything upper respiratory can lead to something more serious if not treated correctly.
(http://www.animalclinic.com/parvo)

[cary-dude]

I lost a dog to parvo about 2 years ago, Learn about it please so you don't have to go through that. It easily preventable with shots. You should already be in contact with a vet, in other words part of owning a dog is getting to know a vet.

[14rock]

The dog is beautiful, and I hope you can give her a new home. Since this thread is about health problems just let me state that blue pitbulls generally have more health problems, as it is a defect, and also is being bred by less than favorable breeders just looking to make a buck.