Bull Terrier's are often quite prone to slipping knee caps(Luxating Patella’s), if you do not know what a slipping knee cap is when the knee does not fit properly in the socket and often slips out of place with certain movements.
When the knee slips out of place it is extremely painful to the dog, they usually scream in pain and hold the leg up or out or even keep it straight as it is locked into place until it able to slip back into place.
Some times it is able to slip back into place on it's own, but sometimes it cannot and needs the help of a vet to put it back into place.
A skilled vet is able to manipulate the knee of a young puppy to determine if they will have issues as they grow and to what degree.
Some dogs knee's are so severe they need surgery to correct allowing them to live a mostly pain free life.
Good breeders will have the knee's and hips tested on potential sires or dams to be sure they are not passing on poor knee's or hips to the off spring.
Symptoms of slipping knee's are:
Swimming is the best exercise as it is low impact , builds muscles while not putting shock or stress to the frame or joints.
Keeping jumping to a minimum, using a ramp for your dogs over stairs whenever possible and not allowing the dog to jump off
furniture.
Making sure your dog gets a good diet.
IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG MAY HAVE A PROBLEM, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VET RIGHT AWAY TO TALK ABOUT OPTIONS.
In this section I also want to talk a bit about proper bone structure and its importance in good health over-all.
Many people assume that good structure Is nothing more then for “winning shows and looking good”
when this couldn't be farther from the truth!
Good bone structure and proper form are beneficial to good over-all health.
Dogs suffer the same structure problems humans do
bad backs, painful joints, poor digestion, inflammation, lack of energy and stiffness and soreness caused by mis-aligned structure.
Humans spend thousands of dollars each year seeing chiropractors, buying shoe inserts, taking Pilates classes and in pain medication for our sore joints and stiff muscles.
We slouch when we sit, we walk croaked due to being bow legged or pigeon toed.
And dogs are no different except they cannot complain about how sore they are!
Proper bone structure is important in making sure puppies grow up as healthy and in as pain free of a life as one can ensure when creating these puppies (AKA- the breeder)
That is a big part of why responsible breeders breed following the breed clubs standard.
It is also a very good reason to buy a puppy from someone who understands the importance of proper bone structure for more then just its visual aspect.
If you suspect your dog might have issues, contact your vet and see what your options are and what you can do to help keep your Bull Terrier healthy, happy and pain free.
When the knee slips out of place it is extremely painful to the dog, they usually scream in pain and hold the leg up or out or even keep it straight as it is locked into place until it able to slip back into place.
Some times it is able to slip back into place on it's own, but sometimes it cannot and needs the help of a vet to put it back into place.
A skilled vet is able to manipulate the knee of a young puppy to determine if they will have issues as they grow and to what degree.
Some dogs knee's are so severe they need surgery to correct allowing them to live a mostly pain free life.
Good breeders will have the knee's and hips tested on potential sires or dams to be sure they are not passing on poor knee's or hips to the off spring.
Symptoms of slipping knee's are:
- limping or lameness after exercising.
- Sudden screaming in pain while holding up affected leg or letting it hang limp.
- Jaunty walk with the knees pointing outward while walking
- If your dog has problems with its knee's there are a few things you can do to help (contacting your vet being the first!)
Swimming is the best exercise as it is low impact , builds muscles while not putting shock or stress to the frame or joints.
Keeping jumping to a minimum, using a ramp for your dogs over stairs whenever possible and not allowing the dog to jump off
furniture.
Making sure your dog gets a good diet.
IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG MAY HAVE A PROBLEM, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VET RIGHT AWAY TO TALK ABOUT OPTIONS.
In this section I also want to talk a bit about proper bone structure and its importance in good health over-all.
Many people assume that good structure Is nothing more then for “winning shows and looking good”
when this couldn't be farther from the truth!
Good bone structure and proper form are beneficial to good over-all health.
Dogs suffer the same structure problems humans do
bad backs, painful joints, poor digestion, inflammation, lack of energy and stiffness and soreness caused by mis-aligned structure.
Humans spend thousands of dollars each year seeing chiropractors, buying shoe inserts, taking Pilates classes and in pain medication for our sore joints and stiff muscles.
We slouch when we sit, we walk croaked due to being bow legged or pigeon toed.
And dogs are no different except they cannot complain about how sore they are!
Proper bone structure is important in making sure puppies grow up as healthy and in as pain free of a life as one can ensure when creating these puppies (AKA- the breeder)
That is a big part of why responsible breeders breed following the breed clubs standard.
It is also a very good reason to buy a puppy from someone who understands the importance of proper bone structure for more then just its visual aspect.
If you suspect your dog might have issues, contact your vet and see what your options are and what you can do to help keep your Bull Terrier healthy, happy and pain free.