Mastiff Health
Emergency Care for
Parvo
Parvo is a disease that affects the intestinal tract and causes
vomiting, diarrhea, fever and decreased ability to fight
infections. It is especially sever in puppies. Oral intake of virus
infected material transmits the infection to susceptible puppies.
Signs of the disease are seen from two up to four weeks post
exposure. The signs are depression, loss of appetite, fever,
vomiting and dehydration. The treatment of dogs infected with parvo
depends on the severity of the infection. Most puppies require
intravenous fluids to maintain their hydration because they are
unable to take in fluids. Anti-nausea medication is also given to
try and stop the vomiting. In addition to the fluid loss, the virus
destroys the lining cells of the intestinal tract, which allows
bacteria from the intestines to enter the body. Therefore
antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria in the bloodstream. A
new antiviral medication called Tamiflu may also be beneficial to
the disease. The best approach to parvo prevention is prevention of
the disease with vaccinations. If you suspect that your dog has
come in contact with parvo call your veterinarian
immediately!
Bloat/Gastric
Torsion
Large breeds are also prone to “bloat”, in which the stomach twists
and blocks food from passing through the intestines. This condition
often leads to serious health problems and can even be fatal.
Therefore, ask your veterinarian about bloat, as well as gastric
torsion. One thing you can do, as an owner to help prevent this is
to feed the Mastiff two or three small meals during the day,
opposed to one large meal. Additionally, you want to eliminate the
situation by not allowing the dog to gulp large amounts of food and
water at any one time. It would be best not to exercise your
Mastiff right before or after a meal, allowing at least an hour
after eating for any real exercise.
Heat Stroke
Many dogs die from heat stroke unless there is prompt and
aggressive intervention. Mastiffs perspire through panting and
through their nose and pads of their feet. Excessive panting may be
a sign that your dog is over heating. Heat stroke occurs when your
dog's body temperature is 106 F. or higher. At this point, it does
not take long to boil the internal organs. If heat stroke occur in
your mastiff, move the dog to a cooler environment. Began cooling
your dog by hosing your dog with cool (not ice cold) water,
directing the water to the groin and armpits. If you don't have a
hose you can place cool wet towels on the groin and armpits. Spray
water in their mouth and place a cool wet towel over their head.
Apply alcohol to the pads of their feet. Direct a fan at the dog to
help with the evaporation process. Last but, not least contact your
veterinarian.
Toxic foods to keep away from your
dog
Chocolate containing Theo bromine can be fatal to your dog. The
darker the chocolate the more theobromine. Other toxic foods are:
coffee, alcohol, grapes, raisins, onions, broccoli or garlic in
large amounts, castor beans, apricot seeds, peach pits, plum pits,
apple seeds, nutmeg and sugarless candies containing xylitol (e.g.
chewing gum). Signs of poisoning include trembling, drooling,
vomiting, and loss of bowel control. If you suspect that your dog
has ingested anything toxic contact your veterinarian
immediately!
Feeding
Mastiffs do best on a dog food that is in the medium range for
protein (20-25%), mid range for fat (12-18%) and is well balanced
for calcium and phosphorus and high in iodine (3-5%). Feeding your
mastiff a dog food that is too high in protein, calories and fat
will push the growth rate and possibly cause joint, ligament and
tendon problems.
Exercise
Exercise in the proper amounts is key to the health and happiness
of your Mastiff. With this being such a large breed, it tends to
gain weight easily. In fact, a Mastiff can become overweight and
unhealthy unless the diet and exercise are correct.