British Bulldog Research Articles

Management of corneal ulcer in a British bull dog by telemedicine

The delivery of healthcare services, where distance is a critical factor, by all healthcare professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, are still poorly practiced for advancing the health of the animals at distant remote areas. Corneal ulcer continues to be a common ophthalmic condition in dogs that originates mostly due to trauma resulting in break in the continuity of underlying corneal stroma, that become contaminated with bacteria in complicated cases. A British bull dog received telemedicine such as eye drops containing Betensol and Neomycin 3 drops thrice daily for 5 days followed by gatifloxacine eye drop for a week, acyclovir at the dose rate of 100mg twice daily for a week. There was very good improvement and the ulcer got completely healed by 15 from start of the therapy.

Prevalence and classification of congenital thoracic vertebral body abnormalities in neurologically normal brachycephalic 'screw-tail' dog breeds in referral practice in Australia.

To evaluate the prevalence, type, site and breed predisposition of thoracic congenital vertebral malformations (CVM) in neurologically normal brachycephalic 'screw-tail' dog breeds. Retrospective case series. Neurologically normal French Bulldogs (n = 63), British Bulldogs (n = 42), Boston Terriers (n = 4) and Pugs (n = 86) presenting for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome treatment. Either a plain computer tomography scan of the thorax or lateral and dorso-ventral digital radiographs of the thoracic vertebral column of each dog were assessed for any vertebral malformations and classed according to the Modified McMaster vertebral abnormality classification scheme proposed by Guiterrez et al. RESULTS: The prevalence of dogs with one or more abnormal vertebrae was 96.82% in French Bulldogs, 90.47% in British Bulldogs, and 76.74% in Pugs. Pugs had significantly lower instances of CVMs than French Bulldogs. The four Boston Terriers all had vertebral malformations, but the results were not considered to be statistically significant due to their small sample size. In French Bulldogs and British Bulldogs, ventral hypoplasia (Type 3) occurred at greater rates than all other types, followed by ventral and median hypoplasia (Types 7) and symmetrical hypoplasia (Type 8). In Pugs, symmetrical hypoplasia (Type 8) was the most common and then ventral hypoplasia (Type 3). The most affected vertebrae were T6-T9 in Pugs and T5-T10 in French Bulldogs and British Bulldogs. The majority of neurologically normal brachycephalic 'screw-tail' dogs assessed in this paper possessed one or more congenital thoracic vertebral malformations. Dogs with vertebral malformations were found to be more likely to have more than one affected vertebra. Sex had no effect on the prevalence of CVM. A substantial number of neurologically normal brachycephalic 'screw-tail' dogs suffer from congenital vertebral malformations. Thus, the need for selective breeding programmes to eliminate this hereditary condition is crucial.

Surgical management of cranial thoracolumbar stenosis and concurrent kyphoscoliosis in a dog by dorsal vertebral stabilisation using low‐profile three‐dimensional printed patient‐specific drill guides

AbstractThe study described the clinical and imaging findings, treatment and outcome for a British bulldog with cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis and thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis. Data on clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, surgical procedure, complications and outcome were evaluated. Multiple thoracic vertebral body and dorsal arch malformations were detected by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, resulting in spinal cord compression due to vertebral canal stenosis at T5–T6 and T9–T10, as well as kyphoscoliosis. Surgical vertebral stabilisation between T2 and T10 was performed by using a novel design of unilateral three‐dimensional printed patient‐specific drill guides, to preserve the dorsal spinous processes. Neurological signs had completely resolved 2 months after surgery. Follow‐up examination and computed tomography scan 15 months postoperatively revealed normal neurological status, implant stability and no progression of kyphoscoliosis. This novel design of unilateral three‐dimensional printed patient‐specific drill guides allowed dorsal thoracic vertebral stabilisation without resection of dorsal spinous processes and multiple‐level stabilisation.

Incidence and risk factors of heat-related illness in dogs from New South Wales, Australia (1997-2017).

Heat Related Illness (HRI) in dogs is expected to increase as heatwaves surge due to global warming. The most severe form of HRI, heat stroke, is potentially fatal in dogs. The current study investigated the incidence and risk factors for HRI in dogs in NSW, Australia, from 1997 to 2017. We identified 119 HRI cases during this period, with a fatality rate of 23%. Dog breeds at elevated risk of HRI were Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, British Bulldog, French Bulldog, Maremma Sheepdog, Italian Greyhound, Chow Chow, Airedale Terrier, Pug, Samoyed, English Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Border Collie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and pooled non-Australian National Kennel Council breeds (which included the American and Australian Bulldog) when compared with cross breeds (i.e., the reference variable). As expected, HRI cases were more likely in December and January, during the Australian summer and during hotter years (e.g., 2016). There were no differences in the risk of HRI between males and females nor between desexed or un-desexed dogs; but older dogs were at increased risk of HRI. These findings underscore the need for data collection that will enable the incidence of HRI in dogs to be monitored and to better understand canine risk factors particularly as temperatures will continue to rise due to global warming. The risk of mortality from HRI underpins the need for education programs focussed on prevention and early identification of HRI so that owners present affected dogs to their veterinarian as promptly as possible.

Solitary pedunculated multicystic viral plaque associated with canine papillomavirus 18 in a British Bulldog.

A pedunculated exophytic mass developed on the rump of a dog. Fine-needle aspiration revealed keratin debris suggestive of a follicular tumor. However, histology revealed a pigmented viral plaque that contained numerous keratin-filled cystic cavities. Canine papillomavirus 18 DNA sequences were detected in the lesion. Viral plaques are typically multiple sessile lesions of dogs. A viral plaque appearing as a solitary exophytic keratin-filled mass has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. The novel clinical findings in this case expand the ways that viral plaques may appear in dogs. In addition, the histologic findings represent a novel pathologic entity of dogs. Given that canine viral plaques can be progressive, and dogs typically develop numerous plaques, it is important to differentiate between a viral plaque and a hair follicle tumor.

The RVNs role in educating brachycephalic breeders and owners

Brachycephalic canines have grown in popularity, but many owners are unaware of pre-existing breed related health conditions. Brachycephalic breeds most encountered in practice include British Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs. The veterinary team are faced with challenges in the medical and surgical treatment of these patients. Therefore, there needs to be a collective effort to increase public awareness of the breeds predispositions and educate owners on safely improving the animal’s welfare. Methods to achieve awareness include nursing clinics, social media, veterinary websites and improved veterinary communication with the breeding community.

Myth or truth — are flat-faced dogs really less healthy?

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) confirms that flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds — including Chihuahuas, Pugs, French Bulldogs and British Bulldogs — are generally less healthy than their non-brachycephalic counterparts, answering the burning question about whether flat-faced dogs truly are less healthy overall.

Nursing implications of over-breeding brachycephalic canines, focusing on British and French Bulldogs

Background: Within the veterinary field there are currently limited data on the role of registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) in improving the health of brachycephalic canines. To tackle this the veterinary team must discourage further breeding of those with predisposed health conditions. This can be done through raising awareness. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the nursing implications of overbreeding French and British Bulldogs. RVNs completed an online questionnaire on brachycephalic canines and clinical occurrence in practice. Data collected were extracted from NoviSurvey and analysed using Excel and Minitab 15. Results: Out of 103 participants, 67 responses were valid. Results showed a high prevalence of brachycephalic canines in practice, with 79% of RVNs treating them at least once a day. Caesarean sections were common, with 43% of RVNs identifying genetic abnormalities in brachycephalic litters on a frequent basis. Social media was identified as a cause for the increase in ownership. Conclusion: The veterinary profession must now play a larger role in public education to assist in improving welfare in these breeds.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome: management of post‐operative respiratory complications in 248 dogs

As ownership of brachycephalic dog breeds rises, the surgical correction of components of brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) is increasingly recommended by veterinarians. This study's objective was to describe the incidence of, and strategies for the management of post-operative respiratory complications in brachycephalic dogs undergoing surgical correction of one or more components of BAS. Medical records of 248 brachycephalic dogs treated surgically for BAS were retrospectively reviewed for demographic information, procedures performed, post-operative complications and treatment implemented, hospitalisation time, and necessity for further surgery. Pugs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and British Bulldogs were the most commonly encountered breeds. Dogs which experienced a complication were significantly older (mean was 5.5 years, compared with 4.1 years [P < 0.01]). Fifty-eight dogs (23.4%) had complications which included: dyspnoea managed with supplemental oxygen alone (7.3%, n = 18), dyspnoea requiring anaesthesia and re-intubation (8.9%, n = 22), dyspnoea necessitating treatment with a temporary tracheostomy (8.9%, n = 22), aspiration pneumonia (4%, n = 10), and respiratory or cardiac arrest (2.4%, n = 6). Five of the 22 dogs requiring anaesthesia and re-intubation deteriorated 12 or more hours after post-surgical anaesthetic recovery. The overall mortality rate in this study was 2.4% (n = 6). Age, concurrent airway pathology, and emergency presentation significantly predicted post-operative complications. Our data show the importance of close monitoring for a minimum of 24 h following surgery by an experienced veterinarian or veterinary technician. Surgical intervention for BAS symptomatic dogs should be considered at an earlier age as an elective procedure, to reduce the risk of post-operative complications.

Juvenile-onset and adult-onset demodicosis in dogs in the UK: prevalence and breed associations.

ObjectivesTo explore epidemiological features of demodicosis relevant to UK veterinary general practitioners. Breed risk factors were proposed as distinct between juvenile‐onset and adult‐onset disease.Materials and MethodsThe study used anonymised clinical data on dogs under primary veterinary care at practices enrolled in the UK VetCompass Programme. Case inclusion required recording of a final demodicosis diagnosis for a dermatological condition that was present during the 2013 study period. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling.ResultsIn dogs aged <2 years (juvenile‐onset), the 1‐year period prevalence was 0.48% (95% confidence interval: 0.45 to 0.52). Compared with crossbred dogs, seven breeds showed increased odds of diagnosis with demodex: British bulldog, Staffordshire bull terrier, Chinese shar‐pei, dogue de Bordeaux, pug, French bulldog and boxer. Additionally, six breeds showed reduced odds of juvenile demodicosis: Lhasa apso, bichon frise, Labrador retriever, German shepherd dog, shih‐tzu and Chihuahua. In dogs aged >4 years (adult‐onset), the 1‐year period prevalence was 0.05% (95% confidence interval: 0.0.04 to 0.06). Six breeds showed increased odds of demodicosis compared with crossbred dogs: Chinese shar‐pei, shih‐tzu, West Highland white terrier, pug, boxer and Border terrier.Clinical SignificanceJuvenile‐onset demodicosis is much more common (about 10 times higher) than the adult‐onset form. Knowledge of the predisposed breeds for these two presentations can assist with diagnosis and support the concept of distinct aetiopathogenetic phenotypes.

What's new for veterinary nurses to know about British Bulldogs?

British Bulldog ownership has doubled but the breed faces high risk of skin disease and obesity, a new study has found. Dan O'Neill explains.

Dog sperm swimming parameters analysed by computer-assisted semen analysis of motility reveal major breed differences.

Dogs have undergone an intensive artificial selection process ever since the beginning of their relationship with humans. As a consequence, a wide variety of well-defined breeds exist today. Due to the enormous variation in dog phenotypes and the unlikely chance of gene exchange between them, the question arises as to whether they should still be regarded as a single species or, perhaps, they be considered as different taxa that possess different reproductive traits. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize some male reproductive traits, focusing on kinematic characteristics of dog spermatozoa from several breeds. Thirty-seven dogs from the following breeds were used: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, Valencian Rat Hunting Dog, British Bulldog and Chihuahua. Semen samples were obtained via manual stimulation and diluted to a final sperm concentration of 50million/ml, and they were subsequently analysed by the computer assisted semen analysis (CASA-Mot) ISAS® v1 system. Eight kinematic parameters were evaluated automatically. All parameters showed significant different values among breeds and among individuals within each breed. The fastest sperm cells were those of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and the slowest were recorded in Chihuahuas. The intra-male coefficient of variation (CV) was higher than the inter-male CV for all breeds with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier showing the lowest values. When taking into consideration the cells by animal and breed, discriminant analyses showed a high capability to predict the breed. Cluster analyses showed a hierarchical classification very close to that obtained after phylogenetic studies with genome markers. In conclusion, future workers on dog spermatozoa should bear in mind major differences between breeds and realize that results cannot be extrapolated from one to another. Because sperm characteristics are associated with breed diversity, dogs may represent a good model to examine changes in reproductive parameters associated with selection processes.

Perioperative care of the brachycephalic patient and surgical management of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

Over recent years many brachycephalic dog breeds have become more popular, i.e. French bulldogs, Pugs, Chihuahuas and British bulldogs. Due to the anatomical differences in these breeds compared with other normocephalic breeds presented in practice, more cases are requiring treatment for airway management. The most common airway issue connected to these breeds is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. This article discusses the presentation, surgery and perioperative nursing care for these patients.

Submucosal Collagen Injection for Management of Urinary Incontinence Following Urethral Stent Placement

An 8-year-old, entire, male British Bulldog was referred for a week-long history of severe stranguria and dysuria. A prostatic wash was diagnostic of prostatic carcinoma. A transluminal urethral stent was placed in the proximal urethra, which resulted in resolution of the urinary obstruction, however, the dog developed severe urinary incontinence after the procedure. Cystoscopically-guided submucosal collagen injections were performed immediately proximal to the os penis. The dog's incontinence resolved with a single collagen injection for the 10-month follow-up period.

FRII-09 CONSERVATIVE KIDNEY TRAUMA MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATIVE POLITICS: HOW SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL'S PHYSICIANS MAY HAVE SAVED THE WESTERN WORLD

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology: History Forum1 Apr 2017FRII-09 CONSERVATIVE KIDNEY TRAUMA MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATIVE POLITICS: HOW SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL'S PHYSICIANS MAY HAVE SAVED THE WESTERN WORLD Alan Carnes, Zach Klaassen, Michael Kemper, Arthur Smith, and Durwood Neal Alan CarnesAlan Carnes More articles by this author , Zach KlaassenZach Klaassen More articles by this author , Michael KemperMichael Kemper More articles by this author , Arthur SmithArthur Smith More articles by this author , and Durwood NealDurwood Neal More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.2458AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The exquisite leadership and unmatched resolve of Sir Winston Churchill during the Second World War are known well beyond the borders of Britain. The adversities he overcame in the 1930's and 1940's have been extensively explored. However, one lesser known misfortune he faced earlier in life had a profound impact upon Mr. Churchill. The details surrounding this urologic traumatic event are herein examined, specifically with respect to the management his physicians selected. These medical decisions early in Mr. Churchill's life were important for shaping the future of the Western World and the emergence of the ‘British Bulldog’. METHODS A review of the literature was performed with Google Scholar to assess secondary sources pertinent to the early life of Sir Winston Churchill. Specifically, to further examine the urologic traumatic event that took place during Churchill's late adolescence and how this clinical situation was managed. RESULTS In the early winter of 1892, an 18 year old Winston Churchill was on holiday at the estate of his aunt in Bournemouth, England. While accompanied by his younger brother and a young cousin, the boys took up a game of chasing the older Churchill. Churchill found himself in the middle of a bridge straddling a ravine with a boy on either side. In the spirit of the game, he climbed over the railing of the bridge and pondered, “to plunge or not to plunge, that was the question!” He chose to plunge, and the slender firs he hoped would break his 29-foot fall did little to mitigate the traumatic results. It was 3 days before he regained consciousness and several weeks before he could climb from bed. He was diagnosed with a 'kidney rupture' as well as a concussion and right shoulder injury. The Churchill's family physician, Dr. Robson Roose, as well as a London surgeon, Dr. John Rose, recommended 3 months of bed rest. Churchill's recovery was prolonged and he stated, “for a year I looked at life round a corner.” CONCLUSIONS Kidneys are the 3rd most common solid organ to be damaged following blunt trauma, and renal lacerations are a common result of rapid deceleration. These injuries need operative intervention in less than 10% of cases, but those numbers are bolstered by 21st century imaging. In late 19th century Britain, without the use of modern imaging technology, these physicians selected the appropriate conservative treatment modality. If young Winston Churchill would have met an early demise, the fight against Nazi Germany may have ultimately had a different outcome. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e1069-e1070 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Alan Carnes More articles by this author Zach Klaassen More articles by this author Michael Kemper More articles by this author Arthur Smith More articles by this author Durwood Neal More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Dog sperm head morphometry: its diversity and evolution.

Dogs have been under strong artificial selection as a consequence of their relationship with man. Differences between breeds are evident that could be reflected in seminal characteristics. The present study was to evaluate differences in sperm head morphometry between seven well-defined breeds of dog: the British Bulldog, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, Staffordshire Terrier, and Valencian Rat Hunting dog. Semen samples were obtained by masturbation and smears stained with Diff-Quik. Morphometric analysis (CASA-Morph) produced four size and four shape parameters. Length, Ellipticity, and Elongation showed higher differences between breeds. MANOVA revealed differences among all breeds. Considering the whole dataset, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC1 was related to head shape and PC2 to size. Procluster analysis showed the British Bulldog to be the most isolated breed, followed by the German Shepherd. The PCA breed by breed showed the Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Spanish Mastiff, and Staffordshire Terrier to have PC1 related to shape and PC2 to size, whereas the British Bulldog, Valencia Rat Hunting dog, and German Shepherd had PC1 related to size and PC2 to shape. The dendrogram for cluster groupings and the distance between them showed the British Bulldog to be separated from the rest of the breeds. Future work on dog semen must take into account the large differences in the breeds’ sperm characteristics. The results provide a base for future work on phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of dogs, based on their seminal characteristics.

The Nature of the Electron

Winston Churchill once said of Russia that it was a riddle wrapped in mystery inside an enigma. Were the British Bulldog a physicist, he might have been talking of something other than our Slavic comrades. He might have been talking about an electron.

Beauty Contest for British Bulldogs? Negotiating (Trans)national identities in Suburban Melbourne

Notwithstanding the absence of bulldogs, Britfest with its re-creation and representation of Britishness provides an entry point for investigating the complex meanings within the transitional narratives of migrancy, ethnicity and ‘belonging’ among British migrants in modern Australia. The identification and promotion of Britishness at this event reflects recent trends in the re-imagining of that Britishness, which has also become the focus of popular and scholarly debate. In much of this debate, events such as Britfest are seen as representative of a newly emergent sense of identity among British migrants—as an organic reawakening of community pride, nationhood and sense of (an often privileged) place in Australia.

Syncope associated with swallowing in two British Bulldogs with unilateral carotid body tumours

Carotid body tumours were diagnosed in two British Bulldogs that each had a history of syncopal episodes induced by eating, drinking or pulling on the leash. In both dogs, a cervical mass was identified using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging, with carotid body tumour (CBT) being the histopathological diagnosis. A heart base mass was also identified in one dog by both CT and echocardiography. Swallowing syncope has been reported in the human literature in association with cervical mass lesions, but this is the first report in dogs. The present cases emphasise the value of advanced imaging of the head and neck in dogs presenting with clinical signs of syncope associated with swallowing and the importance of careful manipulation of the neck in patients with CBTs.

In this issue – January/February 2013

In this issue – <scp>J</scp>anuary/<scp>F</scp>ebruary 2013