If you have a dog, you most likely have look up the web to understand more about them and ways to look after them, particularly if you own Bichon Frise Dogs. Most of the times, bichon frise owners search for information about bichon frise regarding health conditions or diseases that my develop in their dog.
Bichon Frises are prone to develop skin problems like itchy rashes and sores which could cause fur to fall out, leaving raw, bleeding bald patches. Veterinarians blame this vulnerability to dermatological diseases as being due to the double layered coat that is characteristic of the breed. While the inner coat is long and silky, the outer coat is curly, causing hair strands to get tangled or matted, forming a fine mesh. Dirt and bacteria tends to settle and gets collected in the skin that leads to irritations and infection unless the pet owner is diligent in combing and brushing their dog's fur everyday. Aside from that, a highly contagious skin disease called mange which can be caused by bits of fleas, mites and ticks may develop. These insects get trapped in the coat which causes the said skin condition.
Like other dogs, Bichons need to be vaccinated against deadly viral diseases, namely Parvovirus infection and Distemper. High fever, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, lethargy and vomiting are the symptoms of that rare contagious disease (Parvo) and sadly may lead to death.
Heart worm is another common health problem for bichons specially if located in a tropical country. The heart worm - scientific name Dirofilaria immitis - is a parasitic filarial worm that is transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes. Upon entry into the bloodstream, the worms lodge within the right heart of dogs. Difficulty in breathing, body weakness and loss of appetite are the common symptoms of heart worm which can also lead to death or in a conman in the very least. Sadly, once heart worm infects a bichon frise, there is no cure for it and the prognosis is very poor.
AIHA or Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia is one of the disease that all Bichon Frise owner should be aware and should watch out for as well as ITP or Immune-Mediated Thromboyctopenia and liver shunts. Anemia is the final destination once AIHA gets in, destroying the dog's red blood cells. Bichons with such a pair of conditions will present with anemia symptoms similar to darkish urine, skin pallor, soft or yellowish gum area, weakness (as a result of not enough power), appetite decline, looseness of the bowels and nausea, tachycardia (fast heart rate) and tachypnea (rapid respiration).
Lastly is the Liver Shunt, a congenital anomaly usually present in underweight or non-thriving Bichon Frise puppies. Some symptoms of this are seizures and can also come with voiding of dark urination, loss of appetite and thirstiness or lethargy.
All bichon frise owners are advise to grab a book about dog health since there are many disease that may afflict their dogs. Knowledge is power and by understanding the facts, they can help alleviate problems with any unfortunate sickness for their dogs.
