Do American Staffordshire Terriers have a lot of health problems?

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Unlike in hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an American Staffordshire terrier, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.

• Patellar luxation: Also known as slipped kneecaps, patellar luxation is a common problem in many dog breeds. It occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place and can cause pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment.

• Cerebellar ataxia: Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological disease that affects a dog’s balance and coordination. The severity of symptoms ranges and can be as mild as a slightly odd gait or as severe as frequent falling and intense muscle tremors. Early detection and treatment are crucial for managing this condition, so it’s

• Demodectic mange: This skin condition is caused by the demodex mite. All dogs are born with this tiny bug living in their hair follicles, and they do not generally cause problems. However, some immunocompromised dogs develop mange from the mite. Mange shows up on the skin as patches of red, thick scales and hair loss in the affected area.

• Eye problems: Cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness.

• Others: Hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat; allergies; heart disease; and gastric dilatation-volvulus, a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend joint and screening tests for the dog.