Bulldog Birth Defects

Cleft Lip/Palate

This is an opening in the lip or the roof of the mouth that occurs due to failure of normal fusion processes during embryonic development. Cleft palate and cleft lip may result from either hereditary or environmental causes (such as the use of certain drugs during pregnancy).

Water puppy

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus/Bloat
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a very serious condition that occurs in susceptible bulldogs when the stomach becomes distended with air, and then while dilated, twists on itself. This interferes with the blood supply to the stomach and other digestive organs, and blocks the passage of food, leading to worse bloat. The distended stomach impedes the normal return of blood to the heart, causing drastically reduced cardiac output and a decrease in blood pressure. Blood/oxygen-deprived tissues start to die, releasing toxins into the blood stream which among other adverse effects, cause serious disturbances in heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias) – a common cause of death in these bulldogs.

Simple gastric dilatation does not produce volvulus (twisting) in an otherwise normal stomach. Bulldogs most susceptible to GDV are the large, deep-chested breeds, in whom the stomach appears to be more mobile within the abdomen. Other factors that increase the risk for GDV include overeating, rapid eating, single daily feeding, high water consumption, stress, and exercise after eating.

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