Breed Health Issues

While generally a very robust breed, it must be remembered that the Bracco Italiano is very new to the UK, introduced only some 20 years ago. 

As with any new breed, as time goes on, health problems will arise, but it is how we deal with these problems that will guarantee the future health of our wonderful breed. 

Listed below are the health issues we're currently aware of and how, by following good breeding practice we can help to eliminate hereditary disease from this spectacular dog.

Our Code of Ethics advises that any breeding dogs should be hip and elbow scored prior to being bred from.  Dogs should also hold a current clear eye certificate obtained within 12 months prior to breeding.  All reputable breeders are adhering to this advice, to ensure, where possible, all puppies born will be healthy and live long, active lives.

 

I have attached a link to The Canine Inherited Disorders Database which covers, in more detail, all the hereditary health problems discussed below. 

Canine Inherited Disorders Database

 

Bloat or Gastric Torsion

This is the greatest killer of the Bracco Italiano breed and, indeed, any of the large, deep chested breeds.  It's the subject of much research.  Despite this, it still manages to take away many dogs before their time and in a very horrible way.  A cross-section through a Bracco would show how deep the body cavity is.  There are muscles around the vertebrae that give strength to the back and allow it to be flexed and stretched when running.  The stomach hangs like a handbag with both straps broken within this deep body cavity.

There are other ways in which the stomach is held in place.  There's support provided by the junction with the esophagus or gullet, and support provided by the junction with the first part of the small intestine, the "broken straps of the handbag."  The only other support is a thin layer of partially opaque internal skin called the peritoneum.

It is no wonder that the stomach can move around easily.  Those breeds with the deepest chests are at the greatest risk of having their whole stomachs twist around - this is called gastric torsion!  This cuts off the blood supply and prevents the stomach's contents from leaving, and increases the amount of gas in the stomach.  Once these things have happened, surgery is vital.  If the blood supply has been cut off too long and a bit of the stomach wall dies, death of the dog is almost inevitable.

The horrendous pain of this condition is due to the stomach walls being stretched by the gas caught in the stomach, as well as the stomach walls desperately needing the blood that cannot get to it.  There is the pain of not being able to pass a much greater than normal amount of wind; added to this is pain equivalent to that of a heart attack, which is due to the heart's muscles being starved of blood.

We will be issuing various papers and theories relating to the causes of bloat.  Watch our News Section for updates.

How to detect and prevent Bloat in your Bracco


Hereditary Eye Disease

 

While this is not widespread in the breed, this is by far the most worrying health issue affecting the Bracco Italiano breed in the UK today.  We therefore believe it's imperative that all breeders have their dogs eye tested 12 months prior to breeding and only use dogs with no hereditary (or otherwise) eye disease to breed from.  A normal BVA eye test will highlight all but one of the eye conditions identified below.  A further test is required to diagnose glaucoma. 

 

There have been 2 confirmed diagnoses of primary glaucoma in the breed to date.  Both dogs are siblings.  While this may not seem a high number, in a breed which is numerically small, the percentage ratio it is enough to make alarm bells ring and for us to stress the importance of eye screening prior to breeding.  There have also been two reports of hereditary eye cataracts and incidences of dogs suffering from entropian and ectropian.  Because of the impact this may have on the future health of the Bracco Italiano in the UK, we list the significance of each disease in turn:

 

primary glaucoma

 

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in dogs.  This occurs when the pressure of fluid within the eye builds up due to lack of drainage.  It is incredibly painful for the dog concerned and, without treatment, the dog will inevitably become blind and may require to have its eyes removed to aleviate the pain.  This is something we, as breed enthusiasts, wouldn't wish on any dog!

 
Primary glaucoma is hereditary and it is strongly advised that affected stock and their close relatives should not be bred from (See Canine Inherited Disorders Database - eye disease!).  Unfortunately, the condition does not often become apparent until a dog's breeding age has been reached - age 3 or greater and the affected dog may have already whelped a litter!  If this does happen its therefore vital that any progeny are not bred from!

hereditary cataracts

A cataract is any loss of transparency or opacity in the lens of the eye.  A complete cataract affecting the whole of the eye will result in blindness.  Most cataracts are inherited, especially those occurring at a young age.

 

Scientific advice (Canine Genetics Database) states that where cataracts are identified, affected animals, their parents and littermates should not be used for breeding purposes.  If the dog has been used for breeding, it is also prudent that the progeny are never used for breeding purposes. 

 

Entropion

 

Entropion is the inward rolling of the eye (often the lower lid) which means that the eyelashes or hair surrounding the area, rubs on the eyeball and causes intense irritation.  If you can imagine what it's like when you have an eyelash in your eye, you will realise the pain a dog endures.  If left untreated, the condition may ultimately cause visual impairment.  This is a common hereditary/congenital condition in dogs.
 

Breeding for prominent facial features with prominent eyes and/or heavy facial folds has worsened the problem in many breeds. 

 

This problem is usually evident before a year of age.  Symptoms of entropian include increased tearing and squinting of the eye.  In addition your dog may be light sensitive and paw at his/her eye in an attempt to stop the irritation.  If a dog has surgical intervention to repair entropion it cannot be exhibited in the show ring, although it can still compete in working events.

 

It is good breeding practice not to breed from dogs affected by entropion.

 

Ectropion

 

This condition is a defect of confirmation in which there is a sagging (or rolling out!) of the eyelids.  This leads to abnormal exposure of the eye which often causes irritation.  Because of the abnormal exposure of the eye, dogs with this condition often develop allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis or a reduction in the production of tears, thereby making the eyeball dry and unable to clean itself.  Again, dogs who have had surgical intervention to correct ectropion cannot be exhibited in the show ring but may enter working events.

 

Like entropion, ectropion is a condition generally caused by breeders selecting stock with over prominent eyes or heavy facial skins from which to breed.  In order to rectify this problem breeders should attempt to breed only from dogs with a more normal head formation so as to select away from exaggerated facial features. 

 

Hip Displasia

 

The occurrence of hip displasia is very common in all breeds.  However, with hip displasia the mode of inheritance is fairly complex and it does not necessarily mean that by using a dog/bitch in your breeding programme that has a high hip score (current mean: 18 for the Bracco Italiano!), that you will end up with puppies with hip displasia.  Indeed, it is recognised that genes play a small role (25%) in relation to whether a dog will develop chronic hip displasia.  Other factors include exercise, environment and nutrition. 

 

Generally speaking, reputable breeders will use low scoring dogs in their breeding plans.  However, as the Bracco Italiano is such a rare breed in the UK and the gene pool is still small, one has to look at the "overall" picture before breeding, and that may mean that a dog with a relatively high hip score will be used in a breeding programme, because of what that particular dog can offer the breed as a whole.  There is no point only breeding from low scoring dogs, if the dogs in question are not good examples of the breed.  If in doubt please don't hesitate to contact us for advice.  

 

The following advice is often given to large breed puppy owners:

• Ensure your puppy is exercised carefully (and not over-exercised and allowed to run around like a loony!) during their first year, while their bones are developing. 
• Provide your puppy with a good, nutritious diet that will help to build strong, healthy bones and ligaments.  
• Ensure your house and garden are safe for a growing puppy by placing non-slip rugs on laminated or wood flooring and by restricting access to stairs etc.

One vet has commented that he has seen a huge increase in ligament injuries in dogs since laminate flooring had become a feature in so many homes.  All that sliding about is not good for an adult dog, let alone a growing puppy!!

 

Elbow Displasia

 

The UK Kennel Club advises only breeding from a dog/bitch with a maximum elbow score of 1, and that only to a dog with a 0 score!  The total elbow score in dogs is 3! 

 

We've had 2 confirmed cases of UAP in puppies but it would appear from information given by a European kennel that the incidences of elbow displasia may be on the increase.  This is particularly concerning for a working breed and it's therefore imperative that potential puppy owners require sight of health screening reports to confirm the parents are free from elbow displasia - as per the guidance above.

There are differing opinions as to the inheritability of this disease.  However, we know of affected dogs being bred from in Europe who have produced puppies with grade 3 elbow displasia.  

Kidney Disease

Sadly we have recently been informed of 2 dogs who have died from kidney failure in the UK.  Both dogs were young and in the prime of their lives - which is particularly tragic.  We would ask that anybody who's Bracco is suffering from kidney disease in the UK, to contact us so that we can keep up to date with developments in this area.

Allergies

Some Bracchi appear to be allergic to the world!!!  While allergies are not a killer, they can certainly make your dog miserable; all that scratching and infected wounds can be very painful.  

By definition, the Bracco is a loose skinned dog, and many dogs who have much looser skin appear to be affected by a kind of "sweat rash" which occurs in the dewlap, armpits, groin and anywhere it is moist enough for bacteria to grow.  We have found that initially bathing the area with a weak solution of hibiscrub, or a good anti-fungal shampoo, and rinsing well can help to alleviate the growth of fungus.  However, if the symptoms persist it is important to get professional advice from your vet.

The Bracchi has long "closed" ears which means that air cannot circulate effectively in the ear cavity.  Due to this, some dogs experience problems with bacterial growth and fungal infections in their ears.  Its imperative that you adopt a vigilant ear cleaning regime with your dog.  You can buy ear cleaning solutions from your vet that will help to keep fungal and bacterial infections at bay.  Never ever be harsh or use cotton buds deep into the ear canal.  This can cause untold damage.  If you feel that your dog is suffering from a deep-rooted ear infection then contact your vet immediately.  

In addition, some Bracchi appear to be sensitive to the environment at particular times of the year.  If this happens, your vet can carry out a range of tests to ascertain what is the exact cause.  Treating with anti-histamines and steroids can alleviate the symptoms but it is much better to find the root cause and treat the allergy at source.  Of course this can be very difficult but your vet will be able to advise you on the best treatment.

Finally, it should be noted that certain food types can cause allergies in some dogs.  We advocate natural feeding as this appears to help those dogs that are sensitive to commercial dog foods and keep them symptom-free.  Please contact us for diet sheets if you are interested in changing your dog to a natural diet.

These are the health conditions known to be affecting our breed at the moment but it should be remembered that, generally, this breed is healthy! If we all carry out the relevant health tests prior to breeding (and only breed from healthy animals), we will be doing our best to ensure that our beloved Bracco Italiano has a healthy, happy future in the UK for many years to come!!