A bite-sized breed with a happy-go-lucky attitude, Bichon frises have been treasured companion dogs for centuries. Although Bichons can suffer some serious health challenges, they’re generally healthy dogs.
Understanding your dog’s health and the common issues they’re prone to is the first step to ensuring they receive a high quality of life, the same as what they give you.
With this guide, you’ll know what to look out for and possibly prepare to deal with as a Bichon Frise owner.
No dog is without its health problems. Small dog breeds can often suffer from similar health challenges and genetic problems and have a greater chance of developing certain health conditions than other dog breeds.
The Bichon Frise breed is predisposed to both serious conditions like Cruciate Ligament Disease, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, and Cushing’s Disease, as well as more mild conditions.
Dental problems, bladder stones, cataracts, heart disease, and hormonal disorders are a few of the most common health conditions associated with Bichon Frise dogs.
Below, we’ve broken down the three most prominent health risks your Bichon might face and how to identify and treat them.
This occurs when a Bichon Frise’s kneecap (the patella) dislocates easily and frequently from its normal position in the femur (the thighbone). This can be caused by an injury, genetic malformation, or damage to the knee ligaments.
Ways to identify this include sudden limping or carrying of the fore or hind legs abnormally, refusal to walk or move, and an inability/hesitation to jump. No treatment is required for mild cases, but surgery is needed in some more severe cases.
Canine hip dysplasia is one of the most common Bichon Frise issues and can affect your Bichon Frise puppy from birth. This can be caused by a fast growth rate, improper weight, unbalanced nutrition, and certain types of exercise.
Signs include stiffness or limping, a decreased activity level, or a swaying gait. Treatment for this ranges from lifestyle modifications to surgery, like weight reduction, exercise decrease, and supplements.
Allergies are perhaps the most common health problem in a Bichon Frise. Symptoms that your Bichon may have allergies are wheezing, skin rashes and itching of the skin, sneezing, ear infections, and a runny nose.
The most common triggers for allergic reactions are fleas, dust, certain foods, pollen, and some chemical fumes. First, identify whether your Bichon has environmental, flea, or food allergies; from there, you’ll be able to determine which treatment is best.
Bichon Frises have a long list of genetic health issues they may suffer – so although they are small, their vet bills are certainly not.
Pet insurance will not only help lessen the overall costs of expensive veterinary bills, but it will also enable your Bichon Frise to live a normal life while reassuring you that, should anything happen, your furry friend is covered.
Enrol your Bichon at a young age. Most Bichons only develop certain health conditions later in their life; this way, you’ll be able to cover it before it can happen.
Decide on the right pet insurance company from the start. You want a pet insurer you can trust and who has a good amount of experience.
Pick a plan that’s right for you, your pet, and your budget. You wouldn’t want to be stuck with the wrong plan and then find out your Bichon’s illness isn’t covered.
The life expectancy for a Bichon Frise is 12-15 years. This long lifespan is all thanks to their small and compact body, outliving other dogs by a wide margin.
Although their average life is 12 years old, you can increase your Bichons’ chances of living a healthy, long life by understanding their health needs and their diet, exercise, and grooming requirements.
Although the idea of your Bichon getting any one of these health conditions can be scary, rest assured that there is always a way to identify and treat them.
To ensure you receive a healthy puppy, always ensure you procure your pup from a reputable breeder that’s screened all their Bichon Frise puppies for any pre-existing health issues.
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