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Essential Health Screenings for Genetic Diseases in Bull Terriers: Tests and Procedures

HEREDITARY DISEASES AVAILABLE TESTING
Patellar Luxation Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation
Heart Disease One of the following:
Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam
Color Doppler Echocardiogram (Preferred)
Auscultation
Congenital Deafness B.A.E.R. Hearing Test, performed by a Veterinary
specialist. (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response)
Kidney Disease -
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Hereditary Nephritis		 PKD Ultrasound
UPC Normal: 0.5 Up/Uc Ratio (0.3 Preferred)
This test measures protein being spilled by
kidneys into the urine.
Lethal Acrodermatitis LAD Genetic Testing. Animals are orally swabbed
and the swabs are sent out to be tested
Other Health concerns without commonly
accepted screening protocols.

Addison’s Disease
Cushing’s Disease
Gall Bladder Disease
Atopic Dermatitis


No Current Genetic Test
No Current Genetic Test
No Current Genetic Test
No Current Genetic Test

Note:

The provided list of health screenings is not exhaustive, and there are additional ongoing health studies which may result in other appropriate tests for Bull Terriers.

Also, it must be said that one of the major concerns, that causes the death of Bull Terriers, is the ingestion of foreign objects. This is not limited to Bull Terriers but given their stoic nature, they can be much sicker than you or your Veterinarian realize. Don’t wait it out, assume the worst…they are intestinally blocked!


Patterns of Inheritance:

  • Dominant diseases require only one abnormal gene and can appear in successive generations.
  • Recessive diseases occur in homozygous individuals (with two abnormal genes) and can be carried by heterozygous dogs (one mutant and one normal gene).
  • Polygenic disorders involve the cumulative action of multiple genes, making inheritance patterns complex.
  • Chromosomal anomalies can also cause genetic diseases.

Citations:

  • De Risio L, Freeman J, Lewis T. Prevalence, heritability and genetic correlations of congenital sensorineural deafness and coat pigmentation phenotype in the English bull terrier. BMC Vet Res. 2016 Jul 22;12(1):146. doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0777-6. PMID: 27443656; PMCID: PMC4957289.

  • Strain, George. (2015). The Genetics of Deafness in Domestic Animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2. 1-20. 10.3389/fvets.2015.00029.

  • Deafness in Animals By George M. Strain , PhD, Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University Reviewed/Revised Jan 2020 | Modified Oct 2022

  • Hereditary Deafness in Dogs and Cats: Causes, Prevalence, and Current Research, Strain, George & Hereditaria, Sordera & Perros, En & Gatos,. (2023). Hereditary Deafness in Dogs and Cats.

  • Bauer A, Jagannathan V, Ho¨gler S, Richter B, McEwan NA, Thomas A, et al. (2018) MKLN1 splicing defect in dogs with lethal acrodermatitis. PLoS Genet 14(3): e1007264. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1007264

  • Kidney International, Vol. 47 (1995), pp. 758—765 Bull terrier hereditary nephritis: A model for autosomal dominant Alport syndrome JENNIFER C. Hooci, JUDY SAVIGE, ANNE HENDTLASS, MARY M. KLEPPEL, CLIVE R. HUXTABLE, and WAYNE F. ROBINSON

  • Inherited Kidney Diseases in Dogs and Cats, Tufts' Canine and Feline Breeding and Genetics Conference, 2005, George E. Lees, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

  • Addison’s Disease in Dogs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addisonsdiseaseindogs

  • Michigan State University Low dose DOCP Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvim.16195

  • Dechra European Zycortal Symposium: https://dechra.cld.bz/Zycortal-Symposium-Proceedings

  • Vincent AM, Okonkowski LK, Brudvig JM, et al. Low-dose desoxycorticosterone pivalate treatment of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Vet Intern Med. 2021;35(4): 1720–1728. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16195 1728 VINCENT ET AL. 19391676, 2021, 4, Downloaded from
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.16195, Wiley Online Library on [04/09/2023].

Links:

Addison’s Disease in Dogs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/addisonsdiseaseindogs

Overview

Get a complete introduction to hereditary disease risks, breeder goals, and core health priorities.

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Recommended Health Screenings

Review the key screening tests used for major Bull Terrier hereditary diseases.

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Patellar Luxation

Understand signs, grading, and treatment options for luxating patella in Bull Terriers.

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Heart Disease

Learn common congenital heart conditions, diagnosis methods, and long-term management basics.

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Congenital Deafness

See why BAER testing matters and how hereditary deafness is identified early.

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Kidney Disease

Explore PKD and hereditary nephritis, including recommended testing and monitoring.

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Lethal Acrodermatitis

Learn LAD symptoms, inheritance, and why DNA testing is vital for breeding decisions.

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Addison's Disease

Read practical guidance for diagnosis, early care, medications, and follow-up management.

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