$$$$ Expensive Dog Breeds $$$$

I added a poll to see what the favorite dog breed is, as a way to lead into the most expensive dog breeds.  This is from Trupanion a pet insurance company.  The numbers are based on claims submitted by their policyholders since August 12, 2000.  These are only numbers for pets that have insurance, what about the millions that don't???!!!! 


The number one most expensive dog breed is the:  English Bulldog

The total amount spent was ~1 BILLION DOLLARS!!!  The average claim amount was $370. 
This breed is prone to such things as cherry eye, brachycephalic syndrome(smushed face/nose causing a whole list of problems), hip dysplasia, etc.  I might add that, many I see also have a considerable amount of skin issues as well.  This breed just crams in alot of dog into a very compact package.  When that happens your just asking for health issues.







The number deux is the:  Bernese Mountain Dog
Total spent- $554,000 Million, $412 per claim

This breed is prone to cataracts, elbow dysplasia, stomach torsion, and mast cell tumors.
These are beautiful dogs but I don't really see too many of them in Texas.  It's probably a little too hot here in the summer.





The #3 is the:  Rottweiler

The total claim amount is: $532,000 Million, $567 per claim.

Trupanion lists breed problems as allergies, elbow dysplasia, stomach torsion, and hypothyroidism.  I feel that on Rotties my number one complaint is bone problems(knees, elbows and hips).  The next thing I think of when I see a Rottie is bone cancer, yet again a bone problem.








The number four is the:  Great Dane


The big one is the Dane

Total amount spent is $462,000 million, with an average claim of $385.

These are massive dogs so most of their problems are also bone problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.  They can also have heart conditions and stomach torsions.  When you have such a huge dog, it can come with huge problems as well.








The number 5 is the: French Bulldog(Frenchie)

Policyholders have spent $384,000 with the average claim of $355.

This breed has similar problems as the English Bulldog.  It has allergies, brachycephalic syndrome, hip problems, and small nose holes(stenotic nares).  To me this breed is just the little brother to the English bulldog, they have their share of medical issues but nothing compared to the English. 



-This post is just a FYI, I have no preference to any breed of dog.  This will probably get me yelled at by many people but I love a Heinz 57-mixed breed just the same as any purebred.  They all have their good things and their bad things.  These five breeds just tend to have a little more due to their conformation and size.-

Sorry for my Abscence

I wanted to start out with an apology for my lack of posting.  I recently decided to start a complete renovation of my bathroom.  This really sounded like a good idea when I started, but now that the room is missing pretty much all parts that make a bathroom a bathroom, such as a flushing toilet and running water, I am beginning to rethink the entire process....  Anyway with that being said it is coming along fairly well, with the help of my parents and their vast knowledge of all things drywall and hopefully my brother will come soon to help me to some fancy tiling.

I decided this week to repost a blog my brother sent me.  It is a hilarious story of a couple moving with their two dogs.  The simple dog is by far my favorite part!!
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/11/dogs-dont-understand-basic-concepts.html

Next week look forward to the most expensive dog breeds!!!

Lepto What??

Lepto or Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can occur in dogs, livestock, wildlife and humans.  It is spread via the urine into water sources where it can live.  I feel that pretty much any dog no matter its environment can be at risk.  We are moving into these animals habitats and they are in turn coming into our back yards and public parks in search of food and water sources.

Dogs get Lepto by drinking, swimming and or walking through contaminated water.  This can be any stagnant surface water (ex. where your house drains), moist soil and ponds or lakes.  The bacteria can enter through any mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth) or a simple cut in the skin.  Lepto is contagious to other dogs and even PEOPLE through an infected dog’s urine.  The Center for Disease Control estimated that ~200 people per year become infected with leptospirosis!!!

The signs of a lepto infection can be very, very nonspecific.  I have had dogs come in for something as simple as limping to dogs that are vomiting and not eating, that test positive for lepto.  Lepto can cause disease/failure of the kidneys and/or liver, depending on the strain.  There are four strains of Lepto that we have identified to cause problems in dogs.  There is a test for Lepto but it can take several days to get back from the lab.  We often do some screening blood work to look at the dogs organ function. We then use that and the history to make a presumptive diagnosis (big word for an educated guess).  These dogs are often treated with hospitalization, intravenous fluids AND antibiotics.  If this disease is caught early and treatment is started then the dogs usually do very well.      

The best way to protect you dog is vaccinate it against Lepto.  The vaccine contains those four common strains of the bacteria.  The vaccine is very safe and effective if given properly.  I always warn my clients that we must 'boost' this vaccine.  'Boost' just means we give the initial vaccine and then in 2-3 weeks we give another vaccine.  This vaccine is different than some of our other vaccines that help prevent Rabies and Parvo.  Rabies and Parvo are both viruses, Lepto is a bacteria.  This only matters because the 'booster' vaccine MUST be giving in that 2-3 week period.  If it is not, then we need to start again with the 2 vaccine series to get adequate protection.  After the 2 shot series this then becomes part of the dogs once a year vaccines. 

Let me briefly tell you how vaccines work:  The vaccine has little inactive parts of the actual disease (lepto) in it.  It is so small that is doesn't cause your dog to get sick with Lepto but it does cause the dogs body to start an immune response (it sends in the soldiers)!   The dog’s body easily takes care of the 'little' Lepto BUT now the body remembers lepto... Just like you remember that kid that stole your dessert as a child!  Sooo, the next time your dog gets exposed to Lepto (drinking pond water) its body says; "Heh dude, I remember you and can easily fight off the infection".  The immune system is amazing!!!

I have seen numerous cases of Lepto, in everything from a little Chihuahua to a gigantic Rottweiler.  They have lived everywhere from out in the country to an apartment.  I encourage every owner to vaccinate if there is even the slightest risk of exposure.  I doubly encourage those owners with little ones and teenagers with 'irregular hygiene' to prevent with vaccination.  Your veterinarian can advise you on current protocols and options.

Here are some links about Lepto:

THE CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g_pet.htm

Pfizer Animal Health:
http://www.factsonlepto.com/index.htm