Common Diseases and Disorders
In general, the Mastiff is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:
Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain.
Ruptured cranial cruciate ligament is a problem that results from tearing of the cruciate ligament in the knee, causing lameness that may be severe .
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart condition that results in a large, thin-walled heart muscle.
Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.
Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.
Cherry eye is a prolapse of the third eyelid. Though not a serious injury and does not cause blindness, the prolapse can be irritating to the surface of the eye and cause persistent tearing or eye pain.
Ectropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes eversion of the eyelid margin. It most commonly affects the lower central eyelid.
Corneal dystrophy is a primary, inherited, bilateral (both sides), symmetrical condition of the cornea that is not accompanied by corneal inflammation or systemic disease.
Urolithiasis is a condition affecting the urinary tract resulting in the formation of bladder stones.
The mastiff is also prone to arthritis, obesity, elbow dysplasia and vaginal hyperplasia.
Life Span
The life span of the mastiff is approximately 8 to 10 years.
We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.
