Getting a puppy is so exciting, but choosing the right breed can be stressful. One of the most important things you have to consider is – are they prone to health conditions?
A vet has taken to TikTok to share the five dog breeds that rack up the highest vet bills, and it’s a good thing to keep in mind if you are considering getting a new dog.
Dog breeds with highest vet bills
Dr. Amir Anwary said that from experience, the five dog breeds with the highest vet bills are:
- French Bulldog
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd
- English Bulldog
- Cocker Spaniel
That doesn’t mean these breeds are guaranteed to get unwell, but some dogs are more prone to health conditions.
“Cocker Spaniels can be prone to certain health conditions, needing special diets and also allergies,” the vet said.
He added that German Shepherds are often “badly bred” and have hip issues, bad eyes and allergies.
Prone to certain health conditions
French Bulldog
Top of the list are French Bulldogs, which are more likely to develop a number of health conditions due to their brachycephalic nature, meaning they have a flat face.
They are prone to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), PetMD explains, which makes it difficult for them to breathe, and they often require surgery to open up the airways.
On top of that, they are prone to heatstroke, have sensitive skin, can get ear infections and often suffer with eye problems.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers often rack up high vet bills for Hip or Elbow Dysplasia, which is when the hip or elbow joints become loose, causing mobility problems.
They are also prone to obesity, which can cause many any other health problems, so require diligence over mealtimes.
Other common conditions include a Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) rupture and bone cancer called Osteosarcoma.
German Shepherd
Third on the list are German Shepherds, which can develop a neurological disorder called Degenerative Myelopathy which slowly causes paralysis of the back legs.
Similar to Rottweilers, they are also Hip or Elbow Dysplasia and some cancers including bone, lung and intestinal.
Another life-threatening condition they can develop is Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV) which is when the stomach enlarges with gas and then twists upon itself.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is another brachycephalic breed, so is subject to many of the same health conditions as French Bulldogs.
This includes Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), heatstroke, ear and eye infections and skin irritation due to the deep folds.
They can also get entropion, which is the inward rolling-in of the eyelids, hip dysplasia, and are prone to obesity.
Cocker Spaniel
Last on the list is the Cocker Spaniel, which is more susceptible to Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a group of degenerative diseases that affect the retina and eventually cause blindness.
They are prone to Hip Dysplasia too, and Familial Nephropathy, which is where the kidneys are unable to filter properly due to a genetic defect.
The breed can get a neurological disorder that causes weakness of the hind limbs called Adult-Onset Neuropathy too.
It’s always important to consider the possible health conditions when thinking about bringing a new dog into your home.
Dr. Amir Anwary is a veterinarian based in South Africa who shares his expertise on TikTok, where he has racked up more than 500,000 followers.
