Bichon Frises may be generally healthy but this does not mean that they do not have a number of health issues to deal with. The respiratory system and the digestive system are among the worst hit by a variety of issues.
When you are considering to purchase a Bichon Frise, do take into consideration the cost of these possible diseases. However, it is good to know that Bichon Frise are generally healthy dogs, unless you got it from unscrupulous breeders or from a rescue.
These common issues among Bichons include:
Respiratory diseases
Allergies
It is slightly ironic that one of the most hypoallergenic breeds suffers from several allergies of its own. Bichons have a number of respiratory allergies including reactions to dust, pollen, mites, fabric, and even chemical fumes. These will cause symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most prolific malignancies in Bichons. It is a disease of old age and is often fatal if it gets to metastasize.
Pneumonia
This also occurs mainly in older Bichons whose immunity is lower but may also occur at any age as a consequence of kennel cough in cases of overcrowding. It causes coughing and difficulties in breathing and should be handled by a vet as soon as these symptoms are identified.
Digestive Diseases
Parvovirus
This is a common viral infection of the gut. It affects Bichons a lot due to their little hobby of foraging for food in the garbage. The infection causes diarrhea and abdominal discomfort in addition to several other issues.
Food Intolerance
Digestive problems in these dogs could also be as a result of food intolerances. Some of the foods on this breed’s no-no list include caffeine and citrus oil. You should also avoid others in general lists of what you shouldn’t feed dogs including grapes, chocolate and undercooked chicken.