Neapolitan Mastiff and Health
Our beloved breed, the "Mastino Napoletano" Neapolitan Mastiff much similar to all purebred's in the dog world, is not imune to the numerous diseases and the dangers of improper sanitary hygiene. It is an important point to make however, that the breed once proper nutrition and attention during it's development stages, can and generally is a incredibly sturdy, "low maintenance" healthy dog.
The day that we bring in the Neapolitan Mastiff in to our homes, it is much like accepting the responsibilities of caring for one of your own children. Similar to our children's health it is important to have as a norm a veterinary relationship from the day the first vaccinations are given, much like when we first establish our relationships with medical doctors with our own families.
Bringing your Mastino Napoletano puppy home:
Prepare your house for your puppy's arrival. Remember that the strength, size and chewing abilities of a puppy Mastini is much stronger than most breeds, and it is likely that a 2 to 6 month old puppy is much stronger than many other full grown adult dogs of other breeds. Designate a special place, preferably outside your home, for it to sleep, eat, and eliminate. You must keep in mind that our breed has for over 2000 years of history been bred to guard. Therefore, it has grown very comfortably to living outside the home. Make sure that it's living area is a secure, enclosed gated area where above all innocent visitors to your home will not be subjected to it's ferocious guarding instincts. It's sleeping quarters must protect it from the weather elements of excessive heat or cold. Obtain any necessary accessories such as collar, dog tags, leash etc. before you bring your puppy home. Although not recommended due to it's incredible power, drooling, and size. Keeping a Mastini inside your home is possible, and is the norm to many homes in America. If you are going to keep your Mastini inside the home, you will need to puppy-proof your house, much similar as you would baby-proof your house to avoid tragedies. Mastini, will chew on just about anything as puppy's, make sure to keep dangerous things i.e. cleaners, bleaches, poisons, electrical cords, breakable objects away and out of reach.
Sensitivity to Anesthetic:
The Neapolitan Mastiff is considered a high risk induction patient. Your veterinarian should follow high risk procedures when inducing a Neapolitan. Pre-anesthetic should be given lightly and only to effect - just enough “to get the tube down”. We recommend that all Neapolitans be on intravenous drip fluids during surgery and receive pre-anesthetic. Our veterinarian uses oxymorphone / valium LIGHTLY, Iso via mask to effect and maintenance during surgery. Another veterinarian we use prefers Propofol to effect and Iso during surgery. We have noticed that the Neapolitan’s anesthetized with oxymorhone/valium with Iso maintain better heart rate, are less depressed and recover faster.
Immunity & Skin, Demodectic Mange:
This condition in the Neapolitan Mastiff is usually a result of inadequate or poorly developed immune systems. Whether or not Demodex causes physical conditions on a dog depends on the dogs ability to keep the population of mites under control. It is important to note that proper hygiene and preventive dipping with Amitraz, or bathing with medicated shampoo that contains Benzoyl can keep this from being a problem. Ivomec has also been proven to be extremely effective once the dog shows signs of condition.
Eyes:
Cherry eye - Similar to the Mastiff, Beagle, Bloodhound, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Saint Bernard, and Shar-Pei, it is very common to see cherry eye (nictitans gland prolapse) on the Neapolitan Mastiff. The exact cause of cherry eye is not known, however weakness of the connective tissue around the eye is strongly suspected. Their has not been a study made but it would not be surprising if 10% to 20% of total Neapolitan Mastiff's produced have cherry eye. This condition is usually of no consequence other than a dent on the owners wallet. The removal of the gland is the most successful treatment, although this will limit lubrication to the cornea. Procedures have improved with "tacking" or tucking and stitching the gland into place. If you know a veterinarian good at this procedure, it might be worth a try for the dog which will benefit with proper lubrication and better eye sight as the dog gets older.
Entropion - This is a condition which the top eyelids turn/roll inward to the extent that rubbing occurs on the surface of the eyeball with hair. This condition is potentially very dangerous, and a Neapolitan can loose it's eye if the cornea is punctured or severally infected.
Ectropion - When the lower lids are loose, causing a drooping of the eyelid's margins, and making the lower lids turn outward. This condition is rarely a problem except in severe cases.