The Tibetan Mastiff is believed to have originated in China in 1100 B.C. The Tibetan Mastiff is a large and powerful dog, and many of its health problems are related to its size. The Tibetan Mastiff was not known outside of China for many years, and was only recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 2004.
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Hip Dysplasia
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Hip dysplasia occurs when the head of the femur bone does not fit into the hip joint tightly and becomes dislocated, causing a lot of pain. Look for any change in the dog's gait. There can be two causes of hip dysplasia in Tibetan Mastiffs: genetics or rapid growth and weight gain. Watch the puppy and make sure it does not put on weight too fast, and use a feed that is specially formulated for large breeds. The vet has both medicinal and surgical options available.
Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy
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Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy is an inherited condition that affects Tibetan Mastiff puppies, usually by the age of six weeks. It affects the animal's nervous system, and the first symptoms include weakness and eventual paralysis in the hind legs. There is no cure, but breeders have been able to selectively breed the animals to reduce the occurrence of the condition.
Auto Immune Hypothyroidism
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Auto Immune Hypothyroidism is very common in all large breed dogs, not only in the Tibetan Mastiffs. Symptoms include decreased activity and playing, increased sleeping, weight gain, poor skin and coat condition such as flaking and scaling, and constant ear infections. Fortunately, it is one condition that is easily treated by the use of daily thyroid supplementation.
Osteochondrosis Dessicans
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Osteochondrosis Dessicans is a bone defect in which the cartilage lifts off the bone, becomes thickened and cracked, causes inflammation and pain, and in severe cases degeneration of the joint. This conditions strikes males more than females. Keep the puppy from gaining weight, but this is an inherited condition and the dog should not be bred.
Panosteitis
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Panosteitis is inflammation of the bones that strikes young dogs. The animal will become lame in one leg and then the inflammation will shift to a different leg. This is one condition that corrects itself over time, and only pain medication is needed.
Ear Infections
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Ear Infections can be serious and the dog should be taken to the vet if you see it shaking its head or scratching more than normal. Tibetan Mastiffs have floppy ears, which is what makes them more prone to ear infections. The vet needs to determine the cause, and will probably prescribe antibiotics and/or ear drops. Be careful, though, as some of these infections are contagious to other dogs.
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