by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: January 03, 2010

The Bichon Frise is the very epitome of the term "lap dog". They are dogs that want to be with those that they love at all times. They even look the part of the pampered pet. Their white coats are gorgeous when properly groomed and they display a knowledge of their beauty as they prance through life. Looks alone, however, don't a dog make. A person that is going to get a new dog should always educate themselves about the breed beforehand. Having a pet is a serious commitment and one that should be made for the life of the pet, whenever possible. Some things that are very important to know are the health problems that the breed you are considering is prone to. The following are some of the most common health problems that Bichon Frises, and their owners, have to deal with.

*Allergies-This breed can suffer numerous allergies, both airborne and food, but almost all of them are particularly sensitive to fleas. Allergic reactions come out primarily in the skin, causing hot spots, rashes, and infection. Be sure to keep your Bichon Frise treated for flea and tick prevention at all times.

*Bladder Stones-This can often be avoided with proper diet and hydration. This breed needs to have plenty of distilled water and will thus need to urinate frequently. If your dog is not urinating, he or she should be taken in to their veterinarian immediately. The bladder can actually burst from urine back-up and this is life-threatening. It can occur quite suddenly and may take the life of your dog within 24 to 72 hours. Owners must be attentive to monitoring their dog's fluid intake and output due to the fact that the breed is prone to developing bladder stones.

*Patellar Luxation-In a dog with patellar luxation, the kneecap will slip in and out of socket, causing discomfort or pain. This may be present at birth or develop over time.

*Cataracts of the Eyes-Dogs with cataracts will be apparent because of the cloudy film that will cover the lens of the eye. There can be minor cataracts that won't affect the dog's vision entirely or they can get so severe that they will completely block any light from coming in at all.

*Hip Dysplasia-This is typically associated with larger breeds of dogs. This breed is susceptible to this problem with the joints, however. It occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, resulting in a great deal of pain and possibly limited movement for the dog. The cartilage around the joint becomes thin and loses its elasticity, causing inflammation, as the top of the femur bone rubs against the hip.

One of the jobs of a responsible pet owner of any breed or species is to ensure that the animal is kept in the best health possible. This includes regular vet checks and vaccinations, as well as watching for and attending to any signs of illness as soon as possible. The Bichon Frise deserves to have the most comfortable and happy life possible. He or she should be kept healthy and given plenty of love and attention. This will make for a very contented dog and a loving relationship between the two of you for many years. A healthy Bichon Frise can live well into his or her years.

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