Some Things You Should Know 
Based on Our Experience 
And Our Customers Experience
 

1.    Feed only adult formula kibble.  Never "puppy" kibble.  Even and especially those "designed" for a large breed puppies.  No!  NO! NO!

2.    What kind of kibble, should follow our guidelines; (meat based not corn, no soy, preserved with Vit E,  no more that 26% protein or 18% fat), but be sure to feed peak condition and meat.  We choose to cook our meat, you may choose raw, but either way,  be sure your puppy/dog/bitch receives real meat.

3.    There are many "health issue" that exist for fila puppies during their development.  Most go away without "help" from the vet.  Vets, we have found often exaggerate conditions to get an emotional and financial response from their clients.  Avoid the use of vets who make a big deal out of the following conditions:  We consider breed typical.

bulletUmbilical Hernias, Very common, close all on their own by approximately one year.   - Hernias 25 cents or less in size, should of course be watched, but do not represent a threat to the well being of your puppy.  Do Not Do Surgery.  After eating they always stick out more.
bulletMale puppies get "puppy acne" more often and worse, but females do get it too.  Very Common.   Feed only in stainless steel dishes (Even when acme not present).  Wash acne with pyoban shampoo (from vet).  In extreme cases, use cephabxin or cephabxin and predmisone (steroid) we recommend this only if your god has an important "date" (like a dog show) where the "complexion" should be clear.  It is thought "acne" is related to hormonal changes and dogs grow out of it - similar to children.
bulletEntropion and Ectropian - common in all molassers less than 12% ever require surgery; As my vet once told me "It takes longer to put the dog under anesthetic than it does to do the surgery. "  He charges $85.00 per eye.  I have heard quotations 9 times that amount.  So remember to keep your emotions under control.  Call Me!  I will put you in touch with my vet and then you can look for a new vet or enlighten your original vet armed with good information from an experienced professional.
bulletPuppy Vagintis in female puppies - a yellowish/greenish thick vaginal discharge.  Comes and goes in some females until their first heat.  Very Common.
bulletFemale puppies who leak urine while they sleep or on their way to the door (males do this too). Goes away after 1st heat.  Related to muscle control.  Also occurs sometimes after spaying.  Use diethylstilbestrol to fix the problem in spayed females.
bulletSome puppies experience intermittent limping, discomfort getting up and down, soreness after exercise/play.  This is due to rapid growth of a giant breed.  I am making an assumption here that you are following our feeding and supplementation instructions.  Exercise may help if the reason is uneven growth pattern i.e.. bones, ligaments, tendons are not growing in sync.  If the cause is other; then lack of exercise maybe the better choice.  Your vet can help determine the cause and treatment.
bulletIf your dog/bitch/puppy has evidenced no clearly defined limping in the back legs and suddenly begins limping - Do not assume HD - This has become the clecegue for rear leg limping actually what is most likely - your fila, has a soft tissue tear "a hyper extended cruciate ligament" "torn cruciate" or worse case scenario ruptured.  It has been my experience that due to the physical design of our breed (higher in the croup than the withers and moderate angulation to the stifle area)  This is the most common cause of rear leg unsoundness.   Next and Important - Do Not Do the surgery to correct this problem unless ruptured.  There are many good reasons for this recommendation.  Please call me and I will be happy to explain.  If you can not reach me then immediately crate, kennel, restrict activity, walk on leash only, not play with other dogs ( or your for that matter) healing is slow .... 3 to 6 months.  With surgery about 1 year or never and you have used your ONLY SPARE PART.  Mis-diagnosed cruciate ligament damage.
bulletBites:

           *Overbites we have seen 85% change to scissor bites at 14 months of age.
           *Under bite (like a bulldog) we have seen change to scissor.  Level bits are acceptable.

bulletCoat color:  All Fila puppies are born with guard hairs (black hair)  gradually they shed these hairs and typically have no evidenced by 1 year.  So, if your puppy still has some guard hair, do not be concerned.

4.

 Swollen lymph nodes are very common in fila puppies and young adults.  This condition seemingly has no relationship to poor health.  The swelling comes and goes thru out the Filas growth to adulthood.  This is true w/ or w/out the use of antibiotics.  Assuming there is not any change in activity, appetite, vomiting and no fever (which would mean the dog is ill and the lymph nodes are indicative )......it is a mystery why it occurs.  Unless your vet has seen a lot of Fila puppies they may tell you to have blood work ups done etc., but unless there is some other sign we do not ....we just observe and wait for  them to go down ...knowing that very likely the condition will reoccur.