Dog health

Mastiff health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Mastiff, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 36 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 13 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, bloat, degenerative myelopathy, allergies and itchy skin, cancer, Von Willebrand's disease and bladder stones. A typical vet bill for a giant dog runs $350 – $1,373.

Health problems linked to the Mastiff

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [3]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [4]
Elbow dysplasiaNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The bones of the elbow don't grow together quite right, which causes lameness in the front legs and early arthritis. [5]Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [6]
Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: breed club screening [9]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [8]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [6]
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Named by: breed club screening [9]The cells at the back of the eye slowly wear out, starting with night vision. It isn't painful, but it can lead to blindness. [10]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [11]
Heart diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]Breed clubs ask breeders to have hearts checked, often by a cardiologist, because some inherited heart problems run in the breed. [12]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [13]
HypothyroidismNamed by: breed club screening [9]The thyroid gland makes too little hormone, which can cause weight gain, low energy and skin problems. A daily pill usually controls it. [14]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [15]
Epilepsy (seizures)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Repeated seizures with no other cause found. Many dogs do well on daily medicine, but a long seizure is an emergency. [16]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [17]
Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [18]
Bloat (GDV)Named by: AKC breed page [1]The stomach fills with gas and can twist. It is a life-threatening emergency that usually needs surgery right away. [19]Stomach emergency (owner bills): $550–$1,750 [20]
Hospital and ICU, median invoice: $1,261 (typical $505–$4,177) [7]
Degenerative myelopathyNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]A slow, painless disease of the spinal cord that weakens the back legs in older dogs. There's no cure, but rehab can help. [21]Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [18]
Allergies and itchy skinNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Allergies to pollen, dust mites or food often show up as itchy skin, paw licking and ear infections. They are managed, not cured. [22]Allergy and skin treatment (owner bills): $275–$850 [23]
CancerNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Some breeds have higher rates of cancers such as lymphoma, bone cancer or hemangiosarcoma. Catching a new lump early gives the most options. [24]Cancer treatment (owner bills): $3,000–$10,000 total [25]
Biopsy (owner bills): $170–$400 [26]
Von Willebrand's disease (bleeding disorder)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Blood doesn't clot normally, so cuts and surgeries can bleed more than expected. Testing before surgery is important. [27]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [15]
Bladder stonesNamed by: breed club screening [9]Minerals in the urine form stones that irritate the bladder or block urine flow. A pet straining to pee with nothing coming out needs a vet right away. [28]Urinary blockage and bladder stones (owner bills): $850–$4,200 [29]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as seasonal allergies, eye anomalies, heart disease, cancer, eye and hip dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease, degenerative myelopathy, and epilepsy. Hygromas''harmless natural 'cushions' that protect the elbow joints when the Mastiff is lying on hard surfaces''are common. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Patella Evaluation, Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Exam, Cystinuria DNA Test, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Dominant Progressive Retinal Atrophy (dPRA) (Bullmastiff/Mastiff Type) DNA Test, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test, Canine Multifocal Retinopathy Type 1 (CMR) DNA Test. [1][9] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Mastiff, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [30] One health test costs $58 there. [31]

What to budget

For a giant dog like the Mastiff, a typical vet bill runs $350 – $1,373 (median $607). [32]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Mastiff at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,500. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 6–10 years and you get roughly $5,200–$14,800 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [32][33] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [34] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [35] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [36]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Mastiff?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, heart disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, bloat, degenerative myelopathy, allergies and itchy skin, cancer, Von Willebrand's disease and bladder stones. That doesn't mean every Mastiff will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Mastiff?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For giant dogs, a typical vet bill runs $350 – $1,373 (median $607).

Should I get pet insurance for a Mastiff?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Mastiff breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Patella Evaluation, Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Exam, Cystinuria DNA Test, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Dominant Progressive Retinal Atrophy (dPRA) (Bullmastiff/Mastiff Type) DNA Test, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test, Canine Multifocal Retinopathy Type 1 (CMR) DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Mastiff live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 6–10 years.

Mastiff breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsElbow dysplasia surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (36) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Mastiff breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. OFA – Elbow dysplasia
  6. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  7. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  8. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  9. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  10. VCA – Progressive retinal atrophy in dogs
  11. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  12. OFA – Cardiac disease
  13. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  14. VCA – Hypothyroidism in dogs
  15. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  16. VCA – Epilepsy in dogs
  17. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  18. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  19. VCA – Bloat (GDV) in dogs
  20. VetReceipt – Dog Vomiting & Stomach Emergency Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  21. VCA – Degenerative myelopathy in dogs
  22. VCA – Inhalant allergies (atopy) in dogs
  23. VetReceipt – Dog Allergy & Dermatology Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  24. VCA – Lymphoma in dogs
  25. VetReceipt – Dog Cancer Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  26. VetReceipt – Dog Biopsy Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  27. VCA – Von Willebrand's disease in dogs
  28. VCA – Bladder stones in dogs
  29. VetReceipt – Dog Urinary Blockage & Bladder Stone Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  30. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Mastiff DNA tests
  31. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  32. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  33. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  34. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  35. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  36. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)