|
All living things are predisposed to certain Health Issues, unfortunately this is part of our life cycle, for humans, plants and animals. Below is a list of Health Issues in Poodles. Some affect only one of the varieties and some plague the breed as a whole. All dogs, humans, plants, and animals have a list such as this there is no exception.
Through ethical breeding practices we can greatly reduce the risk of developing or carrying genetic health defects. New puppy owners can help to, by keeping in contact with the breeder with short notes once a year. Breeders like myself enjoy hearing about their pups, the good, and the bad. This information is the key to managing a healthy breeding program.
For more information on anything listed here, you are advised to speak to your local veterinarian.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy a disorder of the eye in which the light cells in the retina wither and die due to insufficient blood supply. the disease progresses Gradually, results in blindness and has no known cure. Its onset in the Poodle is between 5 to 6 years old. The presence of PRA can be detected by ophthalmascopic examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Corneal Dystrophy - Corneal dystrophies are diseases of the cornea that are bilateral, non-inflammatory and inherited.
Legg-Calve'-Perthes - a disorder in which non-inflammatory a vascular necrosis of the femoral neck and head result in one of both of a young dog's rear legs becoming lame. Irritability and pain are other primary symptoms. Some dogs recover and function without treatment, but in severe case surgical removal of the femur head is indicated.
Patella Sub-luxation - or slipped kneecap, a condition in which the patella slides in and out of the groove where it is normally held in place by ligaments. This causes hopping or favoring of the leg until the kneecap slips back into place. In some cases, in can be surgically corrected.
Hypothyroidism - a condition resulting from an inadequate production of thyroid hormone. Also treated with drug therapy, its symptoms include a coarse, brittle coat that falls out, thickening and discoloration of the skin, lethargy, obesity, mental slowness and irregular heart cycles.
Mitral Valve Disease - The heart consists of 4 chambers - 2 atria and 2 ventricles. The atrioventricular (AV) valves ensure that the blood flows from the atria to the ventricles when the heart beats. A defect in the mitral valve (the left atrioventricular valve) causes backflow of blood into the left atrium, or mitral regurgitation. Less commonly, a narrowing or stenosis of the valve can be identified. Because of the leaky valve, the heart is less efficient at pumping blood to the body.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) - A decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or the amount of hemoglobin, resulting in a decrease in the oxygen- carrying capacity of the blood.
Cushings Disease - This is a disease that occurs from the overproduction of cortisone by the adrenal glands.
Kennel Cough - Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of cases are not serious resolving on their own in 1 to 2 weeks . But because some dogs develop life- threatening complications, you should take precautions to prevent your Poodle from becoming infected with this highly contagious disease.
Parvo - Prior to 1977-78, Parvovirus did not exist in the dog. The virus is a close relative of feline Panleukopenia (feline distemper) and in fact, may have mutated from the cat and infected the dog in the late 1970`s.
Distemper - Canine distemper occurs wherever there are dogs. It is the greatest single disease threat to the world's dog population.
Leptospirosis - Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.
Rabies - An infectious disease. This link deals with infected bats and whether they can pass their infection to dogs.
Pyometra - Pyometra is an infection of the uterus or womb.
Lupus - This is a rare disease of the immune system. In this disease, the immune system forms antibodies against the nuclear component of its own cells.
Heat Stroke - Heat stroke occurs when the dog's ability to regulate its body temperature is lost. A dog regulates body temperature primarily through respiration.
|
