HEALTH CONDITIONS
Health conditions in animals are not so dis similar to those in humans and other mammals. As time goes by however more research is done on health issues in our animals.
I read up to date information which comes out on dog health. Plus I like to read the science behind health problems.
What I have discovered over the years is that we are all learning.
We are lucky that there are some DNA tests available for breeding dogs. I say "some", because it is a small percentage.
It is advisable for breeders to use the DNA testing on their breeding stock to help avoid inherited conditions.
But the problem breeders have is DNA testing costs money and it will add more costs to the price of a puppy.
As a potential puppy buyer you would be wise to support breeders who are prepared to help their breeding stock and not purchasing just the cheapest puppy you can find. Because this will help save you money and a lot of heart ache in the future.
Ask questions and find out what health tests the parents have had done. Because some breeders are charging big money and the parents are not even health tested. It' up to you to double check. This is because they see a price tag and believe it is just what you charge. They do not understand the reason the dog was X amount of pounds was because of the money spent on the breeding stock.
I am not a veterinarian, and I am not a health expert. But I read a lot, and I read science papers also devoted to health issues in dogs. I have also spoken to medical professionals and laboratory's in my time. Keen to learn as much as I can do. I have spoken to leading experts over the time of being a breeder with those who are happy to share their knowledge. I try my best to pass this onto my puppy owners, and also introduce testing into our breeding dogs. That is about as much as a breeder can do because we are not GOD. Helping dogs where we can.
You are always welcome to contact me and ask me questions. I cannot guarantee it will be an immediate response but you will get a reply as soon as I can do. Always remember your veterinary surgeon or specialist is the way forward.
We are lucky to live in an age of mobile phones. Remember to video any symptoms to show your vet or specialist as they can often give you better advice in diagnosis. Make a diary and record everything.
I read up to date information which comes out on dog health. Plus I like to read the science behind health problems.
What I have discovered over the years is that we are all learning.
We are lucky that there are some DNA tests available for breeding dogs. I say "some", because it is a small percentage.
It is advisable for breeders to use the DNA testing on their breeding stock to help avoid inherited conditions.
But the problem breeders have is DNA testing costs money and it will add more costs to the price of a puppy.
As a potential puppy buyer you would be wise to support breeders who are prepared to help their breeding stock and not purchasing just the cheapest puppy you can find. Because this will help save you money and a lot of heart ache in the future.
Ask questions and find out what health tests the parents have had done. Because some breeders are charging big money and the parents are not even health tested. It' up to you to double check. This is because they see a price tag and believe it is just what you charge. They do not understand the reason the dog was X amount of pounds was because of the money spent on the breeding stock.
I am not a veterinarian, and I am not a health expert. But I read a lot, and I read science papers also devoted to health issues in dogs. I have also spoken to medical professionals and laboratory's in my time. Keen to learn as much as I can do. I have spoken to leading experts over the time of being a breeder with those who are happy to share their knowledge. I try my best to pass this onto my puppy owners, and also introduce testing into our breeding dogs. That is about as much as a breeder can do because we are not GOD. Helping dogs where we can.
You are always welcome to contact me and ask me questions. I cannot guarantee it will be an immediate response but you will get a reply as soon as I can do. Always remember your veterinary surgeon or specialist is the way forward.
We are lucky to live in an age of mobile phones. Remember to video any symptoms to show your vet or specialist as they can often give you better advice in diagnosis. Make a diary and record everything.
I would like to quote a paragraph by Dr Malcolm B Willis
It is highly probable that everyone reading this post carries at least on lethal gene which could in your progeny, cause serious problems. The same is true of all your dogs.
I mention this because a cry is made that we must
"eradicate defects." If we carried it out to its logical conclusion, then we would end up eradicating every dog.
You may argue that many dogs never produce defects.
However, If we look at the term "defect" in a more extensive way - with regard to the finer points of construction and type, then the fact that shoulder angulation is not quite perfect or the head planes are not ideal - all reflect in part genetic
It is highly probable that everyone reading this post carries at least on lethal gene which could in your progeny, cause serious problems. The same is true of all your dogs.
I mention this because a cry is made that we must
"eradicate defects." If we carried it out to its logical conclusion, then we would end up eradicating every dog.
You may argue that many dogs never produce defects.
However, If we look at the term "defect" in a more extensive way - with regard to the finer points of construction and type, then the fact that shoulder angulation is not quite perfect or the head planes are not ideal - all reflect in part genetic
UNDERSTANDING DNA for pet owners and breeders:
Using 1 in 4! Guide by Lab. The = sign is what the puppies resulting would be from putting mum and dad together.
CLEAR X CLEAR = 100% CLEAR
CLEAR x CARRIER = 50% CLEAR 50% CARRIER
CLEAR X AFFECTED = 100% CARRIERS
CARRIER x CLEAR = 50% CLEAR 50% CARRIER
CARRIER x AFFECTED = 50% CARRIER 50% AFFECTED
AFFECTED x CLEAR = 100% CARRIERS
AFFECTED x CARRIER = 50% CARRIER 50% AFFECTED
AFFECTED X AFFECTED = 100% AFFECTED.
CARRIER X CARRIER = 25% CLEAR 25% AFFECTED 50% CARRIER
BREEDERS - NOTE Ideally you use Clear x Clear or Carrier x Clear. These are ideal knowing no offspring will be affected. Any dog which is a carrier can then be tested and mated to clear and so on. Carrying genes are okay so long as you avoid them breeding to clears. If we reduce all carriers from gene pools we will loose diversity and bring in other health issues. So use the tools wisely.
Breeding by avoidance - What does it mean? This is something a breeder does when something has appeared in their bloodline. They do not repeat the mating because theirs no DNA test available to know if the breed has inherited gene. So they do not repeat the same mating to avoid the problem again. For centuries before DNA testing avoidance was the only way you could avoid inherited conditions. You would not repeat a mating if it produced a health problem.
Using 1 in 4! Guide by Lab. The = sign is what the puppies resulting would be from putting mum and dad together.
CLEAR X CLEAR = 100% CLEAR
CLEAR x CARRIER = 50% CLEAR 50% CARRIER
CLEAR X AFFECTED = 100% CARRIERS
CARRIER x CLEAR = 50% CLEAR 50% CARRIER
CARRIER x AFFECTED = 50% CARRIER 50% AFFECTED
AFFECTED x CLEAR = 100% CARRIERS
AFFECTED x CARRIER = 50% CARRIER 50% AFFECTED
AFFECTED X AFFECTED = 100% AFFECTED.
CARRIER X CARRIER = 25% CLEAR 25% AFFECTED 50% CARRIER
BREEDERS - NOTE Ideally you use Clear x Clear or Carrier x Clear. These are ideal knowing no offspring will be affected. Any dog which is a carrier can then be tested and mated to clear and so on. Carrying genes are okay so long as you avoid them breeding to clears. If we reduce all carriers from gene pools we will loose diversity and bring in other health issues. So use the tools wisely.
Breeding by avoidance - What does it mean? This is something a breeder does when something has appeared in their bloodline. They do not repeat the mating because theirs no DNA test available to know if the breed has inherited gene. So they do not repeat the same mating to avoid the problem again. For centuries before DNA testing avoidance was the only way you could avoid inherited conditions. You would not repeat a mating if it produced a health problem.
IHA - This is under construction because it is only in the first talks of introduction. But this will affect not only pedigree dogs but also cross breeding. The Government wants changes to dog breeds with small short legs, loose skin, folds, flat faces, and merle gene. Sadly we are about to loose dog breeds as we know them. I will write about this as soon as it's gone through parliament. This will affect all future dog sales eventually.
Some information will change even days after writing any subject as new discoveries are made, new vet treatments become available. So a disclaimer that any information I post may not be held against my writing. As things change I will update when I hear about them.
EXCERSIED ENDUCED COLLAPSE - EIC
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Rocking, loose, uncoordinated gait followed by hind limb weakness. This can progress to all limbs.
- Dog may seem disorientated.
- Triggered by high intensity exercise such as running, high stress, hot conditions or high stress.
- Appearing to have difficulty breathing in some dogs.
- Stridor - noisy breathing.
- Causes - Recessive genetic mutation of the DNM1 gene.
- DNA test available - Yes for Hungarian Vizsla, Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla. Encouragement of breeders to DNA test breeding stock to use results as a tool for avoidance would be wise.
- DNA test to make sure it is what you think it is.
- Specialists
- Do not exercise in heat
- Make sure you do not over stimulate or excitement your dog.
- Cooling down after exercise or during exercise in summer.
- Severely effected dogs are treated with phenobarbital
- Some dogs which are not severe may be managed with not over exercising, not over heating and not over exciting.
CANINE PAROXYSMAL DYSKINESIA - CPD
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Unlike Epilepsy dogs do not loose consciousness and remain awake.
- Rocking on back limbs, back and forth.
- Dog seems disorientated, and after a few minutes dog goes back to normal.
- Dogs may seem confused until after its finished.
- Triggers: Exact cause is unknown (idiopathic). But it's believed to stem from the basal nuclei of the brain and disfunction. Excitement, exercise. Gluten insensitivity.
- Management - REMOVE ALL GLUTEN from diet. ( This also affects people with coeliac disease and they call it ataxia of the brain. I have coeliac disease so aware of this).
- Diagnosis - based on video recordings of episodes and reviewed by neurologist. Blood tests and MRI scans are often used in out ruling other neurological conditions.
- Most dogs live long term with no shortage of life. You may learn the triggers and manage the dog.
- After reading vaccine damage it would appear lots of dogs have this after toxins of flea/wormers/vaccines, so do make notes and try to avoid all those if you can. But this is not yet proven, but their does seem links from reading peoples posts online.
EPILEPSY
I think nearly every person has heard of the word Epilepsy. This is not only a horrible thing that affects humans, but dogs and cats and farm animals. There are varying degrees and causes. We can not out rule toxins causing neurological damage.
Symptoms:
Where toxins are cause: Read the medical sheet on flea and wormer to see if neurological damage is mentioned. Do not give poisons to kill parasites if your dog has been diagnosed with Epilepsy and seek the help of a Holistic vet team. Also it has been noted that the preservative in Kibble food (Rosemary extract) has caused Epilepsy in some dog breeds. This is why a holistic vet team is just as important as your usual vet. Because together you may manage your dogs health better.
For example I know someone whose dog was diagnosed with Epilepsy, and she stopped giving Leptospirosis 4 vaccine and her dog never fitted again. You do need a holistic vet.
Breeds with flatter faces are known to have higher incidence rates of Epilepsy than longer nosed breeds. Or dogs with scull shapes which restrict brain size.
NOTE: Their is no health test to say the parents are at fault for producing Epilepsy yet. There is no Science to back this up yet. Notice the word YET! Because science moves on. This could change in months. But when I learn about things I will update.
There has been a scientific study done on Epilepsy and the conclusion was Hunting breeds with a hard eye, were more likely to have Epilepsy than breeds of dog which did not have hard eye. LINK:
Hard eye breeds: Collies, Vizsla to name but two.
I think nearly every person has heard of the word Epilepsy. This is not only a horrible thing that affects humans, but dogs and cats and farm animals. There are varying degrees and causes. We can not out rule toxins causing neurological damage.
Symptoms:
- Twitching, to full blown body convulsions and tremors.
- Collapse, falling over, stiffening of body and legs.
- Uncontrolled Paddling of limbs.
- Loss of consciousness, appearing dazed.
- Drooling, foaming of mouth. Chewing motions.
- Urination, or Defecation.
- Whining, howling, barking.
- MRI Scans
- Life long Medications
- Regular Blood testing.
Where toxins are cause: Read the medical sheet on flea and wormer to see if neurological damage is mentioned. Do not give poisons to kill parasites if your dog has been diagnosed with Epilepsy and seek the help of a Holistic vet team. Also it has been noted that the preservative in Kibble food (Rosemary extract) has caused Epilepsy in some dog breeds. This is why a holistic vet team is just as important as your usual vet. Because together you may manage your dogs health better.
For example I know someone whose dog was diagnosed with Epilepsy, and she stopped giving Leptospirosis 4 vaccine and her dog never fitted again. You do need a holistic vet.
Breeds with flatter faces are known to have higher incidence rates of Epilepsy than longer nosed breeds. Or dogs with scull shapes which restrict brain size.
NOTE: Their is no health test to say the parents are at fault for producing Epilepsy yet. There is no Science to back this up yet. Notice the word YET! Because science moves on. This could change in months. But when I learn about things I will update.
There has been a scientific study done on Epilepsy and the conclusion was Hunting breeds with a hard eye, were more likely to have Epilepsy than breeds of dog which did not have hard eye. LINK:
Hard eye breeds: Collies, Vizsla to name but two.
HIP DYSPLASIA - HD
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Bunny hopping
- Mild Lameness to Severe
- Aggression due to pain.
- Does not like being touched.
- Stiffness
- Pain
- Swaying Gait
MANAGEMENT
- Xray
- Scan
- Pain Relief
- Operations
- Or Hydro Therapy management.
- Supplements to help. Glucosamine, Krill oil, Green Lipped Muscle, Yumove
- Light therapy
CAUSES
Genetic, Injury, Over exercise, Poor Diet,
This is classified as Polygenic which means 100 genes come together to create HD. This in itself makes it very hard for breeders because it can be generations of good results.
Breeders have hips scored by vet scoring/bva scoring. It is an X-ray of the hips, and the vet gives a number. Hips can be as low as 0:0 to 53:53. Each breed has an average score. Which means over all the dogs scored, so thousands they take the average score.
Genetic, Injury, Over exercise, Poor Diet,
This is classified as Polygenic which means 100 genes come together to create HD. This in itself makes it very hard for breeders because it can be generations of good results.
Breeders have hips scored by vet scoring/bva scoring. It is an X-ray of the hips, and the vet gives a number. Hips can be as low as 0:0 to 53:53. Each breed has an average score. Which means over all the dogs scored, so thousands they take the average score.
ELBOW DYSPLASIA - ED
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Bone sheered off.
- Muscle wastage
- Swelling
- Lameness intermittently
- Lameness all the time.
- stiffness
- Reduced activity. Laying down a lot.
- Cannot get comfortable when laying.
- When they run their elbows make circular motion.
- Pain
- Groaning, moaning.
- Commonly noticed around 5 months to 18 months.
MANAGEMENT
- Pain Relief
- Supplements
- Hydrotherapy
- Swimming with specialist.
- Galen Therapy
- Operations
CAUSES
- Genetic
- Injury
- Abnormal bone growth
- OCD defective cartiledge
- Trauma/Over Exercise
- Obesity
- Jumping off surfaces when young.
- Repetitive impact.
DNA TESTS - Nome available because it's difficult as over 100 genes come together making it hard for science to come up with the DNA Markers. With nothing on the horizon. The only thing breeders can do is X-ray the parents and make sure breeding stock is not affected. This is done by Elbow Scoring.
CUSHINGS DISEASE
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Increased urination
- Increased drinking
- Increased eating
- Pot Belly
- Muscle Weakness
- Panting
- Thin fragile hair, hair loss, rats tail
- Medication to manage it.
- Body produces too much Cortisol
- Benign Tumor
- Over use of Steroids given by vets for other health problems.
ALLERGIES
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Itchy skin
- Yeasty skin
- Smells like Biscuits
- Hives
- Hair loss
- Coughing or sneezing
- Swollen ears
- Red yeasty ears
- Sores on paws, in-between digits and sores on hocks.
- Remove allergens from diet
- Remove allergens from environment
- Regular bathing to avoid build up on allergens on skin.
- Foot baths
- Epsom salt bath for feet, spa tablets for moisturise
- Natural Antihistamine,
- Wash bedding in natural wash products but on high temperament to remove mites.
- Dog housed in clean, natural environment.
- Uses of Apple cider vinegar with mother washes. Sea weed washes.
- Gut health - fix dogs gut health. Nearly all allergies are born from poor gut health.
- Foods with less histamines in.
- DIET - If raw feeding avoid foods which cause allergies. Beef, Soya, Whey, Brewers yeast, Chicken, Turkey.
- Kibble feeders - Their is a food called OMNI PET I highly recommend for dogs with allergies. Or Purina Pro Plan hydrolysed dog food. This is protein cooked in a certain way which removes the allergenic part of proteins.
- Dragon Labs do an allergy test blood test which should be accurate. Have this done and then remove the items which dog is allergic too.
- Apoquel - Last resort help. Also Cytopoint injections. These suppress immune system but there are many side effects. PLEASE READ SIDE EFFECTS BEFORE GIVING.
- Environmental contact
- Food intolerances
- Insect bites
- Plant contact with stings.
- Contact allergens ie coming into contact with toxins in carpets, cleaning products and so on.
- Contact with toxins from farmland chemicals.
- Holistic vets have said in vaccine solvents is chicken DNA which can cause allergies to Chicken.
- Poor gut Biome.
MAST CELL TUMOURS
Symptoms:
For years no-one knew why they appeared. Lots of vets gave wrongful advice. Some vets told owners to tell breeders it was breeders faults. I am so pleased to announce however the science behind this now tells us that it is in fact:
Symptoms:
- Small to large sized lumps on dogs body.
- Broken sore lumps.
- Cluster lumps inside body you can not see with the eye.
- Histamine release can cause gut issues
- Weight loss or lethargy.
- Vets diagnosis.
- Biopsy of lump or total removal then tested.
- Use of Turkey tail mushroom can reduce or get rid of MCT.
- CBD oil can reduce or get rid of MCT.
- Benedril antihistamine to reduce histamines.
For years no-one knew why they appeared. Lots of vets gave wrongful advice. Some vets told owners to tell breeders it was breeders faults. I am so pleased to announce however the science behind this now tells us that it is in fact:
- Removal of testicles (Males)
- Removal of Uterus and Ovaries (Females)
- Advice is to not neuter too early or at all.
- Look at HRT for dogs if you wish to neuter your pet.
- Chemical exposures and environmental factors.
- Toxins.
- Mutation of cells
- Some dog breeds are high risk towards MCT than others. But all dogs can get them. Weimaraner's, Boxers in particular are the highest risk dogs to get these from the age of 5 years. So there must be some genetic trait going on also. Maybe they can not cope with the lack of hormone.
SARCOMA SPLEEN - Hemangitsarcoma
Symptoms:
Symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Not eating.
- Pale gums
- Collapse
- Panting or Laboured Breathing.
- Bruising skin
MANAGEMENT
- Sadly not a good outcome.
- Vets can remove tumour but its rarely gives longer life. As owners you have to outweigh the costs against over having just a few weeks more.
CAUSES
- Removal hormone with Spaying or neutering.
- Environmental ie chemical exposures
- Chronic inflammation
- Some breeds more predisposed than others. Ie Hungarian Vizsla very predisposed.
DNA TESTING? No sadly nothing for this yet. So breeding stock can not be tested. But because a breed is predisposed it means the whole breed. If you want to avoid this from the age of five your best not neutering at all.
BLOAT & GASTRIC TORSION
Symptoms
There is NO MANAGEMENT - Mother of all emergencies and you must seek veterinary attention immediately. You can give your dog a buscopan and head to vets. I always keep it in my medical box on holiday or at home.
CAUSES
Symptoms
- Haunched
- Hiding
- Bloated behind ribs
- Collapse
- Non productive sick.
- Pain
- Can die very quickly. This is always considered mother of all emergencies.
There is NO MANAGEMENT - Mother of all emergencies and you must seek veterinary attention immediately. You can give your dog a buscopan and head to vets. I always keep it in my medical box on holiday or at home.
CAUSES
- Dried kibble food causing fermentation in gut.
- Stress
- Cancer
- Over exercise on a full stomach.
- Deep chested breeds like Bracco Italiano, Weimaraner, Great Dane are more likely to get Bloat. Because they have longer bodies which makes more space for stomachs to gas and twist.
- Their could be some genes at play but its never really come to conclusion.
Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy
This is not the only breed of dog that has VIP. Many other breeds also but called Inflammatory Polymyopathy.
Symptoms
This is not the only breed of dog that has VIP. Many other breeds also but called Inflammatory Polymyopathy.
Symptoms
- Excessive Drooling
- Excessive Foaming at mouth
- Wretching
- Gagging
- Messy eating
- Regurgitation
- At Vet referral level.
- Immuno suppressant drugs.
- Vets will out rule other similar health problems with similar symptoms.
- Studies suggest inherited component.
- Hormonal triggers
- Stress
- Vaccination
- Environmental triggers.
SADLY - NO DNA TESTING available for VIP - Although ive been in Vizsla now for 20 years and their has always been lots of talk and collection of dna, nothing has ever got further forward in the 20 years Ive been in this breed. Which seems such a terrible shame. You have to remember that all Vizsla go back in history to the same dogs, so if inherited, the whole breed could potentially produce it at some point with just bad luck of putting dogs together which triggers genes.
The day a DNA test is available for this I am sure every responsible breeder will do it before breeding. But as far as I know there is nothing on the horizon in any help. I think it very unwise to point fingers at anyone for producing this as it's going to appear in all pedigree at some point. That is the sad truth and logical truth to breeding dogs. Everyone does try their best.
The day a DNA test is available for this I am sure every responsible breeder will do it before breeding. But as far as I know there is nothing on the horizon in any help. I think it very unwise to point fingers at anyone for producing this as it's going to appear in all pedigree at some point. That is the sad truth and logical truth to breeding dogs. Everyone does try their best.
DEGENERATIVE MYOPATHY
This can affect all breeds of dogs.
This can affect all breeds of dogs.
- SYMPTOMS
- Hind limb weakness and wobbliness
- Knuckling or scraping back feet against the floor
- Difficult getting up and standing
- Incontinence
- Muscle wasting
- Paralysis
- MANAGEMENT
- Physical therapy
- Mobility aids
- Paw protection boots
- Prevent obesity
- Veterinary diagnosis, referral possibly.
CAUSES
- Inherited COD1 gene
- Breed predisposition
DNA TEST - Yes available for all breeds including Vizsla, French bulldog.
CEREBELLA ATAXIA
Effects Hungarian Vizsla, and some other breeds. Although considered rare it is seen in Vizlsa.
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
Effects Hungarian Vizsla, and some other breeds. Although considered rare it is seen in Vizlsa.
SYMPTOMS
- Can present as young as 3-4 months.
- Lack of co ordination
- Tremors
- Goose stepping
- Falling
- Their is no cure
- Aids in the house like mats of flooring helps.
- Hand feeding
CAUSES
- Inherited
- Gene at fault SNX14
VIZSLA HYPERURICOSURIA - HUU
Although Vizsla and Wire haired Vizsla suffer with HUU, other breeds of dogs also can have it. Weimaraner being one.
SYMPTOMS
Although Vizsla and Wire haired Vizsla suffer with HUU, other breeds of dogs also can have it. Weimaraner being one.
SYMPTOMS
- Straining to pee
- Blood in urine
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Blockage or Urethra with stones, grit.
- Low Purine diet
- Vet management
- Although there is not a lot else that vets can do. It is also not curable.
- Inherited
- SLC2A9 gene
DWARFISM
Dwarfism does affect breeds of dogs. I actually met a Vizsla with Dwarfism once. To describe her legs were short, normal body size, and narrow scull shape.
SYMPTOMS
Dwarfism does affect breeds of dogs. I actually met a Vizsla with Dwarfism once. To describe her legs were short, normal body size, and narrow scull shape.
SYMPTOMS
- Shortened legs
- Bowed legs
- Enlarged joints
- Gait abnormalities
- Hip Deformities
- No cure
- Weight management
- Supplements for joints
- Pain relief from vets if joints painful
- Vet management
- PCYT1A gene
Exfoliative Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus - ECLE
SYMPTOMS
MANAGEMENT
SYMPTOMS
- Scaling of skin
- Reddening of skin
- Alopecia
- Ulcers on skin
- Decreased quality of life and many are euthanised.
- Lameness and joint pain.
- Low sperm count to absence of sperm.
MANAGEMENT
- Vet management / Referral managament
- Immune suppressants.
- Nutrition
- Auto immune response
- Inherited
- UNC93B1 Gene
LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS IN DOGS - LP
SYMPTOMS
DNA TESTS ?
Not in Hungarian Vizsla.
But in Black Russian terrier, Leonberger, Rottweiler, a gene has been identified. Let's hope that DNA tests become available soon for the breeds we own. Until then breeding by avoidance is the only responsible thing to do.
SYMPTOMS
- Noisy rasping voice
- Heat Intollerance
- Voice change
- Collapse
- Old age related
- Veterinary management / referral
- Operation on throat.
- Not exercising in heat.
- Injury related ie collar and lead yank, choke chains.
- Age related - Old dogs which have signs they believe its the break down of tissue over age. Humans also can have the same thing.
- Genetic.
- It is thought now if some old dogs show this, that they may well of carried this for years un detected.
- In some breeds it's been proven to be genetic but not in all breeds. There are other factors which can play a role. There is a close link with Exercise Induced Collapse for some dogs. So although the end result is LA it may well of started as something different or closely related to something else.
DNA TESTS ?
Not in Hungarian Vizsla.
But in Black Russian terrier, Leonberger, Rottweiler, a gene has been identified. Let's hope that DNA tests become available soon for the breeds we own. Until then breeding by avoidance is the only responsible thing to do.
SEBACEOUS ADENITIS
Seen in Vizsla and other breeds of dogs.
SYMPTOMS
Seen in Vizsla and other breeds of dogs.
SYMPTOMS
- Hair loss
- Coat Change
- Rancid odour
- Bacterial infections common
- Silverly white dandruff
- Inflammatory disease against the sebaceous glands.
- Biopsy vets / referrals
- Oil soaks
- Shampoo
- Drugs
- Infections - Skin antibiotics
- Hereditary gene responsible.
- No research into finding gene responsible.
- lipid metabolism defect
- Environmental triggers
- G.A Triggers - drug triggers
PANOSTEITIS
Seen in larger breed dogs like Bracco Italiano.
SYMPTOMS
Seen in larger breed dogs like Bracco Italiano.
SYMPTOMS
- Severe pain in legs
- Reluctance to move
- Fever
- Pain may come and go
- Lameness may come and go.
- NSAIDS
- Restrict activity. May be asked to Crate rest your dog for a month, then again another month. Only letting out for toilet breaks.
- Diet adjustments
- Not over exercising.
- Hydro therapy.
- Rapid growth in puppies.
- High Calorie or High protein diets
- Imbalanced calcium and phosphorus diets.
- Genetic predisposition.
DILATED CARDIO MYOPATHY
Heart disease which effects many breeds of dogs.
SYMPTOMS
From reading a science paper on this condition 70% of all Doberman breeding will get DCM. Other breeds its noted in are Weimaraner, German short haired pointers.
Heart disease which effects many breeds of dogs.
SYMPTOMS
- Decreased activity
- Fainting spells
- Coughing
- Rapid breathing.
- Diet
- Taurine supplementation
- Veterinary treatment / referral
- Heart medication
- Regular scans
- GRAIN Free diets that exclude taurine.
- Chronic Under active thyroid gland can cause it.
- Viral infections can leave the dog with DCM.
- Taurine deficiency through diet or natural deficiency
- May be Idiopathic which means they do not know what causes it. Because for some dogs it's not genetic.
- Maybe genetic as some breeds are likely to get it like Dobermans, American cocker spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Great Danes, Irish wolf hounds, St Bernards.
From reading a science paper on this condition 70% of all Doberman breeding will get DCM. Other breeds its noted in are Weimaraner, German short haired pointers.
ENTROPION - EYES
Entropion is an eye condition that affects dog breeds. But in the Bracco you see something called Junior Entropion because it comes and goes as the head changes shape. Their heads change shape more than other breeds. Then it vanishes with out medical intervention. Most vets know you leave puppies alone until they have reached adulthood. Unless the eye lashes are rubbing on eye ball causing eye ulcers.
ADULT ENTROPION
SYMPTOMS
This is seen in Labradors, Cocker spaniels, Weimaraner's, Bracco Italiano.
Entropion is an eye condition that affects dog breeds. But in the Bracco you see something called Junior Entropion because it comes and goes as the head changes shape. Their heads change shape more than other breeds. Then it vanishes with out medical intervention. Most vets know you leave puppies alone until they have reached adulthood. Unless the eye lashes are rubbing on eye ball causing eye ulcers.
ADULT ENTROPION
SYMPTOMS
- Streaming tears down the face
- Redness in eyes
- Eye ulcers
- Allergies
- Dogs with more facial skin can suffer.
- Vets will first treat with eye drops to make sure it's not a bacterial infection.
- Surgical correction
- Injury
- Inherited
This is seen in Labradors, Cocker spaniels, Weimaraner's, Bracco Italiano.
CHERRY EYE
Can affect most breeds, but some seem more prone over others.
SYMPTOMS
Can affect most breeds, but some seem more prone over others.
SYMPTOMS
- Rubbing or pawing at eye
- Prolapse of gland in eye. Red in colour.
MANAGEMENT
- Eye drops from Vet
- Veterinary or referral
- Cut out gland.
CAUSES
- Accident
- Infection
- Age and breed predisposition
- Genetic
ECTROPION
Most of us know blood hounds have saggy eyes which is ectropion. The Bracco Italiano can suffer with this. Some puppies with looser eye rims can find they tighten over age. Im told by breed experts it can take two years in some dogs cases whilst the head changes.
SYMPTOMS
Most of us know blood hounds have saggy eyes which is ectropion. The Bracco Italiano can suffer with this. Some puppies with looser eye rims can find they tighten over age. Im told by breed experts it can take two years in some dogs cases whilst the head changes.
SYMPTOMS
- Saggy eye rims
- Rubbing
- Redness
- Vet or Referral
- Suggestion is usually to wait and see if dogs face changes shape and eyes tighten.
- Surgical correction, although this has been known to go wrong.
- Breed Type
- Dogs with loose skin and known saggy eyes. Blood hounds, basset hounds Bracco,
PRA1-CORD
Symptoms:
MANAGEMENT
Symptoms:
- Dilated pupils
- Reluctance in poor light or dark to walk about.
- Hesitance to play retrieve games
- Clumsy bumping into objects.
- Loose ability to see in dark which is often why its called Night blindness
MANAGEMENT
- Stability in home. Furniture in same place.
- Routine and communication. Teach dog more commands so it can hear what you're saying.
- Antitoxins supplement health.
- Vet monitoring with Specialist vet.
- Genetic
- DNA GENE RPGRIP1 - Some breeds of dogs are more prone than others. Like Dachshund breed. There is a DNA test now for all breeds of dogs.
- Breeding dogs checked with visual eye exam before breeding if you have not DNA tested parents.
- DNA test done at Laboklin or other labs.
HEREDTIARY CATERACTS
Symptoms:
Yes in some breeds of dogs like Labradors, French bulldogs their is a DNA test. You should only buy puppies from DNA tested parents. So make sure the parents have been checked. Sadly there is NO DNA test for Vizsla, Bracco.
Symptoms:
- Cloud white film over eyes
- Hesitance to go up and down stairs or jump onto sofas.
- Anxiety around low lighting.
- Watery red eyes
- Behavioural issues down to changes in eyes.
- Blindness
- Eye specialist
- Non surgical intervention and use of drops.
- Surgical intervention.
- Use of drugs in drops.
- Genetic/Hereditary HSF4 gene
Yes in some breeds of dogs like Labradors, French bulldogs their is a DNA test. You should only buy puppies from DNA tested parents. So make sure the parents have been checked. Sadly there is NO DNA test for Vizsla, Bracco.
GLAUCOMA
Symptoms:
CAUSES
Before being bred dogs can have a check to look at the muscles in the eye and see if the dog has the start of Glaucoma.
Symptoms:
- Cloudy or Bluish eye
- Pawing at Eye
- Reduced interest in play
- Vision loss
- Squinting and blinking.
- Pain Relief
- Eye drops
- Specialist care
- Surgical
CAUSES
- Genetic
- Uveitis leading to Glaucoma.
- Lens Luxation leading to Glaucoma.
- Infection
- Retinal detatchment
- Tumors
Before being bred dogs can have a check to look at the muscles in the eye and see if the dog has the start of Glaucoma.