7 Serious Canine Health Issues

Good canine health is important to all dog owners. All pet owners want to ensure their dog has a happy and disease-free life. Canine health issues are either hereditary/congenital or acquired through injury or environmental conditions. Most breeders spend a lot of time and resources trying to get rid of genetic diseases in their lines. However, some amateur breeders and puppy mills are breeding dogs without screening the parents and perpetuating canine health issues.

The diseases suffered by dogs are very similar to those suffered by us humans. These include:

• Eye Diseases: There are a variety of eye diseases that can be serious canine health issues and even lead to blindness. These include cataracts and Glaucoma which can affect almost all breeds.

• Heart Disease: Same as us humans, dogs can also suffer from heart disease be it blockages in the arteries or the veins leading to or from the heart. It is quite common in Newfoundland dogs, Boxers, Golden retrievers, Rottweilers, Labrador retriever, Great Dane, Irish wolfhound, Saint Bernard and Scottish deerhound.

• Endocrine Disorders: These canine health issues include diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism.  Breeds that show early signs of inherited diabetes can include the: Alaskan malamute, Chow chow, Doberman pinscher, English Springer spaniel, Golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Miniature Schnauzer, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle, Schipperke and West Highland white terrier.

• Congenital deafness: This is very common in the Dalmatian but is also prevalent in Australian shepherds, Border collies, Bull terriers, Doberman pinschers, English setters, Pointers, Rottweilers and Shetland sheepdogs.

• Epilepsy: While this condition can be present in all breeds, it is most prevalent in American cocker spaniels, Australian shepherds, Beagles, Border collies, Golden retrievers, Italian greyhounds, Irish setters, Miniature pinschers, and Shetland sheepdogs.

• Kidney diseases: These diseases affect many breeds but the most common are the: Bernese Mountain dog, Bull terrier, Cairn terrier, Chinese Shar-Pei, Doberman pinscher, English cocker spaniel, Golden retriever, Lhasa Apso, Norwegian elkhound, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Samoyed, Standard Poodle, and Soft-coated Wheaten terrier.

• Respiratory disorders are most commonly seen in brachycephalic breeds and range from tracheal narrowing to respiratory difficulties because the face is very short. It is most common in the English bulldog and Boston terrier.

Some of the more canine health issues include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, aortic stenosis, entropion and panosteitis. There are many more canine health issues that are prevalent in a number of dog breeds and can seriously affect your dog’s health.

Related articles
Understanding Skeletal and Muscular Disorders in Dogs
Your Dog’s Life is in Your Hands
Signs of Serious Dog Health Problems
Relieve Dog Pain with Acupuncture

7 books to identify 7 serious canine health issues
1) Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook
2) A-Z of Dog Diseases & Health Problems: Signs, Diagnoses, Causes, Treatment
3) The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet’s Problems-From Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders, and Other Animal Experts
4) Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
5) The Complete Holistic Dog Book: Home Health Care for Our Canine Companions
6) Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats : Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements
7) The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health: The complete pet health resource for your dog, cat, horse or other pets – in everyday language. (Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health (Home Edition))