Health Issues

What Is Health Testing

Conscientious breeders check the dogs they will be breeding for hereditary health problems. The breeder should show you the proof that their dogs are tested. This does not guarantee puppies will not develop problems but it certainly minimizes the risks. These problems are not specific to Standard Poodles but develop in most other breeds of dogs. Here are what most breeders check for:

Hip Dysplasia (HD): This is a defect of the hip socket that may cause lameness and pain. A x-ray is taken of the dogs hips by a regular veterinarian and then sent to the University of Guelph or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. This x-ray is read by specialized veterinarians. Some breeders are also doing a new method of x-raying called Penn Hip.

For more information on hip dysplasia check out http://workingdogs.com/doc0090.htm

Eyes: Poodles eyes need to be checked yearly by a Board Certified Veterinary Opthamologist for cataracts (hardening of the lens) and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) plus other inherited eye diseases. Dogs certified clear may still produce puppies with eye diseases. For more information http://www.eyevet.org/

Von Willebrands Disease (vWd): This is a bleeding disorder similar to people hemophiliac. Breeders can do a DNA test to prove their animals are clear, carriers or affected. If both parents are clear they can not produce puppies with this disease. This test only needs to be done once, the results will not change. For more information:

http://www.vetgen.com/vwddobs.html

Sebaceous Adenitis (SA): SA is a skin disorder where the sebaceous glands malfunction and may cause hair loss. Many poodles may be carriers of this disease and testing, by way of a skin punch, can only prove the poodle is not affected at the time of the test. The dog may develop the disease later in life and may produce puppies with this disease. For more information http://www.jaz93.demon.co.uk/sebaceous_adenitis.htm

Addison’s Disease: This disease is caused by the adrenal glands not producing enough cortisone and aldosterone. Symptoms may include decreased appetite, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss. The dog will require medication for the rest of its life. Dogs are tested for this disease by a simple blood test. This test does not prove/disprove carrier status. The dog may test clear but could still develop the disease later in life and may produce puppies with this disease. For more information http://www.medhelp.org/www/nadf3.htm

Hypothyroid Disease: This disease is caused by a disturbance of the Thyroid gland. The symptoms are vague and there may be coat changes such as hair loss, brittle coat, dry thickened skin. There may be a change in appetite. This disease if not caught early can be life-threatening. Breeders test the dogs blood with a thyroid panel that involves T3, T4 and TSH. The dog will require medication for life. Dogs tested this way may still develop the disease and may produce puppies that develop this disease. For more information:

http://www.peteducation.com/dogs/hypothyroid.htm

Other Diseases:

Bloat: This disease is related to colic in horses. The stomach twists which causes air to be trapped. If this happens the blood supply to the spleen and liver may be cut off. This requires immediate veterinarian care and may lead to death. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, restlessness, vomiting and shock. There is no test for this disease. Bloat and Torsion have a genetic component. Any deep chested breed is susceptible to bloat. For more information:

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm

Epilepsy: This is a condition in which a dog has convulsions. Convulsions can be caused by many reasons (injury, ingesting poison or inherited). Dogs with this condition should not be bred. The treatment is anticonvulsant medication. There is no test for this disease. For more information:

http://www.VIPoodle.org