5 Dog Breeds Likely To Have Medical Issues

All dog breeds are adorable, but not all are made alike. Many dog breeds have specific medical issues that other breeds may not be likely to have. Some breeds may be more prone to stomach issues while another breed may be prone to skin issues.

Here are five dog breeds likely to have medical issues.

1. Saint Bernard

This large dog breed is one of the best family pets. They are usually friendly and inviting towards people, but they are also prone to some serious medical issues. For one, Saint Bernard’s are likely to get hip dysplasia. It’s a heritable condition where the thighbone does not completely fit into the dog’s hip joint. This can cause the dog pain and lameness on either or both back legs and can lead to some pretty extreme cases of arthritis. This breed can also be prone to elbow dysplasia. It is similar to hip dysplasia, but is caused by different growth rates with the three elbow bones according to DogTime.com. Surgery can help the problem along with medication, but Xaint Bernard’s will still be at risk for other injuries to their legs.

2. French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are prone to getting brachycephalic syndrome due to their short heads, narrow nostrils, and elongated palates. As a result of this syndrome, French Bulldogs have obstructed airways, noisy or labored breathing, and can potentially cause the collapse the dog’s airway. As stated on AllStarFrenchBulldogs.com, treatment for brachycephalic syndrome varies depending on the severity of the dog’s condition, but one option does include oxygen therapy and surgery to widen airways. Cleft Palates are also common for any bulldog breed. Puppies are usually born with this condition or it can occur after an injury. The only treatment for a cleft palate is surgery, but it is not always required.

3. Pug

This common dog breed is prone to having the medical condition known as pug dog encephalitis, or PDE, which is a fatal inflammatory brain disease. It is unique to the pug breed. VetInfo.com states that medical researchers do not know why they develop this condition as there is no way to test or treat it. The only way to test if your pug has this condition is to test the brain after the dog passes because of how unknown PDE is to the veterinary world. Pugs can also develop dry eye more commonly than other breeds. This is caused when the eyes do not produce enough tears to stay moistened. Dry eye usually requires life-long treatment and care to keep your pug healthy and comfortable.

4. Beagle

This friendly and beloved dog breed is not as carefree as they seem. Beagles are prone to developing intervertebral disk disease in which their vertebrae and discs are not working correctly. The National Beagle Club states that this can cause the beagle to be in extreme pain in the neck or back. If the case is severe, the dog can lose their sensation, become paralyzed, and lose bladder and bowel control. Beagles are also prone to having hypothyroidism, which is a disorder of the thyroid gland and can be the cause of epilepsy, alopecia, obesity, and skin conditions. The best way to treat hypothyroidism is to maintain a proper diet and use the correct medication.

5. Basenji

The Basenji dog breed is prone to having what veterinarians call fanconi syndrome. This syndrome is a kidney disease that affects the normal processing of sugars and proteins that your pet ingests. BasenjiRescue.org reveals that symptoms of this condition include excessive thirst, urination, and elevated levels of glucose in the urine. Currently, there is no cure for this syndrome, but there are treatments and medications to give your basenji. These treatments are time-consuming as they involve feeding your dog around thirty pills a day to keep this syndrome controlled.

What dog breeds do you know of that are prone to health issues? Leave a comment and let us know!