Poodles are often considered the national dog of France, although they originated in Germany. These are probably the most fashionable pets that you can buy on the pet market today. They not only look great with their thick curly hair, but also have unusual behavior.
They are quite mundane and have a clean smell. Poodles are very intelligent, energetic and have an excellent sense of humor. They get excellent service dogs due to their zeal and good temperament. These breeds are not very aggressive, so they are not good guardian animals, but they protect their owners. This makes them excellent companions, especially for families.
These dogs are classified into four main types according to their size: the Standard Poodle, the Medium Poodle, the Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle, which is the smallest. Their coats are colors such as white, black, brown, blue, gray, silver, coffee with milk, silver beige, cream, apricot, red and sometimes with prints. They also have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Like most dog breeds, they have characteristic health problems. This article will give you, as a dog owner, an overview of some common health-issue that can affect your poodle.
The most common health-issue of the Poodle
Five of the main health-issue that occur more frequently in this species of dog than in other breeds are:
Infate yourself
Bloating is a condition in which your pet’s stomach becomes too tight and turns due to the excessive amount of gases. This is also called the expansion of the stomach, inversion. This complication can be caused by a defect in the protective muscles called sphincters. Sphincters control the inflow of material from the esophagus and its outflow through the pylorus.
Standard poodles have an increased risk of this health problem because they are large, deep-chested breeds.
Usually this can be corrected, but it can be fatal if the stomach rotates 180 degrees and holds the air inside. Swelling can be characterized by;
Swelling.
Anorexia.
Thinning
Weakness and get-down.
Dyspnea.
Excessive salivation.
Your dog may vomit without taking anything out, that is, unproductive vomiting.
They may also show signs of severe malaise.
Sometimes an abnormal heart rate is also a symptom.
Treatment:
Once these symptoms manifest, your poodle should be taken to the vet as soon as possible. Swelling is usually treated surgically.
Addison’s health-issue
This is also called hypoadrenocorticism.
This health-issue occurs when the adrenal glands of poodles become defective and do not produce the required level of stress hormones called corticosteroids. Corticosteroid hormones help your pet adapt to stressful situations, so that without them, even the slightest stress can turn out to be fatal for your dog.
Symptoms of Addison’s health-issue include ;
Get-down and lethargy.
Anxiety.
Digestive problems.
Anorexia.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
It can also cause perilly low blood sugar levels, i.e. hypoglycemia.
Dehydration or excessive thirst.
Tremble.
This health-issue is difficult to determine by symptoms alone, but it can be detected by a complete blood test. Most dogs are diagnosed only after an Addison’s crisis (collapse from a shock caused by a stressful event) and should be hospitalized at that time. To ensure that your poodle does not come to this, be sure to take him for routine examinations and tests.
Treatment:
Addison’s health-issue is incurable, but it can be treated by administering a liquid or medicine treatment to replace corticosteroid hormones. Your dog will also need a lot of care and as little stress as possible.
Thyroid problems
It is more common in aging poodles, because with age, body functions decrease. The two main thyroid problems are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is an increase in the secretion of thyroxine.
Thyroxine is the hormone responsible for regulating the metabolism of dogs or the amount of energy used by their body. This helps in the proper functioning of all organs of the body.
Hypothyroidism is a decrease in the production of the hormone thyroxine, which slows down the functions of the body. This is the more browbeating health problem of the two.
Thyroid problems can be caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland or a tumor. Symptoms include:
Hair loss.
Weight gain.
Excessive hunger.
I’m looking for warm places.
Itching and hair loss.
Wounds that do not heal.
Slow heart rate.
Weakened immune system.
Treatment:
Hypothyroidism is incurable, but it can be treated with thyroid replacement therapy.
Hip dysplasia
This health-issue occurs when the poodle’s hip joint weakens. It is mainly a genetic health-issue in dogs and is inherited in the form of hip deformity.
It can also be aggravated by overweight, stress due to excessive body exertion and sudden growth jumps.
Symptoms may begin to appear in poodles when they are young, but become more noticeable with age. Include:
Weak limbs.
Reluctance to play sports.
Difficulty standing up.
Lame.
Small uncertain steps.
Jump with both hind legs raised.
Treatment:
Hip dysplasia is treated with joint therapy, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medicines, joint fluid modifiers and joint supplements. You can also moderate the amount of exercise your pet gets. This will help reduce the symptoms.
Epileptic
It is a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by abnormal brain activity that leads to seizures. During these episodes, your dog may lose control of his body, suffer from cramps and foam at the mouth.
Epilepsy is said to be closely related to heredity. In most dogs, it is easy to overlook until a seizure occurs.
Symptoms usually include one of the following:;
Salivation.
Stimulation.
Sudden loss of consciousness.
Dyspnea.
Immunity.
Turmoil.
Limbs unharmed.
Strange movements.
Treatment:
Depending on the severity, medicines such as phenobarbital and imepitoin are usually prescribed. It is also important to help your veterinarian by paying special attention to your dog’s symptoms and how he has seizures.
Maintaining The Health Of Your Poodle
Working on the prevention of health-issue is always easier than on how to get rid of them. These are simple things that are essential for your dog’s health, and prioritizing them will help your pet avoid many health-issue. Some steps you can take to make your dog feel strong and confident in his health include;
Energy
A good diet will contain meat, cereals, vegetables, fruits and water. Avoid artificial sweeteners and foods that expand in the stomach like crumbs.
Caregiver
Poodles have a thick coat, so they require intensive care. Consider cutting your nails with a dog nail clipper, bathing regularly, keeping your teeth hygienic and taking care of your pet’s coat to maintain their hygiene habits. It is also easier to detect symptoms and parasites by taking care of them.
Regular Veterinary Checks
Many health-issue can be detected and stopped at an early stage during an examination at the veterinarian. Don’t miss them.
Exercise
A walk during the day scares the doctor. Exercise helps your dog’s mental and body health. It also teaches them to be sociable.
Conclusion
Other health-issue, including cancer, such as insulinoma and hemangiosarcoma, also affect poodles more than other breeds. Toy poodles are known to be more sensitive to hypoglycemia.
However, these are special dogs. Although most of the poodle breed’s health problems are genetic and therefore partly insurmountable, you, as the owner, should not be frustrated. By giving them the best care you are capable of, you will help them live their best life and keep beautiful memories. After all, the only thing that matters is your dedication to your pet.
