Health Issues in Schapendoes
At Sanssouci we do all the possible breed related health checks and more before using any of our dogs in a breeding program. We will also not use a stud dog that has not passed all his health checks. This does not mean that our future pups will be free of all health issues, but it does mean that we have done our best before breeding a litter, so that you as puppy buyers will have the assurance that your puppy will hopefully be as healthy as it's parents. There are no absolute health guarantees when dealing with living beings but there are ways to do our best to prevent them! them. Below are the health issues that can appear in our breed.
Elevated Alt Readings in a blood chemistry:
This is not an illness or health issue in itself in Schapendoes but is pretty much breed specific. Unfortunately in the past some dogs that went in for routine bloodwork before a neutering or spaying etc. when discovered to have high ALT readings (elevated readings usually means liver issues) immediately veterinarians thought that the dog had liver issues, some were even considered to be on their death beds, if the readings were exceptionnaly high. Even though these sames dogs showed absolutely no symptoms that they had an liver problems. Liver problems were 'NOT THE CASE' even when further testing such as biopsies, ultrasounds etc. were done. When more Schapendoes were found to have elevated ALT readings without having any liver issues the conclusion was made through a study that since Schapendoes have extraordinarily muscled thighs that the elevated readings were coming from those muscles since these have the same chemisteries. Unfortunately before this study dogs were either being treated with unnecessary medications even though that had no other apparent liver issues or worse they were being put down because owners were led to believe they are on their death beds !!!
Progressive retina Atrophy (PRA):
The PRA form occurring in Schapendoes is night blindness (gPRA). Night blindness begins at the age of 2-5 and eventually the animal becomes entirely blind by the age of 5-10 years. This is a hereditary condition and is caused when both parents are carriers of the recessive gene. However, a genetic test is available to determine whether either parent is a carrier.
Retina Dysplasia:
There have been cases of RD in this breed. Our pups are seen by
a canine eye specialist before they leave. we ask that our new puppy owners have their pups eyes tested between 2 to 3 years of age by a canine opthamologist. Plus we ask that their veterinarians thoroughly check their dogs eyes at annual check-ups .
http://www.upei.ca/cidd/Diseases/ocular%20disorders/retinal%20dysplasia.htm
Hip Dysplasia:
This a terrible genetic disease because of the various degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, osteoarthrosis) it can eventually produce, leading to pain and debilitation. Since this can be a severely crippling disease all our breedings are only with OFA'd good or excellent dogs.
http://www.offa.org/hipgeninfo.html
Elbow dysplasia:
This a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow of dogs. This can also be screened for with an x-ray to determine if the dog has normally formed elbows.
http://www.offa.org/elbowgeninfo.html
Autoimmune thyroiditis:
Is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in dogs. The disease has variable onset, but tends to clinically manifest itself at 2 to 5 years of age. Dogs may be clinically normal for years, only to become hypothyroid at a later date. The marker for autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroglobulin autoantibody formation, usually occurs prior to the occurrence of clinical signs. Therefore, periodic retesting is recommended.
http://www.offa.org/thygeninfo.html
We test our dogs every 2 years along with complete blood chemistries to make sure they have no hidden health issues. Every one should do complete blood tests on their dogs at the age of 2 and every couple of years after. Even dogs that aren't being bred should have a baseline to refer to in case the dog starts to not feel well at a later age. I believe that dogs should have routine bloodwork done at 2 years of age then every 2 years after the age of 5. It's simple prevention just like doctors do with humans from the age of 40 on. Usually we do our testing through Dr. Jean Dodds www.hemopet.org/ we also titer instead of over-vaccinating.
Congenital heart diseases:
In dogs these are malformations of the heart or great vessels. The lesions characterizing congenital heart defects are present at birth and may develop more fully during perinatal and growth periods. Many congenital heart defects are thought to be genetically transmitted from parents to offspring; however, the exact modes of inheritance have not been precisely determined for all cardiovascular malformations.
http://www.offa.org/cardiacgeninfo.html
Panosteitis:
This is a bone disease of dogs that is characterized by bone proliferation and remodeling. It is often painful and can last as long as 18 months, though more commonly it lasts from 2 to 5 months. It is characterized by lameness that often comes and goes and changes from leg to leg. It is a common problem in several large breeds and the cause is currently unknown. The treatment is symptomatic but the outcome is usually very good. This is not a usual problem in Schapendoes but there have been reported cases.
www.peteducation.com/article.cfm
| 
