Common Pomeranian dog health problems include distichiasis, cataracts, Legg-Perthes disease, and collapsed trachea. These problems can lead to permanent vision loss or permanent scarring. Fortunately, there is a treatment for distichiasis that involves the removal of extra eyelashes.
Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the most common dog health issues. Cataracts can occur at any age and can be caused by several factors. Some of these causes are hereditary and others are caused by an injury to the neck. It is important to get your Pomeranian to a vet for an evaluation and treatment.
Cataracts are a painful disease that can cause partial or complete blindness in your dog. It occurs when the lens fails to keep proper hydration. The result is a cloudy lens, which blocks light from reaching the retina. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to painful ocular inflammation, glaucoma, and even permanent blindness.
While there are no specific symptoms of cataracts in younger dogs, older dogs are more likely to suffer from them. Cataracts usually start as a tiny cloudy spot on the lens, and can progress to the size of an entire lens. Cataracts can cause a dog to lose some or all of their vision, so the early diagnosis is crucial. Cataract surgery can save your dog’s sight, as long as it is detected in time.
If your dog is diagnosed with cataracts, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Preoperative examinations are necessary in order to rule out other possible causes. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination and eye exam. They may also recommend medications to help minimize the risk of complications. If your dog does not require surgery, you can help them live a full life without it.
Distichiasis
Distichiasis is an eye condition in which extra hairs grow inside the eyelid and rub against the eye. It is an inherited condition and most dogs suffer from it at some point in their lives. This disorder can lead to corneal ulcers, eyelid inflammation, and even chronic eye pain. There are a number of treatment options available to help your dog get back to health. Fortunately, prognosis is generally good when the hairs are permanently removed.
If left untreated, distichiasis can result in corneal ulcers, which can lead to blindness or the loss of an eye. Some cases of distichiasis may require referral to an ophthalmologist. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases to remove the offending eyelashes, which will kill the hair follicles. Lasers, cryosurgery, and electrocautery can be used to destroy the follicles. However, these procedures can leave eyelid scarring and may require repeated surgery.
Distichiasis is largely a problem affecting smaller breeds, such as Pomeranians. In this condition, the jelly-like cushion between the vertebrae slips and presses on the spinal cord. Symptoms include limping, inability to jump, and difficulty moving the back legs. If the condition is severe, your dog may become paralyzed and unable to move around on its own. Moreover, your dog may begin to drag its back legs.
Cataracts are another common health problem affecting Pomeranians. Cataracts can cause hazy vision and cloudy eyes. If left untreated, distichiasis can even lead to corneal ulcers. It is important to visit a vet if you suspect your dog has this eye condition.
Legg-Perthes disease
X-rays are the most common way to diagnose Legg-Perthes disease. Early signs of the disease include decreased bone density on the head of the femur. Later signs include flattening of the ball of the femur. Radiographs also reveal severe arthritis. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals offers a program to evaluate dogs for the disease at an early age. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The disease can be painful and is often accompanied by limping on the affected leg. The progression of the disease can be gradual, or it can occur suddenly. At the end of the disease, your POMERANIAN dog may lose muscle mass in the leg. A dog with this condition may require surgery.
Treatment options for Legg-Perthes disease include surgery and physiotherapy. Conservative therapy can help manage the pain and lameness of the disease. However, it won’t cure the condition. Dogs with mild cases of the disease may be able to live comfortably for years. If you suspect your dog has this disease, try to keep it lean to reduce stress on the affected joint. Excess weight will put extra strain on the joint and cause the problem to worsen.
Another common POMERANIAN dog health issue is cataracts. Cataracts are more common in dogs than in cats, but it is possible to prevent it with good care and preventive measures.
Collapsed trachea
A collapsed trachea is one of the most common dog health problems. While it is sometimes a result of malformation, it is an entirely treatable condition. Your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests to determine the cause and the best treatment for your dog. These tests may include a chest x-ray to rule out other conditions and to determine the location of collapse. If the condition is not treatable by a simple medication, your veterinarian will likely recommend a surgical procedure known as a tracheotomy. This procedure is done under general anesthesia and will involve inserting a camera into your dog’s trachea. It uses real-time moving x-rays to look for damage.
The main cause of collapsed trachea in Pomeranians is trauma, most often from wearing a leash collar, which puts pressure directly on the fragile neck. Coughing is also a common symptom, which can be a warning sign of illness. Your veterinarian will treat your dog with a cough suppressant, a bronchodilator, and possibly an antibiotic. The medications can help your dog breathe more comfortably and improve their quality of life.
Tracheal collapse is a progressive disease and symptoms usually show up in dogs around six or seven years old. The most noticeable symptom is chronic coughing, which sounds like a goose honking sound. Coughing fits may be more severe at night and after meals. A humid environment or pressure from a collar may also trigger the coughing fits.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition of the hip joint. Treatment options include surgery, physical therapy, and other procedures to manage pain and inflammation. Surgery may be needed when other treatments have failed. Physical therapy can improve range of motion and decrease joint inflammation. Surgical treatments may include femoral head ostectomy, which removes the femur head but leaves the muscles intact to form a false joint. This false joint is often less painful than the diseased hip joint.
Dogs with hip dysplasia typically show lameness in the hind limbs and are often in pain. They may run slowly or perform gait abnormalities, such as bunny-hopping. Symptoms typically first appear when a dog is six to 12 months old, but can progress as late as 12 years old. Some dogs may not exhibit symptoms at all. Imaging tests such as X-rays may reveal significant degeneration of the bony components of the hip joints.
Hip dysplasia is a multifactorial condition, which means that genetics, diet, hormonal influences, and environmental factors are all significant factors. There is little evidence to suggest that abnormal DNA plays a role in hip dysplasia. However, intensive research is underway to discover what causes the condition in canines.
To determine the cause of hip dysplasia, a veterinarian will conduct a physical exam. A veterinarian will also watch a dog’s gait and stance. It is important to provide your veterinarian with a full medical history to help diagnose the condition. The veterinarian will examine your dog’s hips, as well as other joints, and will feel for muscle abnormalities or range of motion.
Entropion
Although the exact treatment for entropion in dogs is difficult to predict, surgical intervention is often the best option. It is a relatively simple procedure, and the success rate is very high. During this surgery, your vet will remove excess skin from the affected eyelid to prevent it from folding inward.
Entropion is a common dog eyelid condition, affecting both upper and lower eyelids. It is the result of an abnormal shape of the eyelid and can cause irritation and scratching of the eyeball. This can lead to more serious conditions.
Entropion is a genetic condition that affects many breeds. It is most common in sporting breeds, giant breeds, and short-nosed breeds. The problem can be caused by excessive eyelid tension or by inflammation of the muscles around the eye. The problem is often accompanied by chronic conjunctivitis. It can also be caused by rapid weight loss or inflammation of the muscles around the jaw.
In addition to eye problems, Pomeranians are susceptible to a variety of skin conditions. For instance, dry skin and itchy skin are common in this breed. Fortunately, there are several treatment options for entropion.