Poms are surprisingly susceptible to health problems. This is because their small size makes them more vulnerable to disease in general. For those who are lucky enough to have a Pomeranian, you want to take good care of the little ones. In this article, we will know all about 4 common health problems in Pomeranians.
bayşanslı giriş
1. Tracheal Collapse
It’s the most common respiratory problem in small dogs, and it’s believed to be hereditary. It’s caused by a weakening of a dog’s windpipe that causes it to flatten or even collapse when he breathes in or out. The condition can vary from mild to severe and is often triggered by excitement.
Symptoms
- A honking cough.
- A gagging sound when your dog tries to eat or drink or a wet-sounding cough.
- Symptoms worsen with exercise but often clear up after rest.
Treatment
There are several treatment options, including surgery and medication, but the most common treatment is simply avoiding situations that cause stress on your dog’s trachea, such as pulling on his leash, walking him in hot weather, and obesity. If your dog has a honking cough after eating, try feeding him his meals from a slow feeder bowl or using an elevated food bowl instead of one that sits on the floor.
Patellar luxation
Patellar Luxation is a genetic condition affecting the stifles (knees) of dogs. The patella, often known as the kneecap, is a component of the stifle joint (knee). The kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, in either a medial or lateral position in patellar luxation. For the dog, this can be excruciatingly painful. It usually occurs in small breeds and is often seen with other joint issues such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease or hip dysplasia.
The kneecap may luxate to the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This can happen while the dog is running, walking upstairs, jumping on and off furniture, or even just squatting to urinate. Some dogs may experience pain with this condition and limp while others can function normally with a luxating patella.
There are four grades of patellar luxation, ranging from grade I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning inward of the knee joint is permanent, causing severe lameness.
In general, surgery is recommended for grade III and IV cases. For milder grades, surgery is not needed but you should go to the veterinarian immediately otherwise your dog can be lame for the whole life.
Eye problems
Pomeranians are prone to several eye problems, many of which are genetic. These include:
Cherry Eye– This is a protrusion or prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. It is fairly common in Pomeranians and can be corrected through surgery.
Entropion– This is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, irritating the cornea. Often painful and requiring surgical correction, entropion is very common in Poms.
Distichiasis– Distichiasis occurs when extra eyelashes grow from the oil glands of the eyelid margin. These unusual lashes rub against the cornea and cause irritation and discomfort. Surgical removal of these extra eyelashes may be required for severe cases.
Ectropion– The opposite of entropion, ectropion causes a drooping lower eyelid that exposes the conjunctiva (the moist pink membrane) on the inside surface. This can allow bacteria to get under the eyelid and cause infection. Ectropion is commonly seen in older dogs who have lost muscle tone in their face as they age, but it can also occur as a congenital defect or due to nerve damage.
You should take your puppy to the veterinarian every 3 to 4 months to identify these problems in an advance.
ALSO READ: 8 Amazing Tips To Choose Your Pet Supply Stores
Skin and coat problems
There are a few skins and coat problems that Pomeranians may be prone to. These include:
1. Demodex mange
This is also known as red mange or puppy mange and often occurs in puppies between the ages of 3 and 12 months old. It is caused by an overgrowth of mites, which can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
2. Alopecia
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss, and it can be caused by stress or infections. The term can also be used to describe bald patches on older dogs, though these are usually caused by hormonal problems.
3. Ringworm
Ringworm is not caused by a worm but is a fungal infection that leads to small round areas of hair loss on the body. Though it is not harmful, it can spread easily to other pets and people so should be treated as soon as possible.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common health problems in Pomeranians. It is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain vital hormones, including thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The thyroid gland is located in the neck area just below the larynx or voice box.
These hormones are responsible for controlling metabolism, which is the rate at which your body uses energy, oxygen, and nutrients to function. They also help to regulate growth, reproduction, and mental functions.
When thyroid hormone production levels drop below normal, all these functions are affected. Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of factors including underactive thyroid, medication side effects, infections, and even cancer of the thyroid gland.
If you have any concerns that your dog may be suffering from any symptoms of hypothyroidism you must see your veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can assess your dog’s condition and advise you on the best course of treatment.
As you can tell, there are plenty of common health problems in Pomeranians. That being said, if you take proper precautions and use a consistent bathing schedule, you can avoid most of these issues from happening. But most of the puppies are affected in the house of breeders. So always buy puppies from a reputable breeder like elegant pom puppies for sale. I have to own bought a puppy among the listed teacup pomeranian puppies for sale and saw that the puppy is quite healthy. This is the reason I am recommending you it. Thanks for reading!
