Health Issues In Schnauzers
All of our dogs have been tested for over 200+ different genetic issues and all tested non affected.
We still offer an extended health guarantee that covers any genetic, hereditary, or congenital birth defects for the lifetime of your pet.
WE STRIVE TO BREED THE HEALTHIEST PUPPIES AVAILABLE!!!!
Like all breeds, there may be some health issues, like eye diseases. Some dogs face some of these health challenges in their lives, but the majority of Miniature Schnauzers are incredibly healthy dogs compared to most breeds.
Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to own a Miniature Schnauzer can gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed.
Not all Minis will develop all of these conditions, and those who do will experience them to varying degrees of severity, but it is not uncommon for them to form at least one health condition.
In a word, Miniatures are predisposed to getting fat. High cholesterol means high levels of fat are in the bloodstream. Left untreated, this can lead to secondary conditions such as eye problems, pancreatitis, or even seizures. Feeding a healthy diet that does not contain high amounts of fat is essential.
Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Any breed can be affected. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars and require daily insulin injections. It is a severe condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. Well regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines.
This condition develops when the body loses its ability to process fat. An overly fatty meal may induce an attack as indicated by vomiting, diarrhea, or a tender tummy. A lot of breeders swear that a healthy diet can prevent this.
Bladder & Kidney Stones
These can form anywhere in the urinary system. Stones are treated either medically or through surgical removal. Some people give bottled water or filtered water only because some tap water is terrible and filled with a substantial amount of minerals
Minis tend to have allergic dermatitis, in which the skin develops an itchy rash after coming into contact with any variety of substances. It's also thought that their food is the number one source of skin allergies. So feeding a grain free healthy diet is very important. This allergic reaction can cause discomfort and appear unsightly we call this (Schnauzer Bumps), but this otherwise does not interfere with health or life expectancy.
This is a genetic condition that is covered by our lifetime health guarantee. It remains constant once it has presented. Severity can range from small disturbances in the field of vision, caused by folds in the tissue of the retina, to cataract or ultimately blindness.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
(PRA) is a genetic disease covered in your health guarantee. It is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina, causing progressive vision loss culminating in blindness. All of our adults are tested for this and passed clear.
This is not the most common health issue a Mini can have, but it is one of the worst ones that can happen. That is why we cover for this health issue in our lifetime health guarantee as well.
Mini Schnauzers can have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (PSS). Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the organ of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream efficiently. If he develops symptoms such as stunted growth or seizures, your vet can test his blood and possibly conduct an ultrasound scan of his liver. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, it can be treated with medication.
We cover any heart diseases that are hereditary/congenital or due to a birth defect in our lifetime health guarantee. Miniature Schnauzers are prone to multiple types of heart disease, which can occur both early and later in life. Early detection of heart disease often allows us to treat with a medication that usually prolongs your pet’s life for many years. Veterinary dental care and weight control go a long way in preventing heart disease.