Miniature Poodle Health Problems and Raising a Miniature Poodle Puppy to be Healthy
By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2016
The most common health problems in Miniature Poodles:
Eye diseases are the major concern in Miniature Poodles:
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) can appear at 3-5 years old. Fortunately, a simple DNA test is available so you can find out at any time (without waiting for symptoms) whether your Mini Poodle has inherited PRA, or not.
- Severe cataracts can appear from birth to 3 years old and usually lead to blindness. Cataracts appearing after age 3 are usually milder.
- Other eye problems in Miniature Poodles include tear duct disorders, corneal ulcers, eyelash abnormalities, retinal dysplasia, and glaucoma.
The most common orthopedic health problem in Miniature Poodles is luxating patella (loose knees). Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is more serious, but less common. Hip dysplasia occurs in the breed, as well.
Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is not uncommon in Miniature Poodles, especially in those born with short legs and a long back, which is a deformity called chondrodysplasia. But IVDD can occur in square-built Poodles, as well. My dog Buffy is a square-built Miniature Poodle and she has a mild chronic IVDD.
Epilepsy (seizures) is a real concern in Miniature Poodles.
Allergies (which cause itchy skin and can lead to pyoderma), non-tumorous skin growths, and tumors (usually benign sebaceous gland tumors and basal cell tumors) are fairly common in Poodles. Ear infections are common due to the long narrow ear canals and profuse hair in the ear canals.
Two digestive diseases, pancreatitis and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, are more common in Miniature Poodles than in most other breeds. Pancreatitis is especially common in middle-aged Poodles who are pudgy around the middle and don't get a lot of exercise. Be sure not to suddenly give these dogs a meal or a treat that's very high-fat, as this is the most common trigger of a pancreatitis attack, which can be fatal.
Heart disease (patent ductus arteriosus and septal defects) and blood-clotting diseases (von Willebrand's and hemophilia A) occur in Miniature Poodles. Fortunately, a simple DNA test is available so you can find out at any time (without waiting for symptoms) whether your Poodle has inherited von Willebrand's disease, or not.
Hormonal/endocrine diseases include hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, and diabetes.
Rare neurological diseases include cerebellar ataxia (in Miniature Poodle puppies) and narcolepsy.
Mini Poodles are prone to dental disease and harmless episodes of reverse sneezing.
Can you prevent health problems from happening to YOUR Miniature Poodle?
Yes, often you can.
- Some health problems are genetic, which means inherited from parents. Genetic health issues are common in Miniature Poodles today because of unwise breeding practices. My book, Dog Quest: Find The Dog Of Your Dreams, shows you how to find a Miniature Poodle puppy who is genetically healthy.
- Other health problems are environmental – caused by the way you raise your dog. My best-selling dog health book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to prevent environmental health problems by raising your Miniature Poodle puppy (or adult dog) in all the right ways.
Here are my dog health tips for raising a healthy Miniature Poodle puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Miniature Poodle lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet.
The Best Dog Food For Feeding Your Miniature Poodle
The best diet for feeding your Miniature Poodle is real food. Real chicken, turkey, beef, bison, venison, fish....This is not "people food" and I'll tell you why.
The Second-Best Dog Food For Your Miniature Poodle
If you can't feed homemade dog food, here are your next-best choices.
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Miniature Poodle puppy really need? Does your adult Poodle need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed. Find out what many vets aren't telling you.
The Type of Veterinarian I Recommend
Is your veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Learn about the differences between vets who practice conventional, holistic, and alternative veterinary medicine.
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Advantages and disadvantages of spaying your female Miniature Poodle.
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Advantages and disadvantages of neutering your male dog.
Assisi Loop Review: How I Helped Treat Inflammation and Pain With Electromagnetic Field Therapy
Does your dog suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, pancreatitis, colitis, injuries such as fractures and skin wounds, or a neurological condition? An honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to help reduce inflammation and pain.
Copyright © 2000-2016 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved.
No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website,
or distributed in any way without the express permission of the author.