Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans For Routine Care In 2023

Vets Recommend Learning About Dog Breeds Before Adopting

Toni Berzett, a veterinary technician, puts sunglasses on Fauna, her Shetland sheepdog, at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Do Your Homework

Those looking for a new dog should take certain important factors into consideration before deciding on a breed, as each comes with its own personality and health issues.

Dachshunds and basset hounds, for example, tend to have back and neck issues due to their length and short legs. Knowing this, an owner will likely have to train them at a young age not to jump onto the furniture as it can cause these issues.

Dr. Jennifer Kennedy, a veterinarian at the Butler Veterinary Associates, recommended buying pet stairs for these types of breeds, if they are allowed on the furniture.

A common health issue that Kennedy has been seeing among all breeds is an outbreak of the parvovirus, a highly contagious disease among dogs that has a 91% mortality rate in untreated cases. Kennedy attributed the outbreak to the coronavirus pandemic.

"We've been seeing an outbreak of (parvo) due to (pets) not getting their vaccines during COVID," Kennedy said. "Whether people couldn't get in during COVID or couldn't financially afford it, we've seen more and more of an outbreak of parvo, and we're getting into that season again where we have more unvaccinated puppies."

Fauna, a Shetland sheep dog, strikes a pose at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Parvo affects the intestinal lining and causes digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Kennedy recommended avoiding dog parks if you have an unvaccinated puppy and only socialize them with animals that are known to be up-to-date on their vaccinations.

Any unvaccinated dog can get parvo, but puppies are more at risk because they have weaker immune systems. The vaccine should be administered when the dog is a puppy. The number of shots varies depending on the age of the puppy.

Regarding regular care for dogs, both Kennedy and Michele Walsh, of the Deer Creek Animal Hospital, recommend balanced diets, socializing dogs when they're young, and routine visits to the vet. Kennedy said the veterinarian a pet owner chooses should offer hours that fit their schedule so the pet can visit the vet on a consistent basis.

While health issues are something to consider when looking at a dog, the No. 1 trait to consider prior to adopting is the breed's personality. Both Kennedy and Walsh spoke about the importance of finding a dog that fits its owner's personality. If a low-energy person adopts a high-energy dog, like an Australian shepherd or border collie, issues can arise.

"You want to make sure that breed's energy level fits the energy level that you can put into it," said Kennedy. "There's some higher-energy dogs that won't be your couch potatoes, which is what some people want. They just get them because they look pretty."

Walsh echoed that point by giving a specific example — she said one of the more popular breeds today are goldendoodles, and many owners don't realize prior to adoption that the breed can be very high energy.

"People are loving the goldendoodles, and they are sweet and they are beautiful," said Walsh, "but some of them can be very hyper. I don't know if people are aware of that enough. They need a lot of exercise and a lot of stimulation, and people need to spend a lot of time with them. They're very smart, and they're very energetic. They can have some anxiety, if they are not stimulated enough."

Many websites exist that detail the traits of various breeds. Both Kennedy and Walsh recommend that pet owners thoroughly research the breed they are considering, specifically looking at the dog's personality, before adopting.

Fauna, a Shetland sheepdog, plays with a kitten on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Toni Berzett, a veterinary technician, puts sunglasses on Fauna, her Shetland sheepdog, at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Toni Berzett, a veterinary technician at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township, kisses her Shetland sheepdog, Fauna. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Fauna, a Shetland sheepdog, sniffs a kitten at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Fauna, a Shetland sheepdog, proves he was the coolest "cat" at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Fauna, a Shetland sheep dog, shows off her shades at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

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Readers On Dogs' Hip Problems

CATHY M. ROSENTHAL

Dear Cathy: I'm writing regarding the question from Jeff in Holtsville, New York, whose dog was diagnosed with a spinal stroke. I'm a vet tech and also a retired board-certified pediatrician. I have assisted with the surgery of many dogs limping, walking with pain and unable to jump.

When medicine is prescribed for joint pain and it doesn't work after about two months, a consultation should be had with a board-certified veterinary surgeon who can do a complete exam, X-rays, and a CT scan or MRI, if necessary. Two years is too long to wait to see if the medicine works.

The dog may need a total hip replacement, which can be done at a veterinary specialist facility. They also offer acupuncture and physical therapy and will not do the surgery if other means can be of benefit or at least tried first to see if there is any improvement before surgery. — Dr. Leonard J. Marino

People are also reading…

Dear Dr. Marino: Hip replacement may be the most long-lasting solution for a young dog with hip problems. Surgery can be expensive and, as you point out, may not be viable or necessary for every pet. So, it's great the veterinary world is open to trying complementary therapies first.

For my readers, "complementary therapies" may include acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, homeopathy and more, and they are often used in conjunction with traditional veterinary medicine.

For a list of holistic vets , visit the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association at www.Ahvma.Org.

Dear Cathy: I have a suggestion for the dog whose back legs were going out from under her. My dog started having similar problems. A visit to the vet and an X-ray showed some damaged discs in her back. Pain medication helped somewhat, but I knew it wouldn't solve the underlying problem. I took her to an animal chiropractor, where she received adjustments and laser treatments. The results have been amazing! — Cynthia, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dear Cynthia: I am glad to hear your dog is doing better. My dog was on joint supplements for hip and back problems, but after six months, we weren't seeing the desired results.

For other health reasons, surgery wasn't an option, so my veterinarian referred me to a holistic veterinarian for acupuncture treatments. The first time I took him for treatment, he could barely walk in the door. After just one session, he ran around and wanted to jump into the car. After that, I was sold on acupuncture for pets.

I also was thankful that my traditional vet and holistic vet worked together to come up with an integrated treatment plan.

Dear Cathy: I have some suggestions from recent questions, so I will be brief. The dog with hip problems might benefit from swimming. For the cat with vomiting, Diarrhea and intestinal problems, our new vet began a 12-week series of vitamin B12 shots, and the problems stopped. She is healthy with a beautiful coat. — Lynn, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dear Lynn: Water-based exercises are great for dogs. Rather than swimming, though, I suggest hydrotherapy, where a dog walks on a treadmill in a tank with water under the supervision of a vet or therapist.

As for the B12 shots, it doesn't surprise me that a vitamin deficiency could be the culprit for poor health. Thanks for sharing.

Dear Cathy: A letter writer from Holtsville, New York, recently wrote about his golden retriever diagnosed with a spinal stroke. He then said his dog tried jumping on the bed but fell backward on her hind legs and since has noticed that her legs give out when she runs. Did it occur to the owner to place steps by the bed to help his dog get on? — Jim, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Dear Jim: While stairs and ramps work great for cats and smaller dogs, most big dogs I have known have shied away from them. I think they feel unsteady standing on them.

But your idea is sound. To give a big dog some added support, a pet owner could put a footstool, which has more surface area than stairs or a ramp.

Cathy M. Rosenthal is an author and pet expert. Email her at Cathy@petpundit.Com. Please include your name, city and state. You can follow her @Cathymrosenthal.

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Why Are Dog Breeds With Innate Diseases Popular?

Flat-faced dogs such as French and English bulldogs are extremely popular despite suffering from severe innate diseases. Hungarian researchers have attempted to uncover the explanation for this paradox. In the end, they concluded that although enthusiasts of flat-faced dogs are aware of the health issues and strive to provide the best for their dogs, they are likely to normalize health problems.

The French and English bulldogs are among the most popular breeds in both the United States and Europe, but pugs and Boston Terriers also have a significant fan base. This is surprising, considering the several innate health problems these breeds face. At least half of them struggle with breathing difficulties, they frequently have eye problems, and over 80% of them require C-sections during delivery. Due to their health issues, flat-faced dogs typically live three to four years less than what would be expected based on their body size. The life expectancy of French Bulldogs is only around four and a half years.

"Previously, we observed that flat-faced breeds are more inclined to form eye contact with humans. We assumed that this trait is appealing to owners. We also considered the possibility that the enthusiasts of these dogs might not be aware of the innate health issues," said Zsófia Bognár, Ph.D. Student at the Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), and the lead author of the study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

In an online survey, the researchers presented 25 pairs of photos of dogs looking into the camera and looking away. Furthermore, they assessed the respondents' personality traits, whether they liked flat-faced dogs, and whether they were aware of their health problems. A total of 1,156 participants took part in the survey. Some results contradicted the researchers' expectations. It turned out that those who had a positive attitude towards flat-faced breeds randomly selected among the images. This finding suggests that despite the inclination of these dogs to form eye contact, it likely does not play a role in their popularity. On the other hand, those who preferred the photos of dogs looking into the camera were those who were sociable, easily made friends, and were capable of putting themselves in the position and perspective of others.

Interestingly, the respondents who liked flat-faced dogs were the most aware of the health problems. Overall, 99% of the respondents associated flat-faced breeds with breathing difficulties, 90% with dystocia, 61% with corneal ulceration, and only a few respondents associated them with fewer than four health problems. So, the health issues associated with flat-face are very much in public awareness.

In addition, it was also revealed that compared to the group who were neutral towards or disliked flat-faced breeds, enthusiasts of flat-faced dogs tend to be younger, have lower levels of education, and typically have no professional experience with dogs. In comparison to the neutral group, the enthusiasts are more likely to be women and have children. Compared to those who disliked flat-faced breeds, enthusiasts have higher emotional empathy, meaning they are more inclined to feel for the suffering of another living being.

"We expected that one of the main attractiveness of flat-faced dogs lies in their large eyes and that their owners would be delighted when the dogs look at them," said Eniko Kubinyi, head of the MTA-ELTE "Momentum" Companion Animal Research Group at ELTE.

"However, we did not find this to be true, at least not from the photographs. It is also not true that enthusiasts of flat-faced breeds are unaware of the dogs' health problems or are insensitive to their emotions. On the other hand, it has been revealed that they are relatively inexperienced dog owners. Thus, it is most likely that they are unaware of the dogs' communication signals, may not necessarily recognize signs of pain, and likely consider health problems as normal breed characteristics. For example, a snoring and grunting Bulldog appears cute to them, rather than sick and struggling for breath."

According to the results, therefore, even though enthusiasts of flat-faced dogs are aware of the innate health problems of these breeds, it does not discourage them from continuing to love these dogs.

"In many countries, there are awareness campaigns about the health issues of flat-faced breeds. However, the growing popularity of flat-faced dogs suggests that these campaigns are not very effective. It is clear that simply listing the health problems does not deter people from purchasing these dogs. Instead, the emphasis should be on highlighting that health issues should not be considered normal or acceptable characteristics because they often cause pain and suffering for the dogs. Dog owners need to be made aware that their choices play a significant role in shaping the health of dog breeds," said Zsófia Bognár.

More information: Zsófia Bognár et al, The brachycephalic paradox: The relationship between attitudes, demography, personality, health awareness, and dog-human eye contact, Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.Applanim.2023.105948

Citation: Why are dog breeds with innate diseases popular? (2023, June 6) retrieved 29 June 2023 from https://phys.Org/news/2023-06-dog-innate-diseases-popular.Html

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