Hip Dysplasia (HD)
Is a malformation of the hip socket. This means that the bone dose not fit in the socket properly
causing wear and tear on the bones. You will see lameness and horrible pain in this genetic (hereditary) disease. X-rays are
take at age 2 or older to evaluate breeding stock to see if this disease is present. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
(OFA) then look at the x-rays and assign the individual dogs a rating as to the quality of their hips. According to OFA guidelines
the following ratings are ok for breeding stock: Excellent, Good, and Fair. Anything below these ratings means that the dog
is dysplastic. Once a dog is given a rating that dog is put into their database for reference. A preliminary x-ray can be
preformed at 1 year so as to get an idea of the condition of the hips. OFA will not put results of the hips into their database
until the dog is x-rayed at 2 yrs or older after the dog is finished growing.
More information can be found at this site
http://www.offa.org/hipinfo.html
or at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA)
Is the most comon congenital heart defect seen in dogs. The vessel that carries the blood in
neonate puppies closes immediately at birth. This disease happens when this vessel does not close at birth. This can cause
an overlaod on the left side of the heart which causes an enlargment of the left side of the heart. A bounding pulse and heart
murmur are signs of this disease. Dogs with this disease should NEVER be bred.
More information can be found at this site
http://www.stvetspecialists.com/PDA.htm
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (PRA)
It causes a breakdown of the tissues at the back of the retina causing blindness. This is a
hereditary diesease. You may see a cloudyness of the eyes resulting in cataracts. Dogs can be tested for this at local eye
clinics by certified eye specialists. Dogs with this Disease should NEVER be bred.
More information can be found at this site
http://www.netpets.com/dogs/healthspa/pra.html
or here at the CERF site
http://www.vmdb.org/history.html
or at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
SEBACEOUS ADENITIS (SA)
Is a skin disorder where the sebaceous glands do not function properly. This is displayed in
a dog as loss of hair and a silvery scaling on the back. This disease can be discovered by a skin punch test.
More information can be found at this site.
http://www.offa.org/sainfo.html
or at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
Addisons Disease
This disease is caused by the adrenal
glands not producing enough cortisone and aldosterone. Symptoms may include decreased appetite, increased thirst, vomiting,
diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss. The dog will require medication for the rest of its life. Dogs are tested for this disease
by a simple blood test. This test does not prove/disprove carrier status. The dog may test clear but could still develop the
disease later in life and may produce puppies with this disease.
More information can be found at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
Please check out this site for great info on addison's disease.
http://www.poodlehealthregistry.org/docs/Standard/PHR_Standard_Addison.html
Epilepsy
This is a serious disease that causes your
dog to have convulsions. Convulsions can be caused by many factors: injuries to the head, ingested poisons, or inherited genetic
disease. Dogs with this condition should NOT be bred, no ifs ands or buts. The treatment is anticonvulsant medication. There
is no test available for this disease.
This disease most commonly starts in dogs 2-3 years of age.
More information can be found
at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
PATELLAR LUXATION
Is where the knee cap does not fit in the groove of the leg bone properly and causes a popping
of the knee cap when the leg is bent. Some dogs with this genetic disease can be seen to limp or jerk the leg up occasionally
when running or walking. This disease can be diagnosed by your vet by preforming a simple manipulation of the knee cap. Reports
can be registered with OFA after 1 year of age. Dogs found to have luxating patellas should NOT be bred.
More information can be found at this site
http://www.offa.org/patluxinfo.html
or at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES DISEASE (LCP)
is a disorder of hip joint conformation. It is most often seen in the miniature and toy breeds
between the ages of 4 months to a year. LCP is caused when the blood supply to the femoral head is interrupted resulting in
the bone tissue dying. This is followed by a regrowth of the tissue one the bone causing the bone to not fit properly into
the hip joint. This disease is very painful to the dog. This is a genetic disorder and dogs found to have this disease should
NEVER be bred.
More information can be found at this site
http://www.offa.org/lcpgeninfo.html
or at this site
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/health.htm
