Havanese Health Problems: What You Should Know
So, you’re thinking about buying a Havanese puppy. You will
be brining one of the most rare purebred dogs in the world
into your home. There are only approximately 4,000
Havanese dogs in the United States! They have been
specially bred for their short stature, sturdiness, and long
soft hair.
However, common Havanese health problems have come from
centuries of breeding in a very small gene pool. You will
want to monitor your puppy for these Havanese health
problems so that you will enjoy your Havanese’s show-dog
looks and socialable nature for many, many years to come.
No one likes to think about it, but sometimes our beloved
pets are injured-hit by a car or bicycle. Many dog owners
are unprepared for emergencies, don’t know how to find
emergency care for their pet, and may not even have a
regular veterinarian. Arranging emergency care for your
Havanese, should it ever be needed, need not take you by
surprise.
Common Havanese health problems include cataracts,
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), dislocated kneecaps
(luxating patellas), ear infections, poodle-eye, and dry
skin. None of these problems is life threatening. Knee
problems in the Havanese lead to bow-leggedness. Cataracts
and retinal atrophy can lead to early blindness.
Poodle-eye is a harmless brown staining in the corners of
the eyes. Havanese breeders are making the effort to
maintain databases on the health defects of their dogs and
to remove dogs with eye and knee problems from their
breeding lines.
Many Havanese health problems are not inevitable. You, your
Havanese’s best friend and protector, are the first line of
defense. Watch for changes in your Havanese’s actions or
appearance. Is your previously playful Havanese, now just
lying around all day? Is your Havanese keeping the same
bowel and bladder habits? Is your Havanese eating? A
change in any of these may signal illness.
You are the first line of defense against Havanese health
problems. You should keep an eye on your Havanese and
notice any changes in behavior or appearance. An animal
that is usually lively and playful who becomes dull and
listless may be unwell. A loss of appetite or weight may
also signal illness. Regularly check your Havanese’s coat
for fleas and ticks. A mass under the skin may be a sign of
an abscessed wound and should receive prompt veterinary
care.
You should seek emergency care for your Havanese if any of
the following occur: a suspected broken limb, suspected
poisoning, trouble breathing, massive bleeding, poisoning,
or seizures. Keep your vetrinarian’s phone number on hand
for any such emergency.
Fiona Kelly is an avid lover of the Havanese and owns a
popular website that can teach you how to have a happy,
healthy and well behaved
(http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/Havanese.html)
Havanese. Among other topics there, you can also learn all
about
(http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/Havanese_Care/Havanese_health/)
Havanese Health Problems plus a whole lot more.
Powered by FireStats