General Health Issues
In general Poodles tend to be very healthy. Their average life expectacy is 12-15 years, although this does vary. Breeders have been careful in there breeding programs. Some of the question you should ask breeders and hereditary problems you should watch out for are:
Bloat -Gastric Torsion - This is a life threatening hereditary problem prevalent in deep chested dogs such as Standard Poodles, Dobermans, Great Danes etc. Breeders should be very aware of this problem.
Hip Dysplasia - Although it is not common in Standards it effects any breed and breeder should x-ray their stock. In mild forms the dog can live a normal life.
Sebaceous Adinidus - A skin diseases that has come to life in the last few years. Although not normally life threatening is does make the appearance of the animal unpleasant.
Spaying your dog Go to this link for a great article on spaying.
Heath Issues and Poodle - By Versatility in Poodles - This is a great site covering many health issues on Poodles. They cover the follow:
Addison's Disease-what it is, Addison's Disease FAQ, Bloat and Gastric Tortion, Bloat, recent findings, Blood Diseases (Thrombocytopenia), Canine Health Network, CERF, Canine Eye Disease, Cornell Vet Education Page, Cushing's Disease, Dental Disease, Epilepsy(1), Epilepsy-diagnosis, Ear Care, Eye Diseases, Genetic Disease Control Registry), Canine Genome Project, Genodermatosis Research Foundation, Health Tests Recommended by VIP for Standard, Miniature and Toy Poodles, Penn-Hip FAQ, Hip Dysplasia (OFA), Hip Dysplasia (info), Wind-Morgan ratings of hip dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Juvenile Renal Disease, Patellar Luxation, Sebaceous Adenitis-what it is Sebaceous Adenitis-home therapy, Understanding Genetics, Canine Genetic Diversity Project, Vaccination Schedule, Dodds Vaccination Schedule, Veterinary Medical Information
Gastric Bloat and Torsion
Copyright Ralston Purina Company. Used with permission from the Today's Breeder. Submitted by the Genetic Anomalies Committee, The Poodle Club of America, Diann Ellis, Chairperson, 1927 SE Walnut, Hillsboro, Or 97123
According to The Animal Foundation Bloat Panel, formed in 1988, the percentage of fatalities today (despite superior technology) is still around the 30% range, no better than it was in 1979. The Foundation is funding research to identify potential victims and to explore treatment and prevention of this devastation disease.
Panel members consist of veterinarians associated with the Universities of Florida, Wisconsin, Purdue, Oregon State and Ohio State Schools of Veterinary Medicine. The panel estimates that as many as 60,000 dogs annually may suffer Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV).
Symptoms
The canine stomach hangs like a hammock. When a rapid accumulation of air in the stomach (bloat) occurs, sudden movement or the pressure alone may cause the stomach to flip or twist (torsion), closing off the entrance and exit. The dog may retch but cannot dispel the gas. He may whine and pace, he feels and looks miserable. The abdomen is distended. and the dog manifests increased pain. Blood vessels collapse and pressure is put upon the organs surrounding the stomach. Internal hemorrhage and death of tissue is a possibility. Blood flow to the heart is decreased, stressing the organ. Shock is soon apparent. Immediate treatment is vital.
Physical and Environmental Factors
Theories of causes have been many, forming part of the on-going research by the bloat panel and other institutions. Owners and veterinarians originally blamed cereal-based diets, but studies at the University of Florida, Colorado State University, the University of Illinois. and Ralston Purina have shown that types of food appear to have no influence. This was backed up by years of nutritional research conducted by Purina.
One certainty is that large. deep chested breeds. such as the Akita. Bloodhound. Borzoi. Doberman Pinscher. German shepherd dog. German Shorthaired Pointer, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound and Scottish Deerhound, have a higher incidence than others. Other breeds are not immune. However the findings point toward a multitude of potential causes: stress, surgical complications, eating too fast, unrestricted activity following meals and large amounts of water consumption.
Recent studies indicate aerophagia (air swallowing), as often happens during periods of the above activities, appears to be a cause, rather than, as previously thought, gas caused by fermentation of dog foods. Other intrinsic physical factors, including abnormal motility, the shape and angle of the digestive organs, and stretching of the ligaments that hold the stomach in place are thought to have predisposing effects. There is also a possible link between bloat and calcium supplementation that causes persistent hyper gastrinemina.
The prime candidate is a deep chested, mature member of a large breed, one who is an eager eater, with a family history of bloat. Other factors, such as age and weight, also have an influence. More cases are responded between April and August. The season when dogs are likely to be more active and to consume more water.
Treatment
Boat treatment is threefold: diagnose, correct, and prevent recurrence. Dr. Thomas Greiner. a board certified veterinary surgeon, of Oak Knoll Animal Hospital, Ltd.. Molin, Illinois has performed more than a hundred cases of GDV surgery. If an attempt to pass the flexible plastic tube into the stomach to relieve gas pressure is unsuccessful, he prepares the patient for surgery.
Dr. Greiner says, 'We like to we the patient within the first couple hours. After that time. we often have trouble. such as loss of blood supply for long periods of time which could lead to a 'dead" stomach. One of the biggest problems with these cases is cardiac arrhythmia.
His first steps are to relieve the pressure with insertion of a large-gauge needle into the stomach (trocarization), to begin combating shock with intravenous fluid therapy and to stabilize the heart. When. the stomach has twisted. the only recourse is surgery.
The heart rate is carefully monitored while the surgeon corrects the abnormal stomach position and permanently attaches it to the abdominal wall (or a rib) to prevent twisting. Another method is to insert a drain tube from the stomach through the abdominal wall, creating scar tissue. Ideally, all of this should occur as swiftly as possible. When diagnosis is delayed, additional damage to the heart, spleen or stomach may occur. Occasionally, the lack of blood supply causes tissue necrosis in a portion of the stomach, and it is necessary to remove the dead tissue.
Post-surgical monitoring for complications up to five days is critical. If there is more tissue damage than is visible at the time of surgery, the stomach may rupture, dumping bacterial contaminated contents into the abdomen, causing potentially fatal peritonitis.
In addition, tissues which may have been starved for blood can suffer reperfusion injury, severe damage due to release of toxic materials from cells when they're reintroduced to oxygen-rich blood. To overcome this, University of Purdue veterinarian Gary Lantz has been testing two drugs which block these toxins.
A small amount of water may be given 24 hours following surgery, and if this is tolerated. food is slowly introduced, starting with a highly digestible, low-residue diet such as CNM En formula. During the reintroduction of solid food, drugs may also be used to ensure food moves out of the stomach in a timely fashion.
New Findings and Research
Through the Veterinary Medical Data Program database at Purdue, Dr. Lawrence Gleckman, an epidemiologist at the University, is studying torsion cases over a ten-year period. Statistics regarding age, sex, breed, weight, chest circumference and genetic background of more than one million dogs can help the panel find common physical characteristics. The study also covers environmental effects, such as diet, stress, exercise, and treatment of the patient.
Since the survival rate has not increased during the past decade, the conclusion of the panel is that studies must be directed at identifying the high-risk dog and preventing the disease. Dr. Colin Burrows, veterinarian at the University of Florida and member of the bloat panel, is looking into the possibility of electrogastrography as a non-invasive technique to identify potential victims by monitoring the muscle electrical activity.
For now your best plan for dealing with bloat is knowing when to feed and how. Learn the signs, talk to your veterinarian and follow the basic precautions. With a little preparation. You can be ready to handle this cruel twist in a dog's life.
Be Prepared
It could save your dog's life.
Bloat and Torsion Prevention (What to look for. What to do.)
While no breed is free from risk, large, deep-chested breeds have a higher incidence of bloat. Other factors like age, eager eating, heritage, and obesity can contribute to this malady.
Statistics have shown that all giant arid large breeds, as well as smaller animals with deep chests, such as Basset Hounds and Dachsunds, are susceptible to bloat. To decrease the chances of your dog becoming a victim, follow the advice of the experts:
Owners of high-risk individuals and
members of large breeds should discuss the possibility of bloat with their
veterinarians. Obtain the number of a veterinary surgeon who is experienced
with treatment of torsion and who has a high success record. Ascertain whether
preventive surgery, that is stomach "tacking" is to be performed.
If your pet has increased borborygmus
(stomach noises) or flatulence, discuss antacids with your veterinarian.
Do not allow your pet to become
overweight.
Do not feed your dog immediately
before or after stressful situations or vigorous exercise. Allow one hour
before and after activity for relaxation. Walking, however. is acceptable.
Exercise particular care during
stressful situations. i.e., showing, breeding, pregnancy, boarding, working,
illness and post-surgical.
Feed two or three small meals a day,
rather than one large meal. Feed the dog at a time when someone is home to
observe behavior.
Be alert to symptoms: abdominal
swelling and unproductive vomiting. Signs that your dog is in discomfort also
signal an alarm-anxiety, whining, pacing, groaning, inability to find a
comfortable position.
Contact a veterinarian immediately.
Time is critical.
Limit water intake after meals,
particularly if the dog regularly drinks large quantities of water.
Make dietary changes gradually-
Take predisposition shown by
particular bloodlines into consideration when planning breeding programs.
Take special care of animals with a
past history of GDV. They are at increased risk.
Give your pet a non-stressful
atmosphere to enjoy his meal, with no other animal threatening to steal his
food. We don't have to furnish piano music and candles - crating can provide
the perfect ambiance.