Fortunately, many serious illnesses are uncommon in Weimaraners, including most cancers, heart disease, diabetes, diseases causing blindness, and hip dysplasia. However, as a breed, Weimaraners are prone to a few health issues including bloat, low thyroid, mast cell tumors, poor bites, eyelid and eyelash disorders, and especially, auto-immune reactions that are often linked to vaccination.
BLOAT
Bloat
is a medical emergency in which the dog's stomach distends with air and
gas. This condition requires immediate veterinary care where a tube can
be inserted into the dog's stomach to relieve the pressure. This distention
alone can be enough to cause shock and death, however, in some cases the
distended stomach twists on its longitudinal axis, blocking off circulation
to vital organs. The result is gastric torsion - a life-threatening condition
that requires emergency surgery.
The
official name for bloat is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, where gastric
refers to the stomach, dilatation refers to the distention and volvulus
refers to the torsion. Bloat is a possibility in all breeds but is far
more common in deep-chested breeds such as Weimaraners.
Bloats
presents as an obvious, visible, swelling on the left side of its abdomen.
The swelling is very firm to touch and the dog is stressed and in obvious
pain. The dog may lie in the 'praying' position with both forelegs stretched
fully forward or may vocalize and thrash and throw itself about to relieve
the discomfort.
Bloat requires immediate, rapid, transport to a veterinarian where clinical
diagnosis can be confirmed with X-Rays. Any delay in obtaining treatment
increases the severity of shock and reduces the likelihood of survival.
There
are many theories as to what causes bloat and how to prevent it, with
no definitive research to date. Some of the factors thought to increase
the likelihood of bloat are inherited tendencies, drinking large quantities
of water after exercise, a diet of dry kibble, and vigorous exercise after
eating.
AUTO-IMMUNE
DISEASES
Weimaraners
as a breed are prone to Auto-Immune Diseases of various types, conditions in which the
dog's immune system mistakenly considers its own tissues to be foreign
and turns on itself. The presentation can include some or all of the following:
fever, hives, swollen lymph nodes, hot ears, hot feet, reduced appetite,
food allergies, skin allergies, red skin, and frequent vomiting of bile.
It may also cause a condition in puppies called HOD, or Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
that is characterized by painful, swollen joints, lameness, fever and
lethargy, often occurring within days or weeks of vaccination or a condition called MMM, or Masticatory Muscle Myositis, that is characterized by stiffness and pain on opening of the jaw.
Auto-Immune
Disease is thought to be most commonly triggered in Weimaraners by stressful
events and/or vaccination reactions. The Weimaraner Club of America has made a recommendation for a vaccine protocol that minimizes vaccinations and avoids giving vaccinations during the 12-16 week of age period.
Treatment
of auto-immune disease requires ongoing care by a veterinarian who is
well versed in these conditions in Weimaraners. Meedical treatment with steroidal or
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics may be necessary.
EYELID
AND EYELASH DISORDERS
There are numerous eyelid and eyelash disorders that are common in the
Weimaraner breed.
EYELID
DISORDERS
Both
entropion, inward rolling of the eyelids, and ectropion, outward rolling
of the eyelids, are fairly common abnormalities. Although entropion
and ectropion are hereditary disorders in many breeds, their mode of inheritance
is complex. No one gene controls the development of eyelid conformation.
Instead, it is a combination of genes that control eyelid size and shape,
depth of the orbit (eye socket), size and shape of the eyes, head conformation
and amount of facial skin. All of these genes work in concert to determine
the relationship of the eyelids to the eye.
Ectropion, unless very pronounced, does not lead to severe diseases of
the eye itself. However, the droopy eyelid may collect debris such as
dust, pollen and plant material from the environment. This may cause ocular
irritation that leads to discharge and a red eye. This is particularly
pronounced in hunting dogs or dogs that are outdoors much of the time.Because
of increased exposure of the eye, dogs with ectropion are prone to develop
allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis - inflammation of the thin membrane
that covers the periphery of the surface of the eye and lines the eyelids.
Affected dogs may develop 'dry eye' due to lost ability to wet and clean
the cornea. In addition to the sagging of the eyelids, dogs with ectropion
commonly have a discharge in the eye, reddening of the exposed conjunctiva,
and decreased tear production.
Entropion
is frequently is a cause of ocular pain and corneal damage, particularly
if the eyelid is rolled inward sufficiently so that the hairs of the eyelid
rub on the eye. Entropion most commonly affects the lower eyelid the lower
lid.
The problem is usually evident before a year of age. Discomfort from entropion
will cause increased tearing and squinting. The dog may be sensitive to
light and may rub at its eyes. Chronic irritation by the turned-in eyelid
may cause corneal ulceration and scarring which is painful and, if not
corrected, can impair vision. The inrolling of the eyelid(s) is readily
apparent on visual inspection. Generally both eyes are affected. The veterinarian
will use of topical ophthalmic anaesthetic to anaesthetize the cornea
and conjunctiva in order to fully evaluate the problem prior to surgical
correction. If possible it is best to do a temporary tack with a few sutures to provide comfort and prevent corneal scarring but to delay corrective surgery until the dog is an
adult since the involved facial structures are still growing and changing.
EYELASH
DISORDERS
The
Weimaraner breed is prone to several types of eyelash abnormalities -
distichiasis, trichiasis, and ectopic cilia. With any of these disorders,
the clinical signs relate to irritation of the cornea (the surface of
the eye) by extra or abnormally placed eyelashes. The degree of discomfort
varies greatly, depending on the number of abnormal cilia, and whether
the eyelashes are very fine or coarse. The mode of inheritance has not
been established. Often the extra eyelashes are very soft and fine, and
cause no problems. However if there is reduced tear production or if the
hairs are coarse and stiff, you will likely see signs of irritation such
as reddening of the conjunctiva (the inside of the lid), excessive tearing,
and squinting. Your dog may paw or rub the eyes. Corneal ulceration may
occur, and this will increase the dog's discomfort. Ectopic cilia are
particularly irritating and likely to cause corneal ulcers. Very bright
light and magnification are required to see the extra eyelashes. Cryosurgery
is the most effective treatment for severeeyelash disorders.
MAST CELL TUMORS
Mast cell tumors are a skin tumor that is histamine sensitive. In this condition, variable sized lumps arise in the skin and their size can go up and down depending on the levels of circulating histamine in the body. Diagnosis is made by biopsy with excision sometimes recommended. While in some breeds this condition is rapidly lethal, in Weimaraners it is a far less serious affliction and rarely affects the life span or life quality of the dog. The genetics are unknown.
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