Beagle Health Problems

The ultimate responsibility for your Beagle's health is yours. You ought to have basic knowledge about the health care of your Beagle, including worming, parasite control, vaccination, and nutrition. There are many good books about dog care out there. You should also be familiar with some important hereditary diseases that might affect your dog. Some of these disease may not reveal until the puppy becomes 6 months of age or older, other diseases occur in middle-aged dogs.

When you buy a puppy, there must be a health certificate signed by the veterinarian who has been taking care of the breeder's dogs. It is an official document. It indicates precisely which shots have been given, on what dates the next shots are due, and also when the dog or puppy was wormed.

Pulmonic Stenosis (PS) is an abnormal narrowing of the right ventricular outflow tract or stricture of the pulmonary artery. This abnormality leads to the enlargement of the right ventricle and the increase of the heart blood pressure.

Canine Wobbler Syndrome is a complex neurological disorder involving cervical spinal cord (part of spinal cord in the neck area).

Retinal Dysplasia (RD) is a congenital, local or generalized malformation in the eye that may result from trauma, a genetic defect, or damage caused by a viral infection. Most forms of retinal dysplasia in dogs are inherited.

Microphthalmia is a hereditary eye disorder characterized by abnormal smallness of the eye.

Cataracts are white opacities in the lenses of the eyes that impair vision or cause blindness.

Glaucoma is an elevation of pressure in the eyeball because an obstruction prevents fluids in the eye from flowing out. Signs of glaucoma include cloudy pupils, large pupils, and redness.

Demodicosis, also called Demodex mange, is an allergic reaction to Demodex mites. The mites are transferred directly from the mother to the puppies within the first week of life.

Intervertebral Disk Disease is a common back problem in many breeds of dogs, including Beagle. It is manifested by acute pain, loss of movement coordination and paralysis.

Prolapsed Gland of the Third Eyelid (Cherry Eye) - In this condition, the gland of the third eyelid, which produces about one-third of the tear film, prolapses as a pink fleshy mass protruding over the edge of the third eyelid. It can become inflamed and ulcerated.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a collective term comprising a group of hereditary degenerative lesions of the retina (a layer of nervous tissue which covers the back of the eyeball where the sensation of vision occurs.).

Cutaneous Asthenia is an inherited skin disorder characterized by extremely stretchy and fragile skin that tears at the slightest scratch causing scars and wounds.

Selective IgA Deficiency is an inherited immune system disorder characterized by lack or insufficient production of immunoglobulin protein that protects the body against infections.