Havanese Health Problems: What To Look For
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You are serious about learning more about how to care for the Havanese puppy you wish to purchase. It may have been many years since a dog has been in your home, or perhaps this will be the first do you have ever owned, or perhaps you have never spent much time with small breeds.
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.
Do you know what you would do if needed to arrange emergency care for your Havanese? What should you do if your Havanese suffers an injury such as a broken bone? Do you know how to talk to your veterinarian about the injury?
Havanese’ tend to be long-lived and very healthy. However, you should know about common Havanese health problems that might affect your dog. Since all Havanese in the United States can trace their ancestry to one of eleven animals, genetic Havanese health problems can arise. Havanese’ are prone to displacement of leg bones (luxating patellas), genetic deafness, and eye problems. The problems are relatively rare and not fatal. Some of the leg problems with the Havanese can be corrected for surgery, but this will render the dog ineligible to compete in shows.
Luckily, Havanese breeders regularly test their stock of sires, dams and puppies for these disorders. The Havanese Club of America recommends breeders perform annual examinations of eyes, knees and hips, and hearing for their dogs. Eye test results are registered with Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and knee and hip tests with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). An honest breeder should be able to provide you with the results concerning your Havanese.
Prevention is worth many ounces of cure when it comes to Havanese health problems. You can prevent ear parasites by cleaning your Havanese’s ears once a week. (Ear mites are a particular problem for all floppy eared dog breeds-the Havanese included). You can prevent eye infections by cleaning your Havanese’s eyes once a week.
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.
Some pet owners forget to take their pet for regular veterinary checkups. Don’t do this to your new Havanese. Additionally, be sure to keep your veterinarians contact information handy in case you need emergency care for your Havanese. You can also take your Havanese to the nearest emergency pet clinic. Additionally, many pet supply super stores have an on site veterinarian
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