Like all purebred dogs, poodles are subject to some genetic weaknesses.
As breeders carefully mate the animals to pass along the traits
they are trying to achieve, unwanted traits are often passed along
as well. Part of good poodle care is knowing the main health concerns
facing your poodle and being ready to address them.
There are three sizes of poodle. The standard poodle stands taller
than fifteen inches at the shoulder. The miniature poodle stands
taller than ten inches, but no higher than fifteen inches. The
toy poodle stands less than ten inches at the shoulder. In the
case of very tiny poodles, such as the teacup poodle, much less.
Because the health problems do not affect all sizes equally,
it will be noted in parentheses which poodles are most vulnerable
to which problems.
Addison's Disease (standard)
A potentially lethal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands
fail to produce enough hormones. Because adrenal hormones regulate
so many bodily functions, the symptoms are often vague. They include
weakness, decreased appetite with weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Because potassium is affected by this disease, the poodle may
go into crisis and suffer a fatal heart attack. Once diagnosed,
the dog can be treated with hormones injected monthly.
Epilepsy (miniature and toy)
A seizure disorder which can be controlled by medications.
Hip Dysplasia (standard and miniature)
Occurs when the head of the femur does not fit properly into
the hip socket. This condition causes pain and lameness. It can
be treated with analgesics (pain killers) and surgery
Hypothyroidism (standard, miniature, toy)
Occurs when the thyroid gland is under-active. Symptoms may include
weight gain, sluggishness, a brittle coat, and heart arrhythmias.
Can be treated with medication.
Legg Calve-Perthes (miniature and toy)
This occurs when the "head" or top of the femur, the
long bone in the poodle's back legs becomes weakened. The poodle
may limp or become irritable from pain. Some animals recover spontaneously,
others require surgery to remove the head of the femur.
Patella Sub-luxation (miniature and toy)
This occurs when the kneecap pops in and out of the groove where
it should be held in place by ligaments. Owners may notice the
dog favoring one of its front legs until the kneecap pops back
into place. This problem can be surgically corrected.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (standard, miniature, and toy).
Also known as PRA, progressive retinal atrophy occurs when the
retinas, located in the eyes, do not receive enough blood. Blindness
is the result. PRA usually strikes when the poodle is around five
or six. There is no cure.
Sebaceous Adenitis (standard)
This is a chronic skin problem that occurs when the sebaceous
glands are abnormal or sometimes altogether absent. Symptoms include
hair loss, a scaly look to the skin, and multiple skin infections.
The treatment includes therapeutic baths as well as antibiotics
to treat the infections.
Undescended Testicles (miniature and toy)
Occurs when the male dog's testicles are trapped in the abdominal
cavity. This condition can sometimes be treated with hormone shots.
If the testicles do not descend, they must be removed due to an
increased risk of becoming cancerous.
Von Willenbrands (standard)
A bleeding disorder much like hemophilia.
With all these health concerns inherent to the poodle, good poodle
care means regular visits to the vet. It is important that you
know how
to choose a vet for your poodle.
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