Poodle Health Issues 2024 – Discussed Issues and Solution

poodle Health

If your poodle is suffering from health issues or you want to study them, then you are at the right place. Moreover, studying poodles’ health issues is important before adopting them.

Poodles are very smart and intelligent but like other breed dogs, they suffer from many health issues. These issues are important to acknowledge because they save your poodle from many life-threatening diseases. Let us discuss their health issues, symptoms, and treatment in detail.

Common Poodle Health Issues

Bloat

Bloat is the most common stomach disease in poodles. In this disease, the stomach rotates about 180 degrees, cutting off its blood supply and trapping a gas inside it. This disease is also called gastric dilation or volvulus. In gastric dilation or volvulus, the pressure inside the stomach increases resulting in the expansion of the stomach.

Bloat is the most common stomach disease in poodles. In this disease, the stomach rotates about 180 degrees, cutting off its blood supply and trapping a gas inside it. This disease is also called gastric dilation or volvulus. In gastric dilation or volvulus, the pressure inside the stomach increases resulting in the expansion of the stomach.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Sudden distress
  • Expanded stomach
  • Pacing and panting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Restlessness
  • Vomiting motions 

Treatments or preventions of this poodle health issue to cure this disease are as follows:

Gastropexy

Gastropexy is a proactive laparoscopic procedure. In this method, the poodle’s stomach is permanently attached to the abdominal wall resulting in no twisting of the stomach thus preventing gastric dilation or volvulus.

Canned and dry food

Canned and dry food both decrease the risk of bloat. Moreover, these foods contain a large amount of nutrients and are less hydrated. It is recommended to give this meal 2 times a day.

Probiotics

If your poodle is suffering from diarrhea, constipation, or any other digestive disease, then probiotics are recommended. Probiotics combat the harmful bacteria that disturb the digestive system and increase nutrient absorption from the food.

Limit running and larger meals

Excessive running after a meal results in the twisting of the stomach while large meals cause your poodle to be obese and increase the risk of bloat. So, limit excessive exercise and larger meals.

Hip Dysplasia

There are many poodle health issues and one of them is hip dysplasia. It is a type of disease in which the hip and socket joints are not aligned correctly. This disease occurs in young poodles at the age of about 5 – 6 months, so prevent your young poodles by doing difficult exercises. However, aged poodles are disaffected by this disease.  

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Bunny hopping
  • Muscle loss
  • Decreased activity
  • Lethargy 
  • Lameness
  • Painful hips
  • Walking issues
  • Only using front legs to stand up
  • Limping

Treatment

Treatment of this disease depends on the condition of hip dysplasia. If the disease is milder then proper medication, weight reduction, and bed rest are required. Anti-inflammatories, joint supplements, and sometimes X-rays are also used in the treatment of this disease. In severe conditions, surgery is the only left option.

Addison’s Disease

It is a type of adrenal gland disease in which the disease decreases the production of corticosteroid hormone from the poodle adrenal gland. Corticosteroid hormone helps the poodle to manage stressful situations. Less production of hormones may be fatal for your poodle even a bit of stress leads to the death of your poodle.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Vomiting
  • Canine diarrhoea
  • Lethargy and depression
  • Lack of appetite
  • Dehydration or excessive thirst
  • Shaking
  • Slow heart rate
  • Anxiety.
  • Digestive issues.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Hypoglycemia.

Treatment

Treatment of this disease requires proper medication. Although no proper treatment is available to cure this disease. Oral medication is provided by doctors to help toy, miniature, standard, and Moyen poodles produce a normal amount of hormones. It is recommended to give proper treatment if your poodle is suffering from any above symptoms. 

Sebaceous Adenitis

There are many poodle health issues and one of them is Sebaceous Adenitis. It is a type of skin disease that is less common in humans but found more in poodles. This disease results in the destruction or inflammation of the sebaceous gland. The role of this gland is to produce sebum to lubricate skin and kill microorganisms. This disease is most common in standard poodles and less in toy or miniature poodles.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Hair loss
  • Mild skin scales
  • Scarring in the skin
  • Lesions
  • Flaking
  • Thickening of the skin

Treatment

Treatment of this poodle health issue is not perfectly known. Oil shampoos and sprays only reduce the symptoms, not terminate them. Vitamin A supplements are also used in the treatment of this disease but it is recommended to use these supplements only on doctors advice. 

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common disease of the central nervous system in poodles. It causes seizures in your poodles. The poodle feels confused, and anxious and doesn’t know what is going on around him. The sight of seizure dogs also looks terrifying.

When you see that your poodle is suffering from a seizure, remain calm and turn off all the lights around your poodle. Don’t try to handle him as he may bite you. Record the time interval of seizures. When seizures end, take your poodle to the animal doctor and tell him about the situation.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Drooling
  • Walking back and forth
  • Stiff limbs
  • Unresponsive or confused behavior
  • Staring absently
  • Pacing.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Strange movements.

Treatment

Treatment of this disease requires proper medication. However, there is no proper treatment to cure poodles from this disease. Phenobarbital, Imepetoin, Dilantin, and Primidone are prescribing by Vet in such cases for the treatment of this disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

It is a type of eye disease in which photoreceptors of the eye are destroyed, and retina atrophy occurs. This disease occurs due to gene mutation. This disease affects both eyes and leads to blindness. It is a hereditary disease and is found in all standard, miniature, Moyen, and toy poodles.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • The dog bumping into things when they’re in a darkened room
  • Blindness
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Reluctance to walk downstairs
  • Dilated pupils
  • Night vision problems

Treatment

There is no proper treatment for this disease. However, antioxidant supplements are used in the treatment of this disease. It is recommended to give these supplements to your poodle only on doctors’ advice. These supplements only slow down the disease. In a friendly environment, the survival of poodles increases.

Watch Video: Understanding Common Health Issues in Poodles What Pet Owners Should Know

Common Health Issues of Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles

Von Willebrand’s Disease

This disease is found in standard, miniature, and toy poodles. In this disease, poodles are not able to blood clot properly. In this way, mild cuts can’t be controlled leading to the death of the poodle. The disease has 3 types. The first type is common while the other two are rare. The first one is also called as VWD trait.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Nose bleeds
  • Bleeding from the gums
  • Excessive bleeding during heat 
  • Blood in the urine or stool
  • Blood from intestinal tracts
  • Blood from mouth

Treatment

There is no proper treatment for this disease. During minute cases, blood can be controlled by applying a little bit of pressure but in severe conditions, there is no procedure to control bleeding. Some people use thyroxine supplements to cure this disease. However, do not use any supplements without a doctor’s recommendation. 

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

It is a type of degenerative disease that mostly occurs in young poodles such as in miniature and toy poodles. In this disease, degeneration occurs in the bone ends of the hips. It mostly occurs in male poodles as compared to females (4:3). It stops the blood supply to bones which leads to serious health issues.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Inability to bear weight
  • Affected limb and hind limb
  • Reduced hip joint movement
  • Lack of muscle mass
  • Discomfort
  • Weakness
  • Lameness
  • Shorter leg as compared to others

Treatment

Treatment of this disease is available. If the disease is mild then proper bed rest for 6 – 7 months is recommended by the doctors. However, if the disease is acute then surgery is performed to remove the femoral head. This disease mostly occurs in young that why hip replacement surgery is not performed. This surgery may be performed with old poodles. 

Some Health Issues in Moyen Problems

There are many health problems associated with Moyen poodles. The most common disease is the genetic disease. However some are inherited diseases, transfer from parents to parents.

Moreover, allergies to the skin, runny eyes, ear infections, diabetes, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, heart disease, and MHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) are also common. In these cases, consult your animal doctors for proper treatment. Otherwise, surgery is performed in many cases.

Hypothyroidism

It is a disease of the endocrine system mostly found in Moyen poodles.

 in which the abnormal endocrine system releases a hormone called thyroxine that affects the thyroid gland and all parts of the body.

However, thyroxine is important to maintain metabolism but its decreased production (called hypothyroidism) or increased production (called hyperthyroidism) is very dangerous. The thyroid gland also plays an important role in the functioning of the heart and liver. Consult first with Vet Specialist before giving any medication.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Tiredness
  • Hair loss
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Weight gain
  • Puffy face
  • Hoarse voice
  • Ear infections
  • Obesity
  • Excessive hunger
  • Itching
  • More sensitivity to cold
  • Irregular heat cycles
  • Coarse hair and skin

Treatment

Treatment of this disease is to balance the secretion of the thyroid gland. For this purpose, hormones supplements are also used but it is recommended not to use supplements without doctors advice. Its treatment is necessary because the thyroid gland is also important for the liver and heart.

Diabetes Mellitus

It is the most common disease found in Moyen poodles. It is due to the abnormal function of the pancreas. When enough insulin is not produced to equalize the amount of glucose or some insulin is produced the dog’s body is not able to utilize it so, the level of glucose in the dog’s body increases which leads to diabetes mellitus. In a normal body, glucose and insulin are antagonistic to each other.

Symptoms of the disease are as follows:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Vomiting
  • Cataracts
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Seizures
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite

Treatment

There are many ways to control this disease but it is not possible to eliminate it. Many doctors suggest poodle owners give them food that contains large amounts of proteins and carbohydrates. In some cases, insulin injections are recommended to control the level of glucose in the body. Consult first with Vet Specialist before giving any medication.

Role of Food in Poodle Health

Food plays a very important role in poodles’ health. When you bring a poodle to your home, make sure that the food you bought for him is correct. When you give poodles proper food, poodles remain safe from many serious diseases.

The food containing a large amount of proteins is beneficial. However, a proper supply of protein food to poodles is necessary. Proteins play an important role in a poodle’s health as many organs require proteins to work. 

If proper protein is not provided to dogs, then they suffer from health issues such as weakness, hair loss, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and fungal infections

Carbohydrates in food provide energy to poodles. If proper carbohydrates are not provided to poodles then they become weak and are not able to perform many tasks. Fats provide insulation to dogs. Deficiency of fats results in abnormal brain development and the immune system

Role of Vitamins 

Vitamins play an important role in poodles’ health. They are essential for vision, nerve function, collagen production, skin health, energy production, bone health, and immune function regulation.

If your poodle is suffering from some vitamin deficiency, then multivitamins are the solution to this problem. Vitamin deficiency leads to many health problems because they are playing an essential role in a poodle’s life.

Deficiency of vitamins results in:

  • Hair loss
  • Skin problem
  • Allergies
  • Eye problems

Tips to Make Your Poodles Healthy

Daily Walks

Daily walks are essential for a poodle’s health. They require a daily walk that lasts for about 1 to 2 hours. This not only makes them physically fit but also socializes them. Daily walks also reduce the risk of diabetes mellitus and many more diseases. If you have free time, take your poodles for evening walks, also.

Avoid Overfeeding

Overfeeding is one of the major common causes of poodle diseases. When excessive food is given to poodles, the excess calories that are stored as fat lead to obesity. Obesity increases the rate of diabetes, hypertension, respiratory problems, heart diseases, joint problems, osteoarthritis, and stomach problems. These diseases are very dangerous for your poodle’s life.

It is recommended to give a portion of proper food to poodles, not excessive, which leads to a shorter lifespan. Give them food that contains all the nutrients that are essential for them. You can take a guide from a professional about the quantity of poodles food.

Conclusion

As poodles are very special pets so it is important to acknowledge all the health issues and their treatments to save a poodle’s life. As a pet owner, it is essential for you to take care of your poodle’s health so that you never feel discomfort.

Try to give proper food to your poodle including all the essential nutrients. Make a regular check-up and training sessions for your poodle. I hope you will get a piece of complete information about poodle health issues. Give your poodle the best care.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, poodles mainly suffer from diseases that are transferred to them from their parents. These diseases include hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, Addison’s disease, and many more. 

The leading cause of death in standard poodles is cancer. Uncontrolled division of cells is called cancer. Other diseases include bloat, epilepsy, and heart disease.

No, poodles don’t need high maintenance, they need proper maintenance which is not quite difficult. 

The most common diseases are a bloat, hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, sebaceous adenitis, epilepsy, and progressive retinal atrophy. 

Standard poodles remain alone without any anxiety and hesitation while toy, miniature, and moyen poodles don’t stay alone. They feel anxious and start barking spontaneously.

Poodles have a friendly temperament. They are very smart and intelligent. They always tend to make their owners happy, but positive and regular grooming is required. They are social and environment-friendly animals.

Yes, sebaceous adenitis is a type of skin disease that is less common in humans but found more in a poodle. This disease results in the destruction of the sebaceous gland. The effects of this disease include lethargy and weight loss.

Yes, poodles suffer from many stomach issues. One of them is a bloat in which gas is stored in the poodle’s stomach. It results in pain and in severe conditions leads to death. 

Yes, poodles are very loyal pets. They always tend to make their owners happy.