This Health page in no way proposes that any of my dogs at Velvetblu carry these illnesses or hereditary problems and is merely for informative value.
SKELETAL ANOMALIES
Luxating patellas-a condition where the kneecaps slip out of place. This results in lameness of the hind legs. Symptoms may include limb-lifting and a hopping gait. Screening at an early age is recommended for an accurate picture, because as a dog ages environmental factors such as trauma, stress and diet can negatively influence the condition of the knee joint. In the worst cases, surgery to repair the knee is necessary.
OFA patella certification is one of the CHIC required exams for Pomeranians in other countries (a necessity we should strive for in South Africa).
Normal knees are, of course the most desirable, but Grades One and Two are more common and not unusual in toy breeds. Grades Three and Four may require surgery, sometimes early on in the dog’s life. *Full article on home page under Luxating Patella.
Although more common in larger, heavier dogs, hip dysplasia is known to sometimes occur in Pomeranians. A specific type of hip dysplasia known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is not uncommon in smaller breeds. This problem is believed to probably be inherited. Symptoms usually begin at a fairly young age, usually between 4 months and a year old. Pain and lameness can occur, and the most severe cases require surgical intervention. Hip screening for LCP is recommended (but not required). This involves an x-ray of the hips, usually done under sedation, after the age of 12 months. X-rays normal for hip dysplasia are also considered normal for LCP. Hip dysplasia is a developmental malformation or subluxation of the hip joints. This is a deformity of the coxofermoral joint. It may be characterized radio graphically by a shallow acetabulum (socket), flattening of the femoral head (ball), coxofermoral subluxation (separation), and secondary degenerative joint disease.
Elbow dysplasia - Elbow dysplasia is a general term for four abnormalities of the bones in the elbow that may develop in growing puppies. These abnormalities lead to the development of arthritis in the elbow. The four abnormalities are ununited anconeal process, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), fragmented medial coronoid process, and lack of alignment of the bones (incongruity). The abnormalities may develop individually or in any combination. These abnormalities may affect one or both elbows.
GLANDULAR DISEASES
Hypothyroidism is one of the most common problems in dogs, including Pomeranians. Lack of thyroid hormone can adversely affect every body organ and system. The thyroid gland may be underactive due to the effects of illness or some medications. A major cause of hypothyroidism, however, is autoimmune thyroiditis. This is considered to be a hereditary problem. Similar autoimmune problems (such as hemolytic anemia, diabetes and Addison's disease) may occur in members of the same family. A blood panel is used to screen for thyroiditis.
Hyposomatotropism - failure of the body growth hormones (somotometins) to develop fully. Also known as growth hormone-responsive dermatosis. (Similar symptoms to Hypothyroidism)
Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocorticism) - a disease characterized by an excess secretion of corticosteroids from the adrenal glands.
SKIN & HAIR PROBLEMS
Alopecia is a loss of coat that may occur due to other illnesses. In Pomeranians, there is a generalized coat loss condition for which no underlying disease can be found. This condition is known as "Alopecia X". A genetic factor is suspected. Research is ongoing, but there is no blood test for this condition at this time. Conscientious breeders remove affected dogs from their breeding programs. * Full article on home page under Alopecia X.
RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS
Collapsing trachea can occur with most small breeds but the Keeshonden are no exception. If your Pom makes a honking noise or sounds like he is coughing up a hairball, the problem may be his trachea. In this condition, the main breathing airways are not strong enough to remain open on their own. Difficulty is noted when breathing. Your veterinarian can assist you with medical management of this condition. Sometimes surgery is indicated. This is a serious and potentially fatal problem, and affected dogs should not be bred.
Heart problems can range from very slight to life threatening. Some are impossible to diagnose until a sudden death occurs.
Conus Septal Defect - A developmental abnormality of the right ventricle of the heart.
Mitral valve defects - a group of abnormalities of the mitral valve of the heart.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus - Failure of the normal expected closure of the ductus arteriosus (shortly after birth) between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. This channel normally transmits a major portion of fetal blood from the right ventricle to the aorta, by passing the nonfunctional fetal lungs. At birth, a patent (open) ductus arteriosus results in impaired circulation through the lungs and poorer oxygenation of the blood. This is a polygenic trait.
Pulmonary Stenosis - a narrowing of the pulmonary artery, the artery which transmits blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. This defect can cause right heart enlargement, poor oxygenation of the blood and general weakness. Many animals will go through their lives without any problems. Signs of right heart failure may occur and cause enlargement of the abdomen with fluids, weight loss, and poor exercise tolerance. This is a polygenic trait, with no sex predisposition.
Tetralogy of Fallot - a specific four-way, very serious, developmental abnormality of the structures of the heart and associated great vessels; including narrowing of the valves, thereby leading to an enlargement of the right ventricle; a hole between the left and right ventricles; and aorta dextropositioning. The pumping action of the heart is seriously compromised. There are cardiac murmurs and affected animals are oxygen starved, weak and show poor growth.. In many cases, dogs will die at a very young age or during the neonatal period. This is a hereditary Polygenic trait.
Ventricular septal defect - This is a persistence of the fetal communication between the two ventricles. It is frequently free of symptoms, although heart failure may occur. It is an abnormality (usually a hole) in the wall between the right and left ventricles (two chambers of the heart). This results in mixing oxygenated and unoxygenated blood and a pumping deficiency of the heart. Surgery is feasible at certain university institutions, but usually not required. It is a polygenic trait
Generalized Congestive Heart Failure - This is a combination of both left and right side failure. The causes are numerous: congenital cardiac anomalies, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, chronic anemia, pericardial diseases, chronic valvular diseases, infections, excessive activity with advancing age, chronic respiratory diseases, renal disease, liver diseases, endocrine disorders and more. Treatment is varied. Usually, salt restriction, exercise restriction, cardiac and respiratory drugs, and diuretics are used alone or in combination. Prevention includes regular exams, a good diet, moderate exercise, prevention of obesity, and prompt treatment of any medical problem, especially respiratory diseases.
NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS
Epilepsy Some Pomeranians have idiopathic epilepsy. Idiopathic means that we don’t know what causes it. Liver problems, kidney problems, head trauma and other reasons may cause seizures and when these are the underlying causes the condition is termed symptomatic epilepsy. Idiopathic epilepsy typically occurs between 3-7 years of age and is thought to be inherited. Seizures can be very frightening to someone who has never seen one before and can manifest in many different ways. Look at the epilepsy website to gain a better understanding of the problem.
Dental
Dental problems are common in Pomeranian and all toy breeds. Deciduous teeth ("baby teeth") may require veterinary extraction if they are retained beyond the age of six months. Excessive plaque formation and gum disease can be kept in check with periodic professional veterinary dental care. Untreated tooth and gum disease can progress quickly to bone infection and teeth can be lost. Such infection often travels to the heart where it can cause damage to the heart valves, leading eventually to heart failure, so please remember to make regular dental care a priority for your Pomeranian.
SENSORY PROBLEMS
Pomeranians, like all breeds, may suffer from hereditary eye problems. Pomeranians are known to sometimes be affected by several eye conditions including entropion (eyelids that roll inward) or distichiasis (eyelashes growing inward toward the eye). Both these conditions can cause traumatic damage to the surface of the eye, and if untreated can result in blindness.
Aberrant cilia - eyelashes growing abnormally, such as rubbing against the eyeball.
Excessive tearing - possibly due to allergies.
Juvenile Cataracts
Cataracts - as in humans, a change in structure of the lens of the eye (loss of transparency of the crystalline lens or its capsule) leading to cloudiness and usually to blindness. This is a dominant trait.
Cataract with microphthalmia - a condition where a dog has cataracts along with abnormally small eyes.
Distichiasis, Trichiasis - Eyelashes at the lid margins turn and grow inward or are misplaced on the inner margin of the lid. This results in irritation of the bulbar conjunctiva and cornea. The condition may be recognized after 5 weeks of age. Mode of inheritance - probably dominant, incomplete, penetrance.
Entropion - an inversion or turning inward of the margin of the eyelid. The lower eyelid is most commonly affected. This condition results in irritation of the cornea and conjunctiva and may predispose to secondary infections. Probably a dominant trait.
Glaucoma - An eye or ocular disease characterized by abnormally high pressure in the eye, which can result in irreversible damage to the optic disc and ocular fundus. Mode of inheritance - unknown.
Progressive retinal atrophy - A hereditary condition recognized clinically by diminished visual activity first at dusk (night blindness) and later in daylight. .There is gradual atrophy of the retinal receptor cells and progressive reduction in size of the retinal blood vessels. Cortical cataractous changes frequently appear during the course of the disease, which may be progressive over a period of months or years, always terminating in blindness. Probably recessive.
Excessive tearing - possibly due to allergies.
Juvenile Cataracts
Cataracts - as in humans, a change in structure of the lens of the eye (loss of transparency of the crystalline lens or its capsule) leading to cloudiness and usually to blindness. This is a dominant trait.
Cataract with microphthalmia - a condition where a dog has cataracts along with abnormally small eyes.
Distichiasis, Trichiasis - Eyelashes at the lid margins turn and grow inward or are misplaced on the inner margin of the lid. This results in irritation of the bulbar conjunctiva and cornea. The condition may be recognized after 5 weeks of age. Mode of inheritance - probably dominant, incomplete, penetrance.
Entropion - an inversion or turning inward of the margin of the eyelid. The lower eyelid is most commonly affected. This condition results in irritation of the cornea and conjunctiva and may predispose to secondary infections. Probably a dominant trait.
Glaucoma - An eye or ocular disease characterized by abnormally high pressure in the eye, which can result in irreversible damage to the optic disc and ocular fundus. Mode of inheritance - unknown.
Progressive retinal atrophy - A hereditary condition recognized clinically by diminished visual activity first at dusk (night blindness) and later in daylight. .There is gradual atrophy of the retinal receptor cells and progressive reduction in size of the retinal blood vessels. Cortical cataractous changes frequently appear during the course of the disease, which may be progressive over a period of months or years, always terminating in blindness. Probably recessive.
BLOOD AND IMMUNE SYSTEM
von Willebrand's Disease - a type of bleeding disorder (characterized by moderate to severe bleeding) caused by defective blood platelet function which is corrected by blood transfusion for normal dogs. There is a variable reduction in the level of both Factor VII procoagulant activity and Factor VII related antigen. An incomplete autosomal (dominant) trait affecting both sexes.
Other Problems
Hypoglycemia sometimes happens with small puppies who are very active and not taking in enough calories to meet their energy requirements. The pup may develop weakness and pale gums. Untreated, this can lead to seizures and death. If you suspect hypoglycemia, rub some Nutracal or corn syrup on the gums and consult your veterinarian immediately. Hypoglycemia in adults may be a symptom of other health problems. Your veterinarian should be consulted for further diagnostic testing if your dog becomes hypoglycemic.
Allergies - allergic reactions may be due to chemicals, parasites, food, environment, etc.
Obesity
We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.
References
** Marie-Joseẽ Vanhaelen, President of the Deutscher Spitz Club of Belgium-thank you for all the valuable information and articles provided by your kennel club for use on my website-although translation from Dutch took some time it was definitely worth it. You have given us a very broader spectrum than previously available in South Africa.