Beagle health issues are a big problem for most beagle owners and people who want to get a new beagle. In this article, we will talk about the most popular beagle health issues.
Beagles are actually among the most popular breeds of dogs used as pets. They were selectively bred to hunt small games like hares, rabbits, foxes, and birds.
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What are Beagle Health Issues?
Here are the common health issues associated with beagles:
Cherry eye
Cherry eye is a health condition in dogs where a gland that controls one of the three eyelids slips out of place or prolapses to cause a reddish color material to cover some part of the eye.
The major function of this gland is to produce tears, this makes them uncomfortable and they keep pawing at their eye even when it might not be painful.
Causes of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Here are some causes of a cherry eye in dogs, even though it has not been completely understood;
- Congenital weakness in the gland’s attachment.
- Everted cartilage in the third eyelid.
- Abnormal cells in the third eyelid.
- Prolapse of fat in your dog’s eye
Sign of Cherry Eye in Dogs
Here are some signs of cherry eye in dogs to look out for:
- Constant pawing at the eye.
- large mass covering a significant portion of the eye.
- The prolapsed gland will appear as a reddish swollen mass on the lower eyelid.
Treatment of cherry eye
Treatment of cherry eye depends on how severe the case is;
- For mild cases you can use topical anti-inflammatory drugs which can be very effective in reducing the swelling of the gland.
- For severe cases you require surgical intervention which an attempt is made to replace the gland in its original position. Surgical cases that do not require removal, the gland will return to normal within a few weeks.
- Visit the vet before things becomes too bad as the are no proven ways of stopping cherry eye in dogs.
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Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a malfunction of a beagle thyroid gland that can severely affect the dog’s metabolism. It can develop at any age, but is most common in older dogs.
Cause of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disorder in older dogs.
Signs of Hypothyroidism in Beagles
Here are the symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Beagles;
- Dull coat
- Hair loss
- Lethargy
- Extreme intolerance for cold weather
- Weight gain
- Chronic skin disorders
Treatment of Hypothyroidism in Beagles
Hypothyroidism can be treated with a daily thyroid hormone supplement such as levothyroxine sodium.
However, you still need to see your vet for further treatment and complete treatment.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irriatable bowel syndrome is an Intestinal disorders which causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation in beagles.
The causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not well understood. Diagnosis is often made on the basis of symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms
- Small amount of feces
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Excessive gas and bloating
See your vet for treatment.
Chondrodystrophy
Chondrodystrophy also known as dwarfism is a genetic disorder caused poor development of cartilage.
Symptoms of Chondrodystrophy
- Back pain
- Back stiffness
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Paralysis
- Abnormal reflexes
- Reluctance to rise
- Impaired urination
Bladder Cancer
The most common bladder tumor in dogs is a malignant tumor called transitional cell carcinoma. This cancer usually develops from the inner surface of the dog’s bladder.
Signs of Bladder Cancer
- Difficult breathing
- Increased frequency of urination
- Blood in the Beagle’s urine
- Straining to urinate
See your vet for treatment procedures.
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Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy also known as arrhythmia is a health condition that most times causes the fast beaten or which makes the heart beat erratically.
Signs of Cardiomyopathy
There are three basic symptoms;
- Total break down after a little exercise.
- Fainting upon little exercise.
- Unnecessary coughing.
See your vet for proper treatment with some anti-arrhythmic medications.
Anal Gland Tumors
These glands are located around the dog’s anus, at the base of the tail, and around the male genitals.
Perianal gland tumors are common and common in neutered male dogs, even though female dogs can be affected.
These tumors depend on testosterone and often disappear in men after castration.
Perianal tumor is malignant (rapidly growing) in less than 5% of cases.
Signs and Treatment
The first sign is a lump near the beagle’s anal gland, which can make the area red.
Your vet will do an ultrasound, blood tests, and urinalysis.
Often it is painless, but can cause a sensation that causes the hunting dog to lick the area.
The most common treatment is surgery and sometimes followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
Puppy Pyoderma
Puppy pyoderma is a skin condition that looks like a mild pimple on the stomach but is actually a bacterial infection.
Puppy pyoderma is always treated with a medicated shampoo and simple antibiotics.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye problem that affects Beagles when there is too much pressure on the inner eye.
This pressure is caused by a stretching of the eye due to extra liquid called aqueous humor.
Symptoms of Glaucoma in Beagles
- Tearing
- Appearance of vessels in the white of the eye.
- Squinting
- Bulging/swollen eye
- Cloudy cornea
Treatment of Glaucoma in Beagles
Glaucoma can be treated with medication such as eye drops or in severe cases can be treated with surgery.
Other Health Issues Associated with Beagles
Here are some health challenges associated with beagles;
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Ear Infections
- Distichiasis
- Obesity
- Chinese Beagle Syndrome (CBS)
- Diabetes
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
- Central progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA)
- Patellar luxation
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Older beagle health issues
Here are the health issues associated with older beagles;
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Allergies
- kidney problem
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Cancer
Beagle Sick Symptoms
Here is the list of symptoms associated with a sick beagle;
- Hair loss
- Increased urination
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Hematuria
- Gastroenteritis
- Forelimb lameness
- Seizure
- Anxiety
- Lethargy
- Poor hair growth
- Dragging of the back legs
- Limping of any kind
- Shivering
- Refusal to get up and play
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