Tibetan Terriers are generally healthy and hardy, which probably is the
result of their development in the challenging environment of Tibet with
climatic extremes. But no breed is 100% free of health problems, and unfortunately
the Tibetan Terrier is no exception to this.
If you are considering buying a Tibetan Terrier, be sure to ask every breeder
you talk to about health concerns and occurences of problems in their lines
and stay away from breeders who are not willing to supply this information.
Fortunately most breeders test all breeding stock before planning their
litters, thereby reducing the occurrence of inherited diseases. Following
are some health problems that potential owners should be aware of. |
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY:
A disease where the retina slowly deteriorates, causing eventual blindness.
One of the first symptoms of PRA is the loss of night vision. The dog cannot
see well in a dimly lit room or when it gets dark. This can appear as early
as 8 months or as late as 5 years.
Diagnosis of PRA is made by a board certified Ophthalmologist. Dogs who
are found to be clear from PRA may be registered with CERF (Canine Eye Registry
Foundation). It is recommended that dogs have their eyes examined on an
annual basis, especially if they are used for breeding. |
HIP DYSPLASIA:
Hip dysplasia is an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia
can exist with or without clinical signs which may be mild to crippling, including
lameness, difficutly walking or bunny-hop gait. Severe arthritis can develop
which results in pain as the disease progresses.
Hip Dysplasia is detected through x-rays, taken at 2 years of age. They are
submitted to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) where they are reviewed
by 3 orthopedic experts and given a rating, which may be excellent, good or
fair for passing scores. No rating means that the dog is found to be dysplastic.
Medical treatment with Aspirin, Cosequin, or corticosteroids may be beneficial.
If medical treatment is insufficient then surgical repair is possible. The best
surgical treatment for hip dypslasia is total hip replacement.
Prospective buyers should check pedigrees or ask breeders for OFA numbers prior
to purchasing a Tibetan Terrier. |
LENS LUXATION:
| involves dislocation of the lens. It may slip forward or backward and usually
causes glaucoma or pressure in the eye which may result in blindness. Surgical
removal of the lens may be necessary. |
CATARACTS:
| ... are areas on the lens that do not allow light to pass through. This
results in varying degrees of blindness. |
HYPOTHYROIDISM:
| ... is an autoimmune disease which affects many breeds. Classic symtoms
include lethargy, mental depression, weight gain and heat seeking tendencies.
After diagnosis through blood tests hypothyroid dogs are easily treated
with inexpensive thyroid pills. A marked improvement in condition is usually
seen in 2 to 4 weeks. |
PATELLAR LUXATION:
| ... is a condition where the knee caps slide in and out of place. The
milder forms require only minimal treatments, such as anti-inflammatory
therapy and restriction of exercise. Severe cases cause intense pain with
limping, and may require surgical correction. |
SEBACEOUS CYSTS:
| Some Tibetans are plagued with these. Sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands sometimes become plugged which can lead to bacterial infection.The cysts show up as little lumps under the skin. The cysts can often be opened using hot packs followed by firm pressure. If the cysts get too large it is best to have them surgically removed. |
ALLERGIES:
| Dogs can be allergic to things they come in contact with, eat or inhale. Symptoms
are very similar to human allergies, i.e. watery eyes and scratching. Probably
the number one allergic reaction among all dogs is to fleas, the flea saliva
to be more exact. |
More on our Deafness and BAER Testing page.
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