| 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.
Fortunately most breeders test all breeding stock before planning their
litters, thereby reducing the occurrence of inherited diseases.
Following are some health problems occuring in the breed: |
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY:
...is an inherited eye disease 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:
... 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, difficulty walking or a bunny-hop gait. Severe arthritis can develop
which results in pain as the disease progresses.
Hip Dysplasia is detected through physical examination and 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. |
LENS LUXATION:
... is an inherited eye disease that 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.
Age of onset may vary from 3 to 10 years. |
CATARACTS:
... are areas on the lens that do not allow light to pass through. This
results in varying degrees of blindness.
Primary cataracts usually appear at an early age. Secondary cataracts often develop secondary to PRA and Lens Luxation. Cataracts can also develop as a result of trauma. |
PATELLAR LUXATION:
| ... is the dislocation of the kneecap. It may slide to the inside or to the outside. It is often genetic in nature. The
milder form, where the kneecap pops back on its own, requires only minimal treatments, such as anti-inflammatory
therapy and restriction of exercise. Severe cases cause intense pain with
limping, and may require surgical correction. A veterinary examinatiion can determine if the kneejoint is stable. |
CCL - Canine Ceroid Lipofuscinosis:
... is an autosomal recessive disorder of the eyes and the nervous system. Visual abnormalities are first noticed when dogs don't see well in dim light. Pupils may be slightly dilated.
Signs of mental changes are the development of aggressiveness toward people and other dogs, nervousness and loss of both behavioral and house training. Affected dogs have mildly uncoordinated gait with occasional stumbling and crossing over. They also have difficulty going up and down stairs.
Research at the University of Missouri found a genetic marker and a test for the condition is now available through partnership with OFA. Puppies as young as 3 weeks old can be tested. |
More on our Deafness and BAER Testing page.
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