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Common health concerns in Irish Setters
The Irish Setter is prone to the following
major health conditions:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Progressive
Retinal Atrophy is a group of genetic
diseases seen in certain breeds of dogs
and, more rarely, cats. It is characterized
by the bilateral degeneration of the retina,
causing progressive vision loss culminating
in blindness. The condition in nearly
all breeds is inherited as an autosomal
recessive trait, with the exception of
the Siberian Husky and the Bullmastiff.
There is no treatment.
Canine Hip Dysplasia - Hip dysplasia
is an abnormal formation of the hip socket
that, in its more severe form, can eventually
cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis
of the joints. It is a polygenic trait,
that is affected by environmental factors
in the production of the final phenotype.
It can be found in many animals and occasionally
in humans, but is most commonly associated
with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds,
particularly the larger breeds.
Gastric Torsion - Gastric Torsion is
a medical condition in which the stomach
becomes overstretched by excessive gas
content. It is also commonly referred
to as bloat, gastric torsion, and gastric
dilatation-volvulus (GDV) when the stomach
is also twisted.
The Irish Setter is prone to the following
minor health conditions:
Megaesophagus - Megaesophagus is paralysis
and enlagement of the esophagus, resulting
in regurgitation of food.
Panosteitis - Panosteitis is a common
bone disease in dogs. It manifests with
sudden, otherwise unexplained pain and
lameness sometimes shifting from leg to
leg, usually between 5 and 14 months of
age.
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy - Hypertrophic
Osteodystrophy is inflammation of the
bone growth plates during periods of rapid
growth common in large breeds, resulting
in lameness.
Osteosarcoma - Osteosarcoma is a malignant
bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is common in
large breed dogs.
Hypothyroidisim - Hypothyroidism is a
condition in which the thyroid gland does
not make enough thyroid hormone. Early
symptoms: Being more sensitive to cold;
Constipation; Depression; Fatigue or feeling
slowed down.
The Irish Setter occasionally has
problems with the following health conditions:
Osteochondritis Dissecans - Osteochondritis
Dissecans is a joint disorder in which
cracks form in the articular cartilage
and the underlying subchondral bone. Osteochondritis
Dissecans usually causes pain and swelling
of the affected joint which catches and
locks during movement.
Epilepsy - Epilepsy is a common chronic
neurological disorder characterized by
recurrent unprovoked seizures. These seizures
are transient signs or symptoms of abnormal,
excessive or synchronous neuronal activity
in the brain.
Hemophilia - Hemophilia is a deficiency
in clotting factor VIII leading to excessive
bleeding.
About the Author:
Logan Winters is a long time dog lover,
owner and trainer from Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net
. Dog Pound contains educational articles
and gifts for Dog Lovers. Logan also occasionally
guest writes for Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net.
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