Your Portuguese Water Dog is prone to a bleeding disorder called hemophilia. This is an important test, as we may not know your pet has this disorder until severe bleeding occurs during surgery or after a serious injury. In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch.
In dogs, rather than sneeze, allergies make their skin itchy. Commonly, the feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for this condition. The medical term for pattern baldness is Follicular Dysplasia, and just like in people, it is a heritable condition.
Like baldness in humans, the condition is not painful and causes no harm, but currently there is no effective treatment or prevention. A fashionable sweater can help on cold days. Stones can form in the urinary bladder resulting in irritation and potentially obstruction. There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Portuguese Water Dogs are more likely to develop them than other breeds.
Call us immediately! There are three types of seizures in dogs: reactive, secondary, and primary. Secondary seizures are the result of a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma. If no other cause can be found, the disease is called primary, or idiopathic epilepsy. This problem is often an inherited condition, with Portuguese Water Dogs commonly afflicted. If your friend is prone to seizures, they will usually begin between six months and three years of age.
An initial diagnostic workup may help find the cause. Lifelong medication is usually necessary to help keep seizures under control, with periodic blood testing required to monitor side effects and effectiveness.
Note the length of the seizure, and call us or an emergency hospital. Underbite prognathism affects Portuguese Water Dogs more than other breeds. In this condition, the lower jaw sticks out further than the upper jaw. Most cases do not require treatment, but if the abnormally positioned teeth are digging into his mouth, chronic pain may result.
Extractions or orthodontic work may be needed. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes.
Treatment is usually simple: replacement hormones given in the form of a pill. Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs.
Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Portie live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem.
The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Portuguese Water Dog needs help. DNA testing is a rapidly advancing field with new tests constantly emerging to help in the diagnosis of inherited diseases before they can become a problem for your friend.
For the most up-to-date information on DNA and other screening tests available for your pal, visit www. Your PWD counts on you to take good care of her, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that she lives a long and healthy life.
Please contact us when you have questions or concerns. Search Lifelearn: Search Site:. Chances are that you chose her because you like Portuguese Water Dogs and you expected her to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle: Easily motivated and trainable Great with kids and other dogs: a true family pet Highly active and eager to have a purpose Hypoallergenic coat sheds very little Lively, with a friendly personality Loyal and easygoing with the people she knows However, no dog is perfect!
Roundworm egg as seen under the microscope. Normal hip x-rays. X-rays taken of a dog with hip dysplasia. Browse By Species Canine Feline. Water Dogs like to chew and should have access to several chew toys, or they will find something to chew. The dog should be brushed two to three times weekly to prevent tangles and matting. If your dog is a swims in chlorinated water. Be sure to rinse your doggie off as the chemicals will damage their fur and skin.
Brush your PWD teeth several times a week, however, brushing each day would be best. Before selecting your Portuguese Water Dog remember, this dog will require your attention. They must be exercised daily. They will appear to have an endless amount of energy.
This is a great dog to get into the pool with you or take to the beach to get wet. Get them in the water with you or walk them along the beach. A favorite treat for many Water Dogs is to retrieve a ball or stick from the water that has been thrown by their human.
They will thoroughly enjoy spending time with you. Follicular Dysplasia. It was bred to herd fish into nets, locate and retrieve lost tackle, and be a messenger for humans between ships and Shore. Portuguese Water Dogs will make a friendly and fun playmate for children.
However, their high energy may be too overwhelming for young children. Canines are wonderful. However, remember that they are animals. Never allow your young child to play with any dog without supervision. The Water Dog is a medium-sized breed, eager athletic and built for water work. There are benefits to a dog chewing rawhide. However, the risk of harm to your dog is not worth those benefits. New rawhide Get him involved in the sport of agility or advanced obedience, and play lots of vigorous fetching games.
If you're not an outdoorsy person or if you just want an undemanding pet, this is not the breed for you. When well socialized, his reaction to strangers varies from friendly to polite, but he should always remain steadfast and hold his ground. This observant breed makes a fine watchdog, but not a guardian. PWDs are strong-minded, with an independent streak and a wicked sense of humor.
Consistent leadership is a must. A natural retriever, the Portuguese Water Dog is a very mouthy dog who will pick up everything in his path, chew up both edible and inedible objects, and try to gnaw on your hands. Provide a box filled with toys so he can satisfy his oral fixation by carrying something around in his mouth. Youngsters are especially rambunctious, bore easily, and without enough attention and structured activity can excavate vast chasms in your yard.
Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. It's tempting for owners to think that all misbehaviors can be solved by training. That's not true.
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