Are Airedale Terriers healthy?

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which the abnormal shape of the hip or elbow joint prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an Airedale Terrier, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to dysplasia.

• Von Willebrand’s disease: Von Willebrand’s disease is caused by a deficiency or abnormal function of a protein that plays a crucial role in blood clotting. Dogs with vWD may experience prolonged bleeding after surgery or injury, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in the stool or urine. In mild cases, symptoms may not be noticeable until a surgical procedure or injury occurs. Veterinarians can diagnose vWD with blood tests. Treatments focus on managing bleeding episodes and preventing excessive bleeding during surgeries or injuries. This may involve blood transfusions, medications to stimulate clotting, and careful management of any bleeding tendencies.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA is a group of genetic diseases that affect the retina. They are progressive degenerative diseases and will eventually cause blindness in both eyes. There is no effective treatment to stop PRA.

• Umbilical hernia: This is an opening in the muscle wall near the belly button that can cause parts of the abdominal organs to become trapped and swell underneath the skin.

• Skin issues: Due to their thick, wiry coat, Airedale Terriers may suffer from skin disorders that often go undetected, though they are prone to dermatitis, “hot spots,” and allergies.

• Others: Gastric dilatation-volvulus, a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen; cancer; and hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat, are concerns in this breed. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, skin, and imaging tests.