Are Sheepadoodles healthy dogs?
Sheepadoodles are generally considered to be healthy dogs, but your veterinarian can help you keep an eye out for possible health problems. Health issues that affect both Old English Sheepdogs and Poodles are more likely to affect this breed. Some potential health problems include:
- Cushing’s disease: Cushing’s disease is a prominent medical condition for Poodles, which causes symptoms such as an increase in appetite, increase water consumption, lethargy, skin infections, and hyperpigmentation. Consult your vet about any concerning symptoms or behavior changes.
- 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 either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Unlike in hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, elbow dysplasia often results 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 a Sheepadoodle, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia.
- Addison’s disease: This is a disorder of the adrenal glands that causes them to not produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms can include lethargy, vomiting, and muscle weakness. This disease is managed with hormone replacement therapy and regular monitoring by a veterinarian.
- Cataracts: A clouding of the eye’s lens, which can impair vision.
- 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.