Do Border Terriers have health problems?

• Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS): This is a hereditary disease affecting Border Terriers similar to canine epilepsy.

• 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, the abnormalities seen 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 be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Border Terrier, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.

• Legg-Calve-Perthes: This is a condition that causes the head of the femur (located in a dog’s hind leg) to spontaneously degenerate. Over time, this will lead to erosion of the hip joint and arthritis. A Border suffering from Legg-Calve-Perthes will become lame, limp while walking, and experience pain when moving the hip joint. Surgery is the most effective treatment for the disorder.

• Others: Heart defects; incorrect bite, where the jaw is slightly deformed and causes misalignment in the jaw (similar to an over or underbite in humans); patellar luxation, a common problem in many dog breeds that causes the knee joint to slide in and out of place; and hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, eye, and imaging tests for the dog.