Do Mini Poodles have health problems?

1. Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: This abnormal joint growth causes rubbing, grinding, pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can help if diagnosed early. Consult a vet when rescuing a Mini Poodle to assess their predisposition.

1. Addison’s disease: Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by a malfunction in the hormone production of the adrenal glands. With this disease, the body is unable to create enough cortisol. Without cortisol, a dog cannot manage stress or digest food properly. Dogs with Addison’s disease may suffer from weakness, an abnormally fast heart rate, depression, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and excessive thirst and urination. Your vet can test your Mini Poodle to detect Addison’s disease and provide long-term medication.

1. Cushing’s disease: This condition occurs when the body produces too much cortisol. It can be caused by an imbalance of the pituitary or adrenal gland, but in some cases, a dog will develop too much cortisol from other conditions. Common signs are excessive drinking and urination, increased hunger, hair loss, obesity, and bruising. Cushing’s disease can be treated with surgery and medication.

1. Eye issues: Mini Poodles are susceptible to various eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), trichiasis, entropion, distichiasis, cataracts, and optic nerve hypoplasia, which may affect vision or lead to blindness.

1. 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. This condition causes lameness, limping, and hip joint pain. Surgery is the most effective treatment for the disorder.

1. Patellar luxation: Also known as slipped kneecaps, patellar luxation is a common problem in many dog breeds. It occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place. This can cause pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases, although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment.

1. Others: Mini Poodles are also prone to conditions like hypothyroidism, gastric dilatation-volvulus, urinary stones, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, and mitral valve disease. Veterinary tests can help detect and treat these conditions in your Mini Poodle.