Do Samoyeds have health problems?

• 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 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 be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Samoyed, 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 regarding activities and exercise.

• Subaortic stenosis: Subaortic stenosis is an inherited heart condition that is most common in larger breed dogs and is present at birth. It occurs when a dog is born with an abnormally narrow aortic valve, which controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. The narrowing makes it difficult for blood to flow properly through the heart and can cause fainting and even sudden death. Your vet can detect it and prescribe the proper treatment.

• Eye problems: Samoyeds may be prone to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness; cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision; and glaucoma, a disease that causes excessive pressure on the eye, damages the optic nerve and eventually leads to vision loss and blindness.

• Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy: This genetic kidney disease can cause kidney failure in Samoyed males.

• Gastric dilatation-volvulus: This is a sudden, painful, and life-threatening swelling and twisting of the abdomen.

• Others: Samoyed may also be prone to cancer, diabetes, and hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat.