What diseases are Entlebuchers prone to?

• 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 fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing an Entlebucher, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Progressive retinal atrophy: (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.

• Entlebucher urinary syndrome: A disorder in which the ureter (the tube that passes urine from the kidney to the bladder) does not connect to the bladder in its normal location. This disorder varies in severity, and in some cases, it does not cause any problems. However, other dogs may suffer from renal failure. The signs are subtle but include bed-wetting, frequent urination, and leaking urine.

• Others: Patellar luxation, also known as slipped kneecaps; torn ACL; and overheating are also common problems in this breed. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip and imaging tests for your dog.