Ridgebacks are as prone as all other dogs to health problems be they mongrels or purebred, in fact sometimes they seem to be too healthy. Give a Ridgeback good food, care and attention, and very importantly, lots of love, and you will have a happy contented dog for many years.
Bitches can be prone to phantom pregnancies; it is wise to have her spayed at about 16 months of age if you are not going to breed from her. It is NOT necessary for a bitch to have puppies “for her own good” before she is neutered.
DERMOID SINUS
The breed can be affected with a genetic skin related disorder and is present from birth in puppies DNA. Dermoid Sinus is a tube of skin that joins the outer surface of the skin to the spinal cord. It may or may not contain hair follicles or be lined with hair. As the hair sheds on the outer coat of the pup, so does hair in the tube. The body's natural response to dead material is to flush it out, this causes serum to build up and expel the debris. You should be able to buy a puppy without this problem very easily. However some breeders are either ignorant of the problem or do not know how to check for it. Being told a vet has checked the litter is OK provided the vet knows about the condition and how to detect it.
If left undetected, a sinus becomes a very big problem and causes a lot of pain and suffering. What looks like a lump, often along the dog’s neck and shoulder area, is in fact a kind of abscess often reaching into the spinal cord, needless to say it is excruciating for the dog and very difficult and costly to operate on, often with little success.
Make sure that your puppy has been competently and regularly checked for this condition.
OCD
Being a large breed that grows fast, some puppies can be susceptible to OCD (Osteochondrosis). This is believed to be partly inherited and partly environmental. How you rear your puppy and feed it is very important.
HIP DYSPLASIA
Although hip dysplasia is not a big problem in ridgebacks, it does occur. Hip dysplasia means that the hip bones are not fully in the sockets. This can sometimes cause a problem early on or can show up much later in a dog’s life, it is very painful to the dog and eventually they will be unable to walk. Certain families carry a higher incidence of HD than others do.
Check that the parents and hopefully the grandparents of your puppy have been hip scored and that they have a low score.
The average for the breed is 11 for both hips and the maximum score for any one dog is 106. The hip score of the parents is now printed on the puppy’s KC registration form; if it is not there, the parents have not been scored. Breeders can come out with a variety of excuses about why they have not had their dogs checked, but since it is not expensive when you consider the price of a puppy and can cause great distress to you the owner, as well as your dog, do not accept these excuses.
Bloat/Gastric Dilation
This is a serious emergency condition that Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be susceptible to, and it is a killer. It is worth taking the time and trouble to educate yourself, and if nothing else learn how to recognise the symptoms so should the situation arise you can get your dog prompt veterinary treatment and hopefully avoid a disaster.
For more information on the condition:-
http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
For information for about feeding bowls which encourage slower eating
http://www.brake-fast.net www.dogpausebowl.co.uk
Canine Herpes Virus (CHV)
Canine Herpes Virus (CHV) can cause fading puppy syndrome, upper respiratory disease (kennel cough) and abortion and stillbirths in dogs. There is a vaccine available which cannot prevent infection but if given during pregnancy can significantly improve fertility rates and reduce puppy death. Even bitches that already have the virus can be successfully vaccinated
More information at
www.2ndchance.info/herpesvirusdog.htm
Canine Epilepsy
For information email
The Phyllis Croft Foundation for Canine Epilepsy
Mrs M James, Secretary PCFCE
77 Upland Road
Billericay
Essex
CM12 0LD
Tel: 01277 630145
email pcfce@btopenworld.com
Canine Leishmaniasis
This is a serious condition spread from dog to dog by sand fly bites during the warmer summer months. The disease is prevalent in the
For more information:-
www.leishmaniasis.info/
www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/dogs/health_leishmaniasis.html
Xylitol Poisoning (Chewing Gum)
Xylitol (Perfect Sweet) is a sugar alternative present in sugar free chewing gum, some sweets especially mints, and some baked goods. Although a healthy option for human consumption it is extremely toxic to dogs and if ingested can be fatal.
For more information:-
www.vetblog.co.uk/vetblog/chewing-gum-poisoning-xylitol-orbit-in-the-dog
www.stmarysvets.co.uk/infoa8html#Xylitol
Grape and Raisin Poisoning
Not many owners are aware that grapes and raisins are harmful to their dog. Most dogs adore grapes but they are in fact toxic to them and should never be offered, or left in a bowl where a dog can help itself to them.
For more information:-
www.stmarysvets.co.uk/infoa8.html#Grapes
www.fentonvets.co.uk/Poisoning.html
Canine Lungworm
There has been a recent rise in the number of cases of canine lungworm. It is one of the many types of worms that can be easily prevented. Not all worming preparations successfully treat lungworm infection so seek advice from your veterinary surgeon to ensure you use an effective product.
For more information:-
www.lungworm.co.uk
Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid gland)
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormone. The main function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the body’s metabolism. When the gland is under active many of the body’s functions slow down.
For more information:-
www.2ndchance.info/doghypothyroid.htm
www.thyroid-info.com/articles/dog-hypo.htm
Chocolate and Cocoa Bean Mulch Poisoning
Chocolate contains theobromine which can be extremely toxic to dogs. Toxic doses vary according to the size of the dog and the cocoa solid content of the chocolate.
Cocoa bean mulch, a by-product of chocolate manufacture, is made from cocoa beans shells. It is a favourite with gardeners but just like chocolate it contains theobromine. Dogs are attracted to it’s sweet chocolate smell but if ingested it can be fatal.
For more information on chocolate poisoning
http://vetblog.co.uk/vetblog/chocolate-poisoning-in-the-dog
For more information on the dangers of cocoa bean mulch
www.wellpets.co.uk/index.php?view-pageView&docid=100050154
Poisonous Plants
Many plants are poisonous to dogs, and puppies are especially inquisitive and want to “taste” everything they can get in their mouths so are particularly vulnerable.
For more information on poisonous plants:-
http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/2/Health/poisonplants.htm
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/atozofdogs/p/poisonoussubstances/poisonousplants/