Poodle Common Health Problems and Costs

Poodle Common Health Problems and Costs

Poodles are adoring friends and blissful companions. Their active intuition and alertness can often make them playful and fun to be around. However, diseases lurking around can suppress their loveable temperament and eat away the fun. All poodle breed types, including the Toy, Miniature, and standard ones, are equally susceptible to health problems. However, not all diseases affect them both, but some are standard and general. Here are the poodle common health problems and cost of their treatment you should know about.

1. Cushing’s disease

The average cost of treatment: $1,200

The Cushings disease, also known as hypercortisolism, is a health problem resulting from the overproduction of cortisol in the body, such that it becomes a nuisance. Under normal production levels, cortisol is supposed to be more remediating to their bodies than making them ill. Cortisol helps their bodies fight infections, manage their stress levels, and keep their blood sugar in check. Once the hormone exceeds the standard production, it ushers in many health problems.

Cushing’s diseases vary depending on the cause of the syndrome, although the symptoms are typically similar. The common variants of the disease include Pituitary dependent Cushing’s syndrome, iatrogenic Cushing’s disease, and adrenal tumor hypercortisolism. Both exhibit increased appetite, inaction, frequent urination, and pot-bellies.

2. Legg-calve-Perthes disease

The average cost of treatment: $2,000

This condition is mainly hereditary and can be extremely painful and traumatizing. It usually affects most poodles, but smaller types, including the miniature and toy poodles, are more susceptible. The diseases usually become more apparent when there’s a sudden change in how they walk, often strained. Usually, the upper side of the dog’s femur, including the head and neck of the bone, collapses.

This disease requires early diagnosis and treatment before it affects the entire hip region and causes irreversible damage. That means the pain would be unbearable and extremely uncomfortable when walking or flexing. An X-ray diagnosis can come in handy to identify the problem and administer surgical and non-surgical treatments.

3. Addison’s disease

The average cost of treatment: $2,000

Unlike Cushing’s disease that results from an overproduction of hormones, Addison’s disease is caused by a deficiency of a variety of adrenaline hormones. Standard poodles are the most affected among the poodle types, and the disease sometimes displays symptoms that can be easily confused with other health issues. These symptoms include inaction, restlessness, diarrhea, and vomiting.

It could progress to more serious situations, including the Addisonian crisis with more adverse symptoms when left untreated for long. Usually, the potassium levels become high, and the blood pressure lowers, leading to serious life-threatening conditions, including chronic vomiting and diarrhea.

4. Luxating patella

The average cost of treatment: $2,200

Luxating patella is also common among poodles, with miniature poodles among the most affected. Usually, the kneecap shifts out of position and moves out of the groove it usually sits on, causing stiffness in the knee area. While the condition isn’t as life-threatening, it’s often a nuisance causing constant irritation, pain, and discomfort. Luxating patella can sometimes affect the dog but disappear without treatment, only to show up later. Therefore, treating it eradicates it with no probability of reappearing.

Poodles’ common symptoms include limping and walking or running on threes, skipping steps, and limited activity. In severe cases, the cranial ligament would rapture and impair movement. CT scans and X-rays can diagnose this condition and put it out in the open before appropriate treatment measures are administered.

5. Mitral valve disease

The average cost of treatment: $3,500

This cardiac disease is common among poodles and affects the heart, making it forcefully pump blood to body organs. The mitral valve usually becomes weaker and less capable of stopping blood backflow. This condition could be worse in severe cases, forcing the heart to give in and eventually leading to death when unmonitored or treated.

Typical symptoms of the condition include apparent heart murmurs, general body weakness, and elevated respiratory rates. Coughing and strained breathing can also signify the condition since fluids accumulate in the lungs. Diagnosing this condition through chest X-rays, physical examination, ultrasound, or blood and urine tests will help administer subsequent treatments.

Below is a table showing the average cost of treatment and beagle health problem description

Health problem Average cost of treatment Description
Cushing’s disease $1,200 Overproduction of cortisol in the body leading to discomfort, pot bellies and poor coat quality.
Legg-Curve-Perthes disease $2,000 The upper side of the dog’s femur, including the head and neck of the bone, collapses.
Addison’s disease $2,000 Caused by a deficiency of a variety of adrenaline hormones.
Luxating Patella $2,200 The kneecap shifts out of position and moves out of the groove it usually sits on, causing stiffness in the knee area.
Mitral Valve disease $3,500 The mitral valve usually becomes weaker and less capable of stopping blood backflow, making it to forcefully pump blood to body organs.

Conclusion

Poodles are adorable and fun when they’re vigorously healthy, but that can get hindered when they fall sick. When your furry friend exhibits physical or behavioral changes, you must intervene and find the root of the problem. If an ailment seems to be lurking, administering timely treatments will keep their charm and mood high to play and jump all day long with you.