Common Health IssuesLike all breeds, the Airedale has health concerns that people should take into consideration before they bring a puppy home.
Some common issues that occur in the Airedale are: Hip dysplasia, eye problems, allergies, colonic disease, malocclusion and hypothyroidism. Hip Dysplasia- A genetic defect that occurs when there is an abnormal formation in the dog's hip socket which can cause pain, lameness and arthritis in your pet. Since the illness is genetic however, screenings can be done to help prevent breeding of dogs with this defect. Owners can also ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been screened before they purchase a puppy. Progressive Retinal Atrophy- An eye problem in Airedales that causes gradual deterioration of the retina. Once the retina starts to deteriorate, the Airedale will become night-blind and as the disease progresses on, the dog will become blind during the day. Most of the time, the dog will be able to adapt it's senses for it's loss of sight and will be able to carry on as normal as long as their surroundings remain constant. Allergies- Most wire-haired dogs develop allergies and the Airedale definitely falls into this category. The most common allergies for this breed are: food allergies, contact allergies and inhalant allergies. All of these allergies can be easily deterred by simply eliminating the substances that the dog reacts to. Hypothyroidism- A defect in the dog's thyroid gland that can be treated by administering medication and establishing a specific diet. If left untreated, it can cause hair loss, obesity and epilepsy in your pet. |