Most frequent pathologies in small breeds.
It is well known to almost every animal lover that large and giant breed/size dogs are more prone to suffer from a number of pathologies; due to their build and size, they are common victims of bone and joint diseases, as well as frequent dysplasia or arthrosis, as well as other very common pathologies in large dogs such as gastric torsion. They also have an enormous tendency to be overweight and have a shorter life expectancy.
But there seems to be much more ignorance about the ailments that tend to affect small breed dogs, because contrary to what many believe, although big dogs have the most to lose in many aspects related to health, small dogs also have their share.
It is important to know what the most common problems are in order to try to prevent them, with certain care or visits to the Veterinarian.
Dental problems are a classic among mini dogs. It is not easy to find a small dog of a certain age without dental problems. As they have less space available in their mouths (and have to hold the same number of teeth as a large dog) it is VERY common for their teeth to be misaligned, misplaced or even overlapping, which predisposes them to the accumulation of plaque that later becomes tartar. This can lead to gingivitis which very often results in tooth loss.
Another common problem in small breeds, also related to the dentition, is the retention of milk teeth (in adulthood) that did not fall out during the change of dentition. In particular, fangs are often retained and need to be surgically removed to avoid problems with the gums, jaw or palate, and they also cause the permanent teeth to be poorly positioned, resulting in an incorrect bite.
For all these reasons it is common for small dogs’ mouths to be dirtier, with some teeth missing when they reach a certain age and bad breath in general. To avoid this as far as possible, it is important (in all breeds but in these in particular) to clean them often, and it is often necessary to go to the vet for a thorough cleaning.
Another often overlooked aspect of small breed grooming is the nails. Keeping nails short and healthy is important for all breeds, but special emphasis should be placed on small breeds. It can be striking in the daily clinic how many owners come to the Veterinarian to trim the nails of small dogs, or already with problems such as overgrown dewclaws that dig into the skin.
Why does this type of problem tend to affect small dogs? Although there will be all kinds of cases, as a general rule small dogs are more ‘urban’ and do less exercise outdoors, spend more time in flats and often even walk in their arms, so they do not wear down their nails when walking and running on dirt and asphalt, or they do it much less, growing these is excess, and sometimes even hindering their movement and causing wounds.
A disease that often affects small breed dogs is tracheal collapse, which is a loss of the lumen of the trachea, i.e. the trachea loses its circular shape and tends to ‘flatten’, with the upper part coming into contact with the lower part, making it difficult or impossible for air to pass through.
Small dogs tend to suffer more from heart problems, statistically affecting more than half of these breeds throughout their lives, especially in old age.
Knowing the problem is essential in order to avoid it. For this reason, it is important to take appropriate care and make regular visits to the Veterinarian. This can prevent or diagnose these pathologies in time in order to avoid them or treat them successfully.
To finish on a good note, remember that, as we said, the advantage par excellence of small dogs is their LONGEVITY. While a large dog can be considered senior at 7 or 8 years of age and has a life expectancy (depending on the breed) that in many cases does not exceed 10 years, small dogs are not considered senior until after 10 years of age, most reach this age with a good quality of life and there are many that reach or exceed 15 years of age.
The interest in small dogs is increasing, as they are suitable for day to day life in the city and life in small flats or flats, fitting perfectly into any lifestyle.
