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Health
There are various health issues
in dogs of all breeds that cause concern for their breeders and owners. For
some illnesses and conditions, there are steps that can be taken to prevent
the possibility of the illness or a condition arising, e.g., through
vaccination, X-rays and suchlike. Other conditions that exist are less
well-known and are being investigated to establish the extent of the
condition and the best treatment for it.
This section of the HVC website attempts to acquaint Vizsla breeders, owners
and potential owners with some current worrying conditions. Please, click on
the condition to read about it.
FACT SHEET ABOUT MYOSITIS (muscle inflammation)
Click here
to download Myositis Fact Sheet in Word format
Generally the vizsla has always been considered to be a healthy breed.
Responsible breeders adhere to a code of conduct which requires that they
breed only from vizslas that are of sound temperament, hip-scored,
physically healthy and free from known hereditary diseases.
This approach has always worked very well indeed and it has helped to ensure
that a vizsla usually lives a long, strong, happy and healthy life.
From about 2004 onwards observers began to note that a number of young
vizslas were succumbing to a swallowing disorder which had not previously
been clinically recognised. “Myositis and Dysphagia in Hungarian Vizslas” is
now the subject of a veterinary research project
The condition is still very uncommon (and your puppy is MOST unlikely to be
a victim) but, for the purposes of the research project, responsible
breeders are now including this fact sheet in their puppy packs so that new
owners can be made aware of what to look out for (the disease is so unusual
that many local vets may not recognise it either!)
The signs of our illness are problems with swallowing - both food and water
- excessive drooling, and usually also muscle wasting around the head.
Typical onset is usually in adolescence or maybe up to about two years of
age and frequently there is an acute episode of retching, gagging, choking,
dysphagia and hypersalivation. Sometimes the onset is more insidious with
inefficient and messy eating and drinking being noted. Often there is an
initial diagnosis of megaoesophagus. Fatigue, aspiration pneumonia and a
stiffness of gait are other common findings. The illness is believed to be
immune mediated. With prompt diagnosis and treatment it can usually be well
controlled.
The disease is more fully described on this website http://www.vizslamyositis.blogspot.com/
Once again we emphasise that as responsible breeders we care about the
future health and well-being of our lovely breed. We are including this fact
sheet for information purposes only and do not want you to worry
unnecessarily. Please keep this sheet and if over the months and years to
come you hear of any vizsla that has succumbed to myositis, or other immune
mediated illness, then please ask the owner to contact those in the breed
who are conducting the research.
Authored in March 2008 by Di Addicott 01576 202258 diane@murrayfield.wanadoo.co.uk
Future health issues are likely
to be
Hip & Elbow Dysplasia.
Epilepsy.
Infertility.
Auto-immune Deficiency.
Eye Conditions.
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