When choosing a new family pet, getting a dog that is healthy will save you a lot of heartbreak and money. So, is the Kelpie a healthy breed? Or are there some health issues you should be aware of?
The health of a breed will help to determine its average lifespan and also make a difference in pet insurance costs and potential vet bills. kelp This article will look at the potential health problems a Kelpie might face.
The Australian Kelpie is considered to be a generally healthy breed. All dogs can suffer from health conditions, and it is essential to understand the potential issues a Kelpie might face.
Knowing about the conditions and symptoms will help you catch them early and give your dog the best options for treatment and recovery.
Most Australian Kelpies are healthy dogs, but it is always best to be aware of the conditions they could potentially suffer from, especially as an adult dog. Certain breeds are more susceptible to certain conditions than others. Here are the most common issues this highly intelligent dog can suffer from.
Hip dysplasia in dogs is common among most breeds. It occurs when the hip joints don’t develop properly, causing a poor fit and pain when walking.
Symptoms include of hip dysplasia in your Kelpie include:
The condition can be managed, or surgical treatment can sometimes resolve the issue.
Luxating patellas are a painful condition that affects dogs when the knee cap moves out of place or becomes dislocated. Your Kelpie will try to avoid using their leg, leading them to hop or skip.
Like hip dysplasia, this condition can be managed or treated with anti-inflammatory and pain medication with surgery.
Cryptorchidism is when one or both of the dog’s testicles fail to drop to the scrotum. This can lead to further issues such as cancer or testicular torsion.
If both of the dog’s testicles are not in the scrotum by six months, you should contact your vet. This condition can be treated by the removal of the retained testicle or both testicles.
Cerebellar abiotrophy is a progressive neurological disease in dogs. It gradually causes the cerebellum to die and causes a loss of coordination and balance.
There is no treatment for the condition. However, many dogs live a happy, healthy life and learn to adjust and compensate for it.
Progressive retinal atrophy in dogs is a degenerative disease that affects the eyes and can eventually lead to blindness.
There are no treatments for this at present. However, dogs are very resilient, and even losing their eyesight does not mean they will have a poor standard of living.
Getting pet insurance for all dogs is a good idea, even if you have a healthy Australian Kelpie puppy. Pet insurance will vary in price depending on the general health of your dog and the breed. Because Australian Kelpies are healthy purebred dogs, prices shouldn’t be too high.
Shopping around for the best insurance policy and premium price for your Australian Kelpie is essential. It is also important to realise that just because a policy is cheaper, it is not always better.
Take the time to check what your pet will be covered for and if there will be any excess charge to pay towards any treatment.
The average lifespan of Australian Kelpies is between 12 to 16 years. This is a good age for a dog, and there are a number of things you can do to minimise the risk of health complications.
Regular exercise and mental stimulation are important for energetic, active Australian Kelpies because they are highly intelligent dogs that were bred as Australian cattle dogs.
Herding dogs tend to be energetic and need regular exercise to ensure they don’t become overweight.
A healthy diet and regular vet checkups will also help keep your dog healthy and give your vet the best chance of spotting potential issues early.
This is a great breed, and Australian Kelpies herd livestock, enjoy dog sports, make the ideal search and rescue dog, or fit into family life.
The versatile medium-size dogs are great for families or working dogs. The typically healthy breed shouldn’t cause too many issues with having to visit the vet. However, Australian Kelpie owners will do well to keep an eye on potential issues before they develop.
Ensuring you buy from a reputable breeder and getting all the health certifications is key to having a healthy and happy Kelpie.
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