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Common Rottweiler Health Issues

Dr. Cristina Vulpe
Reviewed by:
Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe
Veterinarian

There are several health conditions that can drastically impair the quality of your Rottweiler’s life. Rottweilers are a large breed, and while most are healthy, there are different health issues they are predisposed to. But, the most effective way to safeguard your Rottweiler puppy is to familiarise yourself with the leading health conditions that may affect him. Most of the time, early detection could lead to a better outcome and less invasive treatment. So what are these conditions you can expect in a Rottweiler?

To keep you informed and familiar with genetic diseases and health issues. Rottweilers are susceptible to a wide range of health issues, and this article focuses on the most common ones and how to recognise them.

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Are Rottweilers Prone To Health Problems?

On the surface, Rottweilers are considered dangerous dogs and are a big and powerful dog breed, yet they often have more health issues than other breeds. Getting Rottweilers from a reputable Rottweiler breeder that checks for genetic diseases in any of their young dogs is crucial.

Common Health Issues For Rottweilers

Although Rottweilers are considered relatively healthy, a few genetic disorders are synonymous with the breed, such as inherited bleeding disorders and hip and elbow dysplasia. Here are some of the most common health issues that can be found in Rottweilers.

Hip Dysplasia

The most prevalent health issue that has affected dogs from this breed is hip dysplasia, a hereditary disorder in which the femur’s head does not fit comfortably into the hip joint.

Your pup could be struggling with hip dysplasia if they start showing these signs:

  • lameness
  • struggle to get up
  • audible clicks

This is a debilitating illness that often requires expensive hip replacement surgery. A complete hip replacement and femoral head ostectomy include removing the neck and head of the femoral bone and replacing it with scar tissue to create a phoney joint.

Sub-Aortic Stenosis

Rottweilers may develop sub-aortic stenosis (SAS), a narrowing of the aorta that directs blood away from the heart. As a mild heart murmur, it’s common to see this in dogs, even if they don’t have heart issues as adults.

Sudden death may occur whether the cardiac murmur is minor, moderate, or severe. Be sure to check your dog’s heart from a young age and at least once a year after.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

The degeneration of the retina is known as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). This is an inherited condition that impairs your dog’s eyesight, and a dog’s capacity to see well is closely linked to the most visible indicators of increasing retinal atrophy.

Removing cataracts is generally discouraged if your pup is diagnosed with PRA since it does nothing to enhance the dog’s vision. Usually, dog owners and reputable breeders register their pups with PRA with the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). This permits your dog to have an annual eye checkup and registration from a CERF-recommended board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

Bone Cancer

Rottweilers are disproportionately affected by lymphoma, the most frequent cancer in the breed. This condition causes the body to produce aberrant lymphocytes as a kind of white blood cell.

This malignancy may develop practically everywhere in the body since white blood cells are located throughout. In dogs who are given chemotherapy, lymphoma is a relatively curable cancer with a high success rate.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Von Willebrands disease is a genetic disease where dogs suffer from a bleeding disorder. It is brought on by insufficiency in either the amount or activity of von Willebrand factor, a protein found in the blood that encourages platelets to adhere to wounded surfaces to form a blood clot. It can be diagnosed with a blood test.

The presence of bloody urine or faeces, as well as persistent bleeding from trauma, are all warning signs. A specific blood or DNA test is used to diagnose the condition. Treatment for von Willebrand’s disease typically requires blood or plasma transfusions, but no cure exists.

Should I Insure My Rottweiler?

It’s a good idea to get dog insurance for your Rottweiler while they’re still a puppy since they have a lot of health difficulties.

Tips for Choosing the Best Insurance for Rottweilers

Rottweilers’ insurance premiums are higher than those for other dog breeds. This is because claims for costly-to-treat genetic illnesses are more likely to be made for Rottweilers than any other pets.

You don’t only need pet insurance if your pup has been injured; it also covers disease, even if your Rottweiler has pre-existing or inherited conditions.

The best pet insurance coverage is affordable enough to save you money over time and comprehensive enough to offer you protection with little hassle.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Rottweiler?

Rottweilers are considered to be a large breed of dog and subsequently have a shorter lifespan in comparison to smaller breeds. Rottweilers, therefore, have a life expectancy of approximately 8-10 years.

Final Thoughts on Rottweiler Health Issues

When considering buying or adopting a Rottweiler, it’s essential to research the breed and the breeder since they tend to have a few health problems. With the right large-breed puppy diet and sufficient exercise, your beloved pooch can live a long and happy life.

Learn more about: Rottweiler Dog Breed Information

Other helpful information

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