The Samoyed breed is one of the most adorable dog breeds out there, as they are extremely energetic, friendly, and loving.
Unfortunately, like all other dogs, Samoyeds are predisposed to certain diseases and health concerns that you should be aware of before getting one to join your family.
Thankfully, this comprehensive guide will list all of the diseases and health conditions that Samoyeds are predisposed to and the effects that they could possibly have on your dog’s life.
The Samoyed is an ancient dog breed, so they’re generally quite healthy, but there are some breed predispositions that you should be aware of before you decide to purchase a Samoyed puppy.
Below, we will list and discuss 4 of the most common health concerns that Samoyed dogs seem to be most at risk of.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA, is a group of eye diseases that slowly cause the retina to deteriorate as the disease progresses.
Early signs of this disease are night blindness until the disease eventually leads to a complete lack of vision. Many dogs can adapt to this condition over time, so long as you don’t move things around your home too often.
This is one of a few inherited diseases that Samoyeds are prone to. It is listed in the Canine Inherited Disorders Database, and it is a kidney disease that mainly affects male Samoyeds.
Affected dogs will seem to be healthy in their first three months of life, but symptoms start to show themselves after this time, and by 15 months old, your dog can usually pass away from the condition.
Female Samoyeds will develop mild symptoms when they are 2 to 3 months old but generally do not experience renal failure. There is currently still research being conducted on this condition, so there are currently no means to cure or treat it.
Hip dysplasia is another inherited disease that Samoyeds are predisposed to. The condition occurs while dogs are still growing, and it causes the hip joint to become loose, which results in pain and poor mobility.
It can, luckily, be treated through some medications and surgeries if hip X-rays are taken early enough and it is diagnosed correctly. The symptoms of this condition are lameness, limping, and having trouble standing up.
It is best to treat this condition early, as there will be fewer options if your Samoyed is an adult dog.
Glaucoma comes in two types: one is hereditary, and the other is the result of a decrease in fluid in the eye. It causes increased pressure in the eye, which results in vision loss and pain.
Thankfully, this condition can also be treated if the pet owners catch it before it becomes too serious. It can be treated either surgically or through eye drops.
All dogs can benefit from pet insurance, including Samoyeds, as it can provide you with the means to get any treatment that your dog might need, regardless of how much it might cost.
If you want to ensure that your Samoyed has a long and healthy life, then pet insurance can help you afford all of the medical care that you might need throughout their life span.
The best pet insurance for your Samoyed will be an option that covers you for nearly any kind of incident.
Good pet insurance will not make you pay any excess when you need to claim, and you should also pay up to 80% of your vet bills.
It should also allow you to claim between $11,000 and $20,000 per year, as this should prove to be enough to keep your dog healthy.
A healthy Samoyed who does not end up with any of the typical Samoyed health problems should be able to live between 12 and 14 years old.
If they receive adequate medical care and are fed quality, age-appropriate dog food throughout their lives, then they can live even longer than this.
The Samoyed can provide excellent human companionship for any owner and would make a great family pet for many households.
Prospective owners should merely be aware of the diseases that their dog could face in its lifetime and also try to treat them as early on as possible.
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