Content
- Leo or Scottie jaw
- liver diseases
- Westies Ear Problems
- Conjunctivitis and dermatitis
- Prevention of health problems
More known as westie or westy, this breed, originally from Scotland, stands out for having a lovely appearance that catches the attention of numerous dog lovers: medium size, a dense white coat and a sweet expression on its face. His temperament is that of a big dog in a small body, and he is a very tenacious dog, who keeps alert and defends his territory, although he is obviously also an excellent companion, who responds happily to the pampering he receives from his human family.
Are you thinking of welcoming a dog with these characteristics? So it's important to get informed in this article by Animal Expert, in which we talk about most common diseases in the west highland white terrier.
Leo or Scottie jaw
This disease, technically known as craniomandibular osteopathy it usually manifests in puppies, especially those between 3 and 6 months of age. it is a disease hereditary.
It consists of the anomalous growth of the jaw bone, although, luckily, disappear around 12 months deity. However, the Westie who is affected by the disease will need a systematic treatment based on anti-inflammatory drugs while he is sick, due to the pain that the dog feels and to ensure that it does not have difficulties when feeding.
Obviously this is a genetic risk associated with the breed, which does not mean that all West Highland White Terrier dogs will be affected by the disease.
liver diseases
The West Highland White Terrier tends to accumulate copper deposits, which causes hepatocytes to be destroyed. In the beginning, the hepatitis manifests itself asymptomatically, but later, between 3 and 6 years of age, it is drastically evident with the signs of a liver failure.
It is also a genetic disorder, but its prognosis can be improved. From one year of age onwards, we take the precaution of requesting a veterinary examination to determine copper levels in the liver.
Westies Ear Problems
The ears of the whest highland white terrier need to be cleaned weekly to prevent the occurrence of an otitis and that it gets worse with an infectious component as well as an inflammatory one.
The ears must be cleaned with a moistened gauze in saline or water, although it is always necessary to dry after the procedure, with another dry gauze. This care must always be taken, especially after bathing, in order to avoid the accumulation of wax and water from entering the ears.
Conjunctivitis and dermatitis
We must pay close attention to the eyes of this dog to avoid the accumulation of stings, which implies removing them properly, as soon as identified, to prevent any inflammation like conjunctivitis.
To achieve this goal, the care of the fur This breed is very important, it is convenient that a canine esthetic professional remove any dead hair, even if it is uncomfortable for some dogs. That is why it is recommended to cut the hair and not pull it out using the technique stripping.
You need to bathe at most once a month, unless your veterinarian indicates otherwise, as this dog is prone to dermatitis in the form of rashes, which can be aggravated by frequent bathing. For your hygiene we will use specific products but we should always opt for the most neutral and smooth products.
Prevention of health problems
Although the genetic disorders mentioned are impossible to prevent, we can make it easier for our dog to enjoy a great health if we toast you with proper nutrition and physical exercise, in addition to the emotional well-being and stimulation you need.
We also recommend consulting a veterinarian every 6 months or a year, at the most, this way it is possible to intervene quickly in any pathology and treat it in time. Following the dog's regular vaccination and deworming schedule helps us to avoid, for example, a flea bite allergy or a much more severe condition, such as parvovirus.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.