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The St. Bernard dog is a national symbol in Switzerland, the country from which it comes. This breed is characterized by its enormous size.
This breed is normally healthy and its life expectancy is around 13 years. However, as with most dog breeds, it suffers from some prototypical diseases of the breed. Some due to its size, and others of genetic origin.
Continue reading this article by Animal Expert, to learn more about the most common diseases of St. Bernard.
hip dysplasia
As with most oversize dogs, the St. Bernard is prone to hip dysplasia.
This disease, very much in part of hereditary origin, is characterized by the constant mismatch between the head of the femur and the hip socket. This same maladjustment causes pain, limping walking, arthritis, and in very serious cases it can even incapacitate the dog.
To prevent hip dysplasia, it is convenient for the São Bernardo to exercise regularly and maintain his ideal weight.
gastric torsion
Gastric torsion occurs when it accumulates too much. gas in stomach of St. Bernard. This disease is genetic, causing the stomach to dilate due to excess gas. This disease is common in other large, deep-breasted dog breeds. It can be very serious.
To avoid it we must do the following:
- moisten the dog's food
- Do not give him water during the meal
- Not exercising immediately after eating
- Don't overfeed him. It is preferable to give small amounts several times
- Use a stool to elevate the São Bernardo food and water trough, so that it does not squat when eating and drinking
entropion
O entropion it is an eye disease, specifically the eyelid. The eyelid turns towards the inside of the eye, rubbing the cornea and causing eye irritation and even minor lacerations thereof.
It is advisable to maintain good hygiene for the eyes of the Saint Bernardo, washing his eyes regularly with saline solution or an infusion of chamomile at room temperature.
ectropion
O ectropion is how much the eyelid separates excessively from the eyes, causing visual dysfunction over time. Once this reinforces the idea that you should maintain good eye hygiene for your dog.
Heart problems
St. Bernard is prone to heart problems. The main symptoms are:
- Cough
- Shortness of breathe
- fainting
- Sudden weakness in the legs
- Somnolence
These heart diseases can be palliated with medication if they are detected quickly. Keeping your dog at its proper weight and exercising regularly is a good way to prevent heart disease.
Wobbler Syndrome and other care
O Wobbler Syndrome it is a disease of the cervical area. This disease can lead to neurological impairments and disability. The veterinarian must assess and control this aspect of the St. Bernard.
The internal and external deworming of São Bernardo is essential at least once a year.
The St. Bernard requires a daily brushing of its fur with a firm deer brush. You should not bathe them very often, as their fur type does not require it. When you bathe, you should do it with specific shampoos for dogs, with a very mild formulation. This shampoo composition has the purpose of not eliminating the protective layer of the São Bernardo dermis.
Other care that this breed needs:
- Don't like hot environments
- Do not like to travel by car
- frequent eye care
When the São Bernardo is still a puppy, it is not advisable to subject it to rigorous exercises until its bone skeleton is well formed.
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.