Scottish deerhound health issues and how to prevent them
The Scottish Deerhound is a large dog with a large heart. This breed of dogs is extremely friendly and active so keeping them healthy should be a top priority. The following are three organs that a Deerhound may experience health issues with and along with it are the ways to prevent them from occurring:
Heart
A common disorder that Deerhounds encounter is Cardiomyopathy (literally meaning heart muscle disease) that has unknown causes. If left untreated, it usually progresses to heart failure and is fatal to the dog. Prevention of this condition starts with a balanced diet comprised of low or none fatty food. Exercise should be done in a daily basis like brisk walking. Strenuous activities such as prolonged running should be avoided as to prevent the heart from being overworked. Have your Deerhound regularly checked by the vet to monitor onset or progression of this disease.
Stomach
Another health issue would be bloat or gastric torsion which is very common to deep-chested dog breeds like the Deerhound. This is the condition where the stomach gets filled with gas, distends, and becomes twisted making it difficult for the gas to pass. It is also fatal to the dog and is considered as an emergency. Preventing this from happening consists of feeding your Deerhound several small meals in a day rather than one big meal. It would also help if exercise or physical activity were delayed before and after eating.
Bone
One more health problem your Deerhound may encounter would be Osteosarcoma or leg bone cancer. It is a painful condition where the cancer destroys the bone from inside out. The cause of this disorder is unfortunately unknown.
By being informed of these health issues and the conditions that comes with it you as a responsible pet owner can take care of your dog more responsibly.
