Are Vizslas healthy?

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Unlike in hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Vizsla, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.

• Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma: Lymphoma is a blanket term used to describe cancers that originate in white blood cells called lymphocytes. They are most commonly found in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. There are more than 30 types of lymphoma that affect dogs, and they vary in aggressiveness, treatment, and symptoms. Because the symptoms of lymphoma are so varied, it can be difficult to diagnose. The best way to make sure your dog receives treatment is to keep an eye on her behavior and take her to the vet when something seems off or she appears to be in pain. The most common treatment for lymphoma is chemotherapy.

• Others: Gastric dilatation-volvulus, a potentially fatal bloating of the abdomen; progressive retinal atrophy, a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness; epilepsy; hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production; and skin allergies. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip and imaging tests for the dog. When given the proper diet and exercise, many of these issues can be kept at bay.