Are Wheaten Terriers healthy?

• Protein-wasting diseases: Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) is the loss of protein via the kidneys, while with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) the digestive tract fails to fully absorb protein. Luckily, there are tests to diagnose both of these diseases.

• Addison’s disease: Addison’s disease, also known as hypoadrenocorticism, is caused by a malfunction in the hormone production of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small glands near the kidneys responsible for a variety of body functions, such as controlling salt, sugar, and water balance in the body. In Addison’s disease, the body is unable to create enough cortisol. Without cortisol, a dog cannot manage stress or digest food properly. Dogs with Addison’s disease may suffer from weakness, an abnormally fast heart rate, depression, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and excessive thirst and urination. Your vet can test your pup to detect Addison’s disease and provide long-term medication.

• 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 fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Wheaten Terrier, have them checked out by a vet to determine their likelihood for dysplasia.

• Renal dysplasia: This is an abnormal development of the kidney that could cause renal failure, allergies, and cancer.