What are the health issues with Skye Terriers?

• 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 adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present 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 Skye Terrier, have them checked out by a vet to see if they are prone to dysplasia.

• Degenerative disc disease: Degenerative disc disease causes a bulge or rupture in the discs between the vertebrae. The discs are responsible for protecting the spine and allowing flexible movement. When a disc bulges or ruptures, it can cause pain, nerve damage, and paralysis. About 10% of Skye Terriers have degenerative disc disease.

• Sky limp: Young Skye puppies may develop a limp as a result of the growth plates in their leg bones closing too early. It is not a painful condition, but pet parents must be careful of this breed jumping from heights and engaging in too much physical activity in the first year of their life to prevent bone damage.

• Hypothyroidism: This thyroid malfunction results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy, and a brittle coat.

• Mammary (breast) cancer: This is the leading cause of death in Skye Terriers.

• Autoimmune diseases: This includes a group of diseases that occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.