While a purebred dog from a
top breeder should be free of most serious health
conditions, there are always situations the new
owner should be aware of with the Pomeranian. With
the opportunity to exercise and run about, even in a
small space, most Pomeranian owners find that they
have few real health problems with their pet.
There are a few areas that owners of a Pomeranian
puppy will want to give a little extra effort to.
These include a proper diet, attention to the eyes
and ears, and talking at length with the breeder
about several genetic health conditions with the
Pomeranian. Many breeders and experienced Pomeranian
owners have gone to a fresh food diet for their dogs
or to choosing only the highest quality commercial
foods. The best place to start for a new owner may
be to discuss what the puppies have been fed while
with the breeder and continuing this diet.
It is important to know as
much as possible about the contents of commercial
foods. Many dog breeders and experienced owners have
discovered that their dogs can develop breathing
problems and skin problems because of the high grain
content of cheaper bagged foods. Dogs may be
allergic to excessive amounts of corn, wheat or soy
and these grains often make up the bulk of dry,
less-expensive foods.
Pomeranians may be prone to a condition called
dislocated patella or to luxating patella, in which
the kneecap moves from its normal location. One
veterinarian reports that he witnessed a small dog
running across the yard chasing a ball, then
suddenly pulling up with one of its hind legs held
off the ground. As it turns out, this was just one
of the dogs veterinarians look at that have suffered
a dislocated kneecap. Basically, the kneecap is held
in place by grooves in the bone and when these
grooves are not properly developed from birth, the
dog may be at risk for luxating patella. Small dogs
and toy dogs are at risk for this condition. A good
breeder should be aware of this tendency and may not
want to breed dogs with dislocated kneecap in their
family history.
Eye problems are another area in which Pomeranians
sometimes develop problems. Eye problems can be
caused by trauma or injury, as well as by some
diseases, such as glaucoma. Pomeranians are often
included on lists of breeds that may suffer from
progressive retinal atrophy, an eye disease that
starts with limited night vision. If the disease
progresses fully, it can cause blindness. This
condition is hereditary, so it would be best to
discuss this with a breeder as you look for your
puppy.
You may also want to ask the breeder if you can see
both parents of the puppy you are looking at. One of
the reasons may be a somewhat rare condition called
Severe Hair Loss Syndrome or Black Skin Disease.
This usually occurs in males of the breed. The young
dog may have a thick, healthy coat as a puppy but
there are not “guard” hairs and shedding is not as
heavy as other Pomeranians. When the coat does shed,
sometimes it does not grow back. In other cases, the
adult dog gradually sheds hair that does not grow
back.
Other health conditions you may want to watch for
with your Pomeranian are hypothyroidism (low
thyroid) and collapsing trachea. Both have been
found with some regularity in Pomeranians. Some
Pomeranians will make coughing or “honking” noises
when they have a trachea problem. The Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals maintains a registry for dogs
with hypothyroidism in the bloodlines. Talk with
your breeder about these conditions and consult with
your veterinarian if you suspect any problems.
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