This is a generally healthy
breed of dog, but the Scottish Terrier can be prone
to just a few medical conditions. The new owner
should know about and ask about these, beginning
with von Willebrand’s disease. This is an inherited
blood disorder in which the dog is missing a
substance that helps blood clots to form. The
disease is similar to hemophilia in humans.
Dogs that have a higher
incidence than normal are Scotties, German
Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Poodles and few
others. Owners will notice that bleeding continues
after an injury if the pet has this condition.
Nosebleeds or gum bleeding may also develop, even
with injury. Blood in the urine or in the intestines
can be one of the more serious developments of von
Willebrand’s disease. Breeding stock should be
tested before mating and puppy buyers should ask the
breeder if von Willebrand’s disease test results for
the parents of a litter are available.
In addition to being susceptible to von Willebrand's
disease, the Scottish Terrier may develop skin
problems and flea allergies, epilepsy, and some
jawbone disorders. Scotties are known to scratch and
bite at their coat and skin to relieve an itch or to
get rid of a flea. However, this can go beyond mere
scratching to the point at which the dog loses some
of its coat and causes injury to the sensitive skin
underneath. Some experts recommend a supplement of
the correct type of fatty oils to help relieve this
problem.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy is a non-cancerous
growth of bone on the lower jawbone. The first signs
appear between three and four months of age, when
the affected puppy shows discomfort while chewing,
or when the puppy's mouth is being examined. An
experienced breeder and/or veterinarian can detect
the condition by feeling the dense, hard, and rough
surface that is caused by the disease.
X-rays can be taken to make the appropriate
determination. Other signs are that the puppy may
run a fever and be lethargic. Mild cases may be
mistaken for teething problems or symptoms of a
viral infection. You should consult your
veterinarian immediately if you suspect this
problem. If you are in the beginning stages of
choosing a puppy, be sure to ask the breeders about
this condition. Even if breeding parents do not show
signs of this disease, they may still be carriers of
the gene that leads to it.
The breed is also prone to Scottie cramp, a minor
condition that may cause difficulty in walking.
Cerebellar abiotrophy, a rare, slow-to-progress
neurological disease that causes loss of
coordination, has also been found in the breed. Many
owners of purebred dogs have started their puppies
with a diet of fresh foods, or continued this after
finding that the breeder is feeding his dog’s fresh
meats, vegetables and even some fruits.
Dogs have a unique set of requirements for what they
eat. Many dogs do not do well with cheaper brands of
commercial foods because they cannot tolerate the
high grain content of these foods. Dogs can develop
allergies to the excessive amounts of corn, wheat,
and soy in the less-expensive dry foods. Since
Scottish Terriers are sensitive to skin irritations
and fleabites, it may be best to begin the puppy
with such a natural or fresh food diet.
In addition, the feeding of cheaper foods and
overfeeding the Scottie can lead to overweight. This
excess weight sometimes leads to back problems in
the breed. Consult with your veterinarian and your
breeder about feeding such things as fresh chicken,
vegetables, eggs, and cottage cheese.
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