Vizsla health issues and how to prevent them
Vizsla is a generally healthy dog breed that possesses great energy and known to live long. Despite these, there are a number of health issues that are known to afflict them. Many of these issues are hereditary by nature so it is better to get a genetic health certification of the Vizsla before purchasing or adopting one. Here is a list of health concerns that your dog may encounter and how to treat and prevent them:
Hip dysplasia
This is a condition where the head of the femur gets dislocated from the socket of the hip and is common in large dogs. This results in difficulty in walking and pain for your Vizsla. Prevention of this would be to avoid your dog from being obese or overweight. Increase in its size would cause added pressure to the hips, initiating or aggravating the condition. Diet should NOT be high in carbohydrates and fat. Regular exercise such as brisk walks would help in using up stored calories.
Canine Epilepsy
Like in humans, Vizsla who has this condition exhibits sudden seizures and are acquired through heredity. Research suggests that preservatives (i.e. ethoxyquin, BHT, BHA) contribute to seizures so it is best to check the dog food for any. Chemical pollutants such as floor cleaners also are thought to cause this too. It is best to keep a journal of events that happened prior to an episode and avoid those in the future. If a seizure does occur, avoid moving the dog and remove any obstruction in the area.
Sebaceous Adenitis
This is a skin disease where the sebaceous gland (responsible for producing oil located in the hair follicle) gets inflamed. Treatment would be bathing the Vizsla with mineral oils and antibiotic shampoos. Some finding say that supplementing with sunflower oil, fish oil and vitamin A would be beneficial but must be consulted with a veterinarian first.
