Beagle Health Problems: What You Should Know About Your Beagle’s Health

In general, Beagles are a healthy breed. Beagles can typically live to be 10 to 13 years old. But all dogs can have health problems and Beagles are no different. Beagle health problems may include epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and some kinds of dwarfism. The breed may also experience several eye problems as well. And, because of their long, floppy ears which reduce air circulation, Beagles can be particularly prone to ear infections. Continue reading for more information about Beagle health problems.

1. Epilepsy in Beagles.

One of the most serious Beagle health problems is epilepsy. Epilepsy in dogs is similar to the same condition in humans. As with humans, the cause of epilepsy is not always known, though a genetic cause is suspected in some cases. In other cases the cause is never known, or there may be some trauma, infection, disease, or even toxin involved. With epilepsy, there is probably a chemical imbalance that causes the neurons in the brain to fire erratically. This results in a dog having seizure or convulsions (sometimes called “fits”). There are different kinds of seizures which can affect different parts of a dog’s body, ranging from the entire body to a small, localized section.

Exactly what triggers a seizure is unknown though a trigger may be related to a dog becoming excited, or something that changes a dog’s routine. If your dog has a seizure you should make him comfortable so he can’t hurt himself — place him lying down on the floor away from anything hard or sharp. You can place a pillow under his head. Keep your hands away from his mouth. He is not fully conscious and he doesn’t know you’re there. He may thrash around and he could accidentally bite you. Note the time the seizure starts and your dog’s movements. Observe how your dog seems to be affected. Note how long the seizure lasts.

You may need to describe these things for your veterinarian. If the seizure lasts longer than three minutes, or if your dog seems to have one seizure right after another one, you should call your veterinarian. When the seizure stops you should allow your dog time to become reoriented. This may time some time. A single seizure is not usually an emergency, but if your dog has prolonged seizures or seizures that follow each other quickly, you should contact your vet. Epilepsy can’t be cured but it can be controlled with medication.

2. Hypothyroidism in Beagles.

Hypothyroidism is another one of the major Beagle health problems, though it is easily treated once diagnosed. The thyroid gland helps to regulate a dog’s metabolism. When it doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, the dog has hypothyroidism. Symptoms include weight gain, loss of hair, lethargy, and skin problems. Hypothyroidism is usually easy to diagnose with the proper blood tests.

Hypothyroidism is easily treated with an inexpensive synthetic thyroid hormone called Soloxine. Hypothyroidism is an immune system problem. It usually begins to show up in middle aged dogs when they are between four and 10 years old. It occurs in both male and female dogs, though spayed female dogs have a higher risk of developing the disorder than intact females.

3. Dwarfism in Beagles.

Another of the serious Beagle health problems is dwarfism or Chondrodystrophy. Dwarfism is an hereditary disease in Beagles and it involves a growth defect in the legs. Beagles who have this defect have a stunted look. If a puppy is a dwarf the problem usually starts to show by the time the puppy is three or four weeks old. If the puppy grows up, it may have a normal life expectancy but it probably won’t be very active.

A vet can diagnose dwarfism with x-rays of the legs and spine when the puppy is between three weeks and three months old. In many cases dwarf Beagles are euthanized when the problem is discovered as there may be some pain involved with the disease.

4. Eye problems in Beagles.

Other Beagle health problems include eye issues such as glaucoma and corneal dystrophy. Retinal atrophy can also be a problem. Eye problems such as these are usually noticeable when you look at your dog’s eyes.

5. Intervertebral disk disease.

Intervertebral disk disease is not very common in Beagles but is is a crippling condition and it is serious when it occurs. It usually shows up in a dog during middle age. It causes great pain in the neck area, especially when moving the dog. With intervertebral disk disease, the disks that provide a cushion between the spinal bones rupture or become dislocated. This puts pressure on the spinal cord.

The exact position of the injury determines how severe the symptoms will be. The symptoms include intense pain, trembling, discomfort, and possible paralysis in the back legs. This condition can occur suddenly and lead to total paralysis in the rear very quickly. In some cases the Beagle may be able to walk but only very unsteadily. This condition needs immediate veterinary attention and treatment.

These are the most serious Beagle health problems. Some of them are rather rare, but it is possible for them to occur in Beagles. If your Beagle does experience a serious problem you should err on the side on caution and see a veterinarian immediately.

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