Whenever you bring a beagle into your life, you will want to keep them healthy and happy. With this being said, there are some health issues found in beagles that you should know about. If you notice the signs of any of these beagle dog health issues in your beagle, be sure they get proper medical attention as soon as possible.
Health Issues Found in Beagle Puppies
- Cherry Eye - This happens if the tissue holding your dog’s tear gland gets weak. If this occurs, their gland will come out of place. You will be able to see it well. It will look bright red and round. In some instances, the gland becomes infected and quits functioning. If you notice the cherry eye in your puppy, call their veterinarian immediately, so they can schedule surgery to repair the issue.
- Chondrodysplasia - This beagle health issue is actually rare, but it does happen. If your beagle gets this condition, they could experience severe joint pain. Generally, this arises between the ages of 3 to 4 weeks. Your beagle won’t be developing well and they may have difficulty getting around. At 6 months of age, your beagle puppy may look deformed. The veterinarian can’t cure this but they can offer medication to help with your puppy’s pain.
- Puppy Pyoderma - If your beagle puppy develops this skin condition, it will look like they have acne on their stomach. However, it is an infection, which is treatable. The veterinarian will likely prescribe medicated shampoo along with antibiotics.
These are some of the health issues of beagles that you might notice in your beagle puppy. There are some health issues that you might notice in your adult beagle, as well.
Health Issues Found in Adult Beagles
In addition to the health issues you read about in beagle puppies, there are some issues that might present themselves in adult beagles, too. These health issues include the following:
- Allergies - Beagles could develop dog allergies to a range of different things. If you notice your adult beagle is scratching a lot or getting a number of ear infections, this could be related to allergies. Diet changes and antihistamines often clear up the symptoms.
- Hypothyroidism - Your adult beagle could develop issues with their thyroid. If you notice weight gain, cold weather intolerance, lethargy, hair loss, or a dull coat, these could signify hypothyroidism. Your dog may need supplements to help with this condition.
- Idiopathic Epilepsy - A genetic issue that could arise is called idiopathic epilepsy. If you notice your beagle starts having seizures, you should have them checked out by the veterinarian right away. They can run proper tests to see if your dog has this condition. If so, medications can be prescribed.
These are some of the health issues that your loving beagle could have. If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your beagle, have them see their veterinarian right away.
Overall, Beagles are an exceptionally healthy breed of dog and are great family dogs. Known well for their eccentric behaviors and resilience, Beagles don't often face many medical issues in their lifetime. However, just like with any other breed of dogs, Beagles aren't immune to becoming ill at some point in their lifetime. They are sometimes known to experience issues with conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism, just to name a few. As a Beagle owner, you will benefit from knowing what to look out for to catch any of these diseases in their earliest stages.
What Should I Be Looking Out For?
IBS: With irritable bowel syndrome, your Beagle could be experiencing symptoms that range from diarrhea, having more or less bowel movements than they usually do, or even visible bloating.
Bladder Cancer: Some of the concerning signs that your Beagle could be facing a problem like bladder cancer might include noticing blood in their urine, noticeable straining when they are urinating, and possibly even having trouble running around and being active the way they normally might.
Hypothyroidism: Symptoms of hypothyroidism might be more out of the ordinary, as you might notice that they start gaining excessive amounts of weight with no change in their diet. You may also notice your Beagle beginning to lose fur in scattered patches or just shedding more than they normally might.
What Can I Do About it?
IBS: To prevent or treat this, after seeing your vet, you will want to give your Beagle any of the prescribed medications they vet recommends. In addition to medication, you will also want to follow any new diets that the vet also has put in place. One last important tip: To avoid or treat IBS in your Beagle it is recommended that you avoid giving them table scraps at any point.
Bladder Cancer: This is one disease that your vet will have to probably refer you to a specialist for treatment. A veterinarian oncologist may recommend a course of treatment that could include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or a medication regimen all dependent upon your Beagles condition at the time.
Hypothyroidism: With this condition, the only course of treatment is to start your Beagle on the prescribed medication regimen. While your beagle is on the medication for this condition, they will need to be closely monitored, as the dosage can and probably will be adjusted throughout treatment. Adjustments depend on how your Beagle reacts to the medication.
Conclusion
Many diseases cannot be prevented or helped, and it's heartbreaking to watch your beloved pet go through something that you cannot explain what it is or why it is happening to them. In order to prevent these health issues, be sure to feed your dog healthy food such as homemade dog food, fresh dog food, and even natural dog food.
Beagles make incredibly loving family pets and often will remain healthy and disease-free. Should any of the above signs or symptoms begin to pop up in your Beagles life, seeking treatment or advice from your veterinarian is the best thing you can do for your Beagle.
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