Hovawarts and health

We all worry about our dog's health. What about Hovawarts? What conditions do they fight with as a breed?

The focus in breeder circles is on hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, thyriod problems and livershunt. Breeders have been quite successful fighting these conditions and Hovawarts are in general very healthy dogs. Yet it is difficult to double-check what breeders say, as the database where all the information is kept cannot be accessed publically.

Lets look at what could harm your Hovie. It is not only what breeders are occupied with, you should worry about. As large, furry and deep-chested dogs, Hovawarts are also prone to bloat and - yet in a far less degree - to skin infections. Although they are not on a breeders short list, they pose a real risc you should know about.

Bloat

Bloat is a condition where the stomach is twisted around. The blood supply is cut off. Stomach contents and gas cannot leave. This is extremly painful for your dog. And if surgery is not performed immediately, it is fatal.

As a deep-chested and large breed, Hovawarts are prone to bloat and every responsible Hovawart owner should have it on the top of his list. As always prevention and proper detection are key.

• Never eat and excercise within the same hour
• Elevate food and water bowls
• Make sure your dog doesn't eat to quickly
• Limit water intake with meals
• Feed smaller meals throughout the day instead of all in one meal

There is some doubt that elevating the food and water bowls and limiting the water intake actually helps. For the latest info see these articles of Roxanne Hawn on Champion Of My Heart blog: Prevention update, and on K9cuisine.com's blog: Risk Factors and Canine Bloat.

Symptoms to detect bloat are:

• Stomach distending, even ending up the size of a football
• Dribbling, as no saliva can be swallowed
• Attempts to vomit but cannot bring anything up
• In severe pain
• Pale gums and tongue

If you see the above happening, you have only minutes - yes, minutes not hours - to get your dog into surgery.

Skin conditions

The thick coat of the Hovawart can make them prone to bacterial skin infections. It is important after a swim or a bath, to make sure their coat is dried properly with a hair dryer. Wet spots below their thick fur can start to smolder and can cause infections like staphylococcus.

It is easy to prevent. And would it happen, easy to cure. But it is painful and discomforting for your dog and something you want to prevent.

Back to breeding

As mentioned in the introduction, Hovawarts are not fighting fierce battles for health as some breeds do. Like syringomyelia with King Charles Cavaliers, hip dysplasia with German Shepherd Dogs, cancer with Swiss Mountain Dogs or bloat with Great Danes. Breeders have been quite successful to sustain Hovawarts as - in general - very healthy dogs.

Of course breeding "standards" in itself are no guarantee the odds are not against you. Viva, my Hovawart, has spondylosis (a form of osteoarthritis) and Shiloh had hip dysplasia already on a young age.

The obvious

If the above list is not enough, there are of course the obvious dangers - for any dog - in your direct environment. Rabies. Heartworm. Kennel cough. Parvo, etc. They can be taken care off with preventive medicine and vaccinations. Standard vet practice it seems, but I don't think so. You should investigate what riscs are involved in your area, and if the standard vaccination program is balanced correctly. Like I assess Leptospirisos is underestimated in the area we are living in Denmark, and vaccination is not standard. Lorie A. Huston wrote this article on the Pet Health Gazette that can help to make up your own mind: Canine Leptospirosis: Vaccination Pros and Cons.
A good vet updates you also about changes in the local conditions. Like last year we had an incident where the French heartworm (vasorum) was diagnosed with a dog in our area for the first time. Our vet was so responsible to send a letter to all her clients warning about this apparant risc. Kenzo was tested the following week, and had already been infected with the heartworm. Luckily we found it early on, and still had a chance to cure him. That was a scare.

Anything else?

Promise to take care of your Hovawart for me. Next to breed-specific, pay extra attention to bloat and skin conditions. And don't forget to look over your shoulder for everything else.

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