Why is hyperlipidaemia so common in Miniature Schnauzers?

Why is hyperlipidaemia so common in Miniature Schnauzers?

Hyperlipidaemia is so common in Miniature Schnauzers (Xenoulis et al 2007) that attempting to breed only from unaffected individuals could cause a significant reduction in the gene pool that might lead to other serious unintended consequences on the health of the population.

What’s the life expectancy of a miniature schnauzer?

Life Expectancy. Your Miniature Schnauzer can, if healthy, live 12-15 years. Your dog’s lifespan depends on her own health and environment, genetic predispositions to illnesses like those listed above, and quality of life. Some dogs will not live as long, because of physical issues.

What to look for in an aging Schnauzer?

Watch for any signs of bleeding of the gums or foul smelling breath, as this can signal dental or digestive issues. Dogs that have a history of digestive or dental problems in their early years often have the condition reoccur in their senior years.

What to do if your miniature schnauzer has hearing loss?

Your dog will rely on his or her sense of smell so make an effort to leave a worn item with the dog when you leave the house or the room. Sudden blindness or hearing loss may be due to toxicity in the dogs system. Any sudden loss should be investigated by a veterinarian, through a check-up and blood tests if necessary.

Hyperlipidaemia is so common in Miniature Schnauzers (Xenoulis et al 2007) that attempting to breed only from unaffected individuals could cause a significant reduction in the gene pool that might lead to other serious unintended consequences on the health of the population.

When to know if your miniature schnauzer is sick?

Much too often, pet parents don’t recognize the warning signs or symptoms of a sick dog until the disease is in more advanced stages. With early diagnosis & treatment, you could save your dog from pain and suffering not to mention save you Miniature Schnauzer’s life. Prevention after all, is the best medicine.

What kind of pancreatitis does a miniature schnauzer have?

Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to pancreatitis and have the highest prevalence of this disease (Lewis 2007, Mori et al 2010). Lewis (2007) reported that, in a survey of in-patients at a chain of veterinary hospitals in the USA during 2006, 92 of 15,765 Miniature Schnauzers were found to have pancreatitis.

What causes heart failure in a miniature schnauzer?

Heart failure is one of the main causes of death among old Miniature Schnauzers. This may be caused by weakened heart valves (heart murmurs), malfunctioning sinus nodes, or a non-closing vessel (patent ductus arteriosis).

Is there a problem with my Miniature Schnauzer?

A further personality trait of Miniature Schnauzers is that they can be strong-willed and spirited. It is crucial to be consistent with rules and boundaries so they know what is expected of them and acceptable behavior. If your Miniature Schnauzer thinks they run the home it can become a problem. This is often referred to as small dog syndrome.

Is it OK to breed a miniature schnauzer with pancreatitis?

It seems reasonable to suggest that Miniature Schnauzers with hyperlipidaemia should not be bred as this is both an undesirable trait in itself and a marker for increased likelihood of acute and chronic pancreatitis and the associated diseases of diabetes mellitus and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

When did the first Miniature Schnauzer come out?

There, Standard Schnauzers were bred with smaller dogs, such as the miniature poodle and the Affenpinscher. The aim was to create a farm dog that could hunt rats. The first recorded Miniature Schnauzer appeared in 1888.

What kind of disease does a miniature schnauzer have?

Around one third of Miniature Schnauzers have been shown to have an abnormally high blood triglyceride levels and are presumed to have idiopathic hyperlipidaemia (Xenoulis et al 2007). Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to pancreatitis and have the highest prevalence of this disease (Lewis 2007, Mori et al 2010).

Are there programmes to reduce the incidence of hyperlipidaemia in Miniature Schnauzers?

As far as we are aware, there are currently no programmes to reduce the incidence of hyperlipidaemia in Miniature Schnauzers.

It seems reasonable to suggest that Miniature Schnauzers with hyperlipidaemia should not be bred as this is both an undesirable trait in itself and a marker for increased likelihood of acute and chronic pancreatitis and the associated diseases of diabetes mellitus and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

How old do Miniature Schnauzers usually live to be?

Miniature Schnauzers typically live to be 12 to 14 years of age, though some may live longer.