A VET has warned owners of the potential health problems that afflict three breeds of dogs.
He wanted owners or those thinking of adopting one of these pooches to be aware of the potential cost, and most of all, the heartbreak it could involve.
The Melrose Vet (@themelrosevet) believes “pets are people too.”
In his post, he listed the breeds and the problems they might face, such as heart conditions and spinal problems.
“If you currently own any of these breeds, here are some issues you should be aware of," he wrote.
First up was the lovable dachshund, affectionately known as the wiener dog.
“Dachshunds make great pets, but they’re prone to a lot of different health issues," he cautioned.
“The most common one is Intervertebral Disc Disease.
"That’s a disease of the spine, where the discs, which are the cushions of the spine, deteriorate over time that can rupture."
Up next was the small but mighty Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
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But they have problems too – cardiovascular ones.
“They’re notorious for having a heart condition called mitral valve disease," he said.
"That’s a valve in the heart that starts breaking down as you get older."
The cute pug was last on his list.
But it was their very cuteness that created their health issues.
"They are brachiocephalic dogs, meaning they have flat noses, flat faces, and small airways," he wrote.
“So they’re very prone to developing shortness of breath and they have trouble regulating their temperatures when it gets hot.”
In the comments to his post, there were examples from dachshund owners that both confirmed his warnings and completely flouted them.
This viewer's dog lived to a good age: “We had a mini Dachshund and he never had health issues and lived to be 17 years old.”
Finally, it was a cautionary tale from another wiener dog owner. It could get very costly if they ever get ill.
“Our Dachshund had disc surgery, $7,000.”
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