When a poodle and schnauzer produce offspring, the result is known as a schnoodle. Like most breeds, schnoodles are healthy, but they are more prone to certain diseases than other breeds. Even though your schnoodle may be fine, it is important to be aware of diseases that could occur in order to seek treatment as soon as possible.
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Hip Dysplasia
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Schnoodles are more prone to hip dysplasia than other breeds. This disease is hereditary. Hip dysplasia is a bone and joint disorder in which the head of the femur (large rear leg bone) either fits loosely or is completely dislocated from the socket. When this happens, it causes abnormal hip joint development. As the condition develops or worsens and the bone separates from the joint, arthritis generally occurs due to the friction. Pain sets in, and eventually debilitation is possible. You may see signs there is a problem when your schnoodle is four months to one year in age. If you notice your dog has difficulty standing, begins limping, or has a problem running or even walking that lasts more than a couple days, take your schnoodle to the veterinarian.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
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Legg-Calve-Perthes-Disease, also known as LCP, also involves the hip joint. However, if caught early enough, there are treatments for LCP. With this condition, the blood supply to the head of the femur connected to the pelvis decreases, causing the pelvis to deteriorate. Similar to hip dysplasia, signs there is a problem can occur as early as four months in age, and some of the signs are the same. You may notice limping and difficulty standing. If caught in the early stages, treatment may be possible with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, if LCP is too severe, surgery will be required.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
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One main eye disorder with schnoodles is progressive retinal atrophy, known as PRA. There are different classifications of PRA, but ultimately it leads to complete blindness. The most common early sign of the disease is night blindness. If you notice your schnoodle bumping or tripping over objects and running into walls when a room has dim lighting, suspect PRA. As the disease progresses, dogs may lose sight during the day. In some cases, dogs will adjust to their surroundings even with partial vision loss if their surroundings do not change. If there is any indication your schnoodle has vision problems, a veterinary ophthalmologist will conduct an electroretinogram test to determine vision loss.
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