by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: January 04, 2010

Beagles are sweet little dogs that have long been loved as both companion dogs and hunting dogs. They have silky ears and sensitive eyes, coming in various combinations of brown, black, and white. Looks and personality, however, shouldn't be the only factors in a person's choice of dog breed to acquire. A person that is going to get a new dog should always educate themselves well about the breed beforehand. Having a pet is a serious commitment and one that should be made for the life of the pet, whenever possible. Some things that are very important to know are the health problems that the breed you are considering is prone to. The following are some of the most common health problems that Beagles, and their owners, have to deal with.

*Obesity-Obesity in dogs is just as detrimental to their health as it is in humans. An overweight dog can have numerous problems that could have been avoided, such as skeletal problems or heart disease. Owners should monitor their dog's food intake, not allowing the dog to eat on demand, and ensure that he or she is getting enough exercise.

*Distichiasis-This occurs when the dog has an extra set of eyelashes. They are typically on the bottom, but can be on the top as well. This will irritate the cornea and cause tearing.

*Demodicosis-This is a skin condition caused by mites living in the folds of the skin.

*Cataracts of the Eyes-Dogs with cataracts will be apparent because of the cloudy film that will cover the lens of the eye. There can be minor cataracts that won't affect the dog's vision entirely or they can get so severe that they will completely block any light from coming in at all.

*Intervertebral Disk Disease-When a dog has this condition, the disks of the backbone go from being a fibrous tissue to taking on a cartilage-like consistency. This will cause pain, sometimes extreme, for the dog. It also increases the risk of the disks rupturing. Another thing to avoid is allowing the dog to jump too much or from high locations as this puts additional pressure on the spine. Intervertebral disk disease can lead to total paralysis.

*Progressive Retinal Atrophy-This is a genetic eye disease that affects the rods and cones (nerve receptors)of the retinal tissue. The rods are typically affected first, which makes it difficult for the dog to see in the dark or dim light. The cones are often affected later, causing the dog to have vision problems even in the daylight.

*Cherry Eye-Cherry eye is a prolapse of the third eyelid and can affect tear production. The gland can become irritated and begin to cause discharge and/or swelling. If the third eyelid becomes infected, conjunctivitis will ensue and surgery will be necessary to put the third eyelid back in place to prevent further irritation.

*Cutaneous Asthenia-This genetic disorder is caused by a reduction of collagen in the skin of the dog. This will also affect the blood vessels. Skin will be extremely fragile and tear easily. The connective tissues are defective with this issue and the skin will be loose and stretchy. If your dog has Cutaneous Asthenia, the nails should be kept well-trimmed and owners should take care that the dog is not in contact with rough surfaces that can damage the skin.

One of the jobs of a responsible pet owner of any breed or species is to ensure that the animal is kept in the best health possible. This includes regular vet checks and vaccinations, as well as watching for and attending to any signs of illness as soon as possible. A Beagle that is cared for and in good health can live between twelve and fifteen years.

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