What this breed lacks in size, they certainly make up for in personality with their boundless energy and flair for mischief. Their distinctive “whiskers and beard” give them a wise appearance, and indeed they are a clever and alert breed.
Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to, so we have summarised some conditions commonly seen in the Miniature Schnauzer.
Miniature Schnauzers are predisposed to developing bladder stones, usually struvite of calcium oxalate stones. Uroliths form when mineral crystals in the urine combine to form stones. They are classified depending on the type of mineral they are composed of.
Classic clinical signs include:
Please note if your dog is unable to urinate, this could imply the stone is blocking the urethra, and this becomes a life-threatening emergency, therefore we urge you to seek direct veterinary attention.
Diagnosis is usually made with imaging (either x-ray or ultrasound), as well as blood tests and urinary sediment exams.
Treatment often depends on the type of stone present, but can either be surgical removal, non-surgical removal (Urohydropropulsion) or medical management with prescription diets to dissolve the stone.
They are also predisposed to pancreatitis; an inflammatory reaction of the pancreas, which can be acute or chronic. This may be associated with the increased levels of lipid commonly reported in their blood (see below).
Symptoms can be vague but may include;
Diagnosis is often reached with a combination of blood tests and abdominal imaging (usually ultrasound). There is no specific treatment for pancreatitis, we aim for symptomatic treatment only. This may include hospitalisation, intravenous fluid therapy, anti-sickness medication and plenty of pain relief.
Prevention is best. To avoid repeated episodes we typically suggested transitioning onto a low-fat prescription diet, feeding low-fat treats and generally maintaining a healthy weight.
Schnauzers are prone to a condition known as Hyperlipidemia, which is an increased level of lipids (fats) in the blood, such as triglycerides and sometimes cholesterol.
Symptoms can include:
Blood tests will often highlight the high lipid levels, and treatment is often aimed at changing the diet to a low-fat version, by useing supplements and potential medication to control the blood fat levels.
They tend to suffer from atopy or allergies, with sensitivities to either environmental or food allergens. They often present with itchy, scaly skin, hair loss or suffer from hot spots.
Common triggers include;
Most dogs with allergic skin disease are allergic to more than one thing.
It can be frustrating trying to source the trigger, but this can often guide owners on appropriate treatment management.
Sadly, no one size fits all. Every allergy case needs a slightly different treatment plan. There is so much value in discussing your dogs symptoms with our vets and formulating a plan together. As the condition often requires life long care, the key to management is case continuity. Being able to follow up and review responses to treatment with the same vet can really help you succeed.
Cushing’s disease is a condition where the body produces too much cortisol steroid hormone. It is a fairly common condition in middle aged and older dogs, and the Miniature Schnauzer breed is also prone to it.
Common clinical signs include:
Diagnosis is often made on a series of blood tests and sampling the urine. Treatment depends on the type of Cushing’s your dog has, but medical management (oral tablets) can be used in most cases. Surgery is considered for some and requires referral to be performed by a specialist surgeon.
Sadly, Cushing’s disease cannot be cured, therefore the management is lifelong and can be costly. Fortunately, Vetsy is here to offer you low-cost, flexible and convenient pet care, where we can help to update prescriptions and significantly reduce the cost of ongoing medication.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Schnauzer book an appointment to Vetsy.
