Common Health Concerns in the Pomeranian
This is a list of the most common problems found in the breed. Remember, even the most conscientious breeder may have problems, however, since they are screening for genetic problems, you have a better chance of having a healthy puppy.
Collapsing Tracheas
Collapsing trachea is a common problem found in Poms. If your pom makes a honking noise or sounds like he is coughing up a hairball, the problem may be his trachea. It can be diagnosed with a x-ray and usually medication is prescribed to reduce coughing. This can be a life-threatening problem, so do not ignore it.
Heart
Heart problems can range from very slight to life threatening. Some are impossible to diagnose until a sudden death occurs. Enlarged hearts are very common in toy breeds and can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF). Be sure to have your dog checked as he ages. Diagnosis before the problem becomes serious along with current medication can extend the life of Pomeranians with heart issues.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia can occur in young Pomeranians. It is more common in the very small or very active puppies. Be sure that your breeder gives you complete instructions on how to determine if your puppy is starting to develop hypoglycemia. It is frequently caused by internal parasites such as coccidia, giardia or campylobacter, so be sure you vet runs a fecal on your puppy after it has an episode of hypoglycemia, as treating the cause is essential to ensuring it doesn’t happen again. It is a problem that the puppy outgrows as they mature and become more resistant to stress. The stress of going to a new home can easily dispose a small puppy to hypoglycemia who was previously the picture of health. Adult hypoglycemia is a serious metabolic disorder. Dogs who have this should not be bred.
Luxating Patellas
Luxating patellas (knees that slip out of place) are the most common problem in the Pomeranian breed. The knees are graded according to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). Normal knees are, of course the most desirable, but Grades One and Two are more common and not unusual in toy breeds. Grades Three and Four may require surgery, sometimes early on in the dog’s life. Be sure to check the knees of any prospective puppy. One with higher grades at a young age will probably be a candidate for surgery.
OFA has forms to fill out on the grade of the patella’s and both parents should have their results on file. Remember, only a “normal” result may appear in the database. Request to see a copy of the results from your breeder, when you are visiting your new puppy.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is very common in the Pomeranian breed. Ask to see the results of the thyroid tests of the parents of the puppy you are considering. OFA has a registry for dogs who submit tests for thyroid.
Alopecia X
There is a coat loss problem in Pomeranians called SHLS (Severe Hair Loss Syndrome), or Alopecia X. It is also known as Black Skin Disease. It occurs in both males and females, but more frequently among males. They may have profuse puppy coats with no guard hairs, which does not shed as expected during pupppyhood. When the puppy coat does finally shed, the coat does not grow back. Another version of the same condition happens at a later age, with a normal appearing coat that slowly starts to thin, starting at the back of the thighs and buttocks and moving up the back. Ask to see the parents of the dog you are buying to ensure they do not suffer from alopecia, but be aware that healthy dams do shed most of their coat following the whelping of a litter, and that is normal.
The American Pomeranian Club stands united in its opposition to euthanasia of otherwise healthy Pomeranian dogs who have Alopecia X sometimes known as Black Skin Disease.
Official Statement of the American Pomeranian Club
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump, her adored Pomeranian Jiggy, and the American Pomeranian Club invite you to join in the search for a genetic marker for Alopecia X (also known as black skin disease or BSD, a severe, unexplained coat loss in otherwise healthy dogs). Please donate now to the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s studies on Alopecia X. See: Donate For Health Research.
Neither Mrs. Vanderpump nor the American Pomeranian Club condones euthanasia of dogs affected by Alopecia X or any other non life threatening health problem.
Seizures
Some Pomeranians have idiopathic epilepsy.
Idiopathic means that we don’t know what causes it.
Liver problems, kidney problems, head trauma and
other reasons may cause seizures. Idiopathic
epilepsy typically occurs between 3-7 years of age
and is thought to be inherited. Seizures can be very
frightening to someone who has never seen one before
and can manifest in many different ways. Look at the
epilepsy website to gain a better understanding of
the problem.
Eyes
A Veterinarian who is trained to do CERF testing can
check eyes for genetic problems. CERF (Canine Eye
Registry Foundation) has a form and a database to
check the parents of the puppy you are considering.
To date. there have not been many eye problems
found, but that may be because not many dogs have
been tested. Ask to see the CERF results of the
parents of the puppy.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP)
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP) is a disorder of
the hip joint conformation occurring in both humans
and dogs. In dogs, it is most often seen in the
miniature and toy breeds between the ages of 4
months to a year.
LCP results when the blood supply to the femoral
head is interrupted resulting in avascular necrosis,
or the death of the bone cells. Followed by a period
of revascularization, the femoral head is subject to
remodeling and/or collapse creating an irregular fit
in the acetabulum, or socket. This process of bone
cells dying and fracturing followed by new bone
growth and remodeling of the femoral head and neck,
can lead to stiffness and pain
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic disease that causes
arthritis in the hip joint leading to pain and
lameness. The arthritis is caused by an irregularly
shaped hip socket that places additional wear on the
joint. Dogs can be screened for hip dysplasia
through x-rays submitted and read by the specialists
at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
