{"id":824,"date":"2023-04-06T09:02:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T09:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/health\/"},"modified":"2023-04-28T09:03:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T09:03:50","slug":"health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/health\/","title":{"rendered":"Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Ataxia&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:21px|text_align:left|color:%23e7a31c&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text]Cerebellar Ataxia is a neurological disease, common in our breed. The first signs of the disease usually appear between the ages of 3 and 5 years in sufferers. Symptoms include loss of balance, difficulty coordinating, and falling while shaking the head. The disease is progressive and there is no cure. When these dogs are no longer able to walk, only through repeated trial and error, owners usually make the difficult choice to have their dog euthanized.<\/p>\n<p>Ataxia is a hereditary disease. This means that a dog that gets 2 defective copies (1 from each parent) of the coined gene can develop the disease. Ataxia is easy to test by having a DNA test done by a vet. In France there is a specialized lab that carries out these tests.<\/p>\n<p>There are 3 possible results:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Ataxia free (this dog will never develop and\/or pass on the disease)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Ataxia carrier (this dog will never develop the disease, but could possibly<\/p>\n<p>pass on if he\/she is bred with another carrier of this gene)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Ataxia sufferer (this dog will develop the disease and may also pass it on)<\/p>\n<p>The table below shows the probabilities for each of the various combinations<\/p>\n<p>pup to be clear\/carrier or sufferer..[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<style>\ntable {border: 1px solid #e7a31c;border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0 auto;  padding: 0px;table-layout: fixed;min-width: 100%;}table th {text-align: center;padding: 8px;border: 2px solid #e7a31c;color:#e7a31c;font-weight:bold;text-align:center}table td{padding: 8px;border: 1px solid #e7a31c;}table tr{background-color: None;color:#e7a31c;text-align:center;}<br \/><\/style>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Ataxia rash test<\/th>\n<th>Free<\/th>\n<th>Carrier<\/th>\n<th>Sufferer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Free<\/td>\n<td>100% of the puppies will be clear<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be clear<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be carriers<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>100% of the puppies will be carriers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Carrier<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be clear<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be carriers<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">25% of the puppies will be clear<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be carriers<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">25% of puppies will be affected<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be carriers<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of puppies will be affected<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sufferer<\/td>\n<td>100% of the puppies will be carriers<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of the puppies will be carriers<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">50% of puppies will be affected<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<div id=\"txt_368\" class=\"OBJ-1\">\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst P-1\"><span class=\"C-7\">100% of puppies will be affected<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">As you can see in the above list it is completely safe to breed with two ataxia free dogs <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">breed. This is also our absolute preference. But also with an ataxia free and an ataxia carrier <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">can you breed without sick puppies being born. We are certainly not against that, <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">an ataxia carrier can have many other health\/behavioral benefits. For improvement <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">of the breed it can certainly be an added value without sick puppies being born.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;HD (Hip Dysplasia)&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:21px|text_align:left|color:%23e7a31c&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1680170696340{margin-top: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">HD is a developmental disorder of the brain, determined by hereditary factors and external influences<\/span><span class=\"C-5\">hip joints. Some dogs experience severe discomfort and may go <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">limping. However, there are also dogs with HD that do not seem to be bothered by it. In general <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">the better the hips of the parent animals, the smaller the chance that the <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">offspring will develop HD. It is in no way a guarantee that offspring of <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">negatively rated dogs will also be negative, the chance is just bigger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">In the first year of life in particular, you have to be very careful about putting a burden on the <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">dog. The bones are not yet fully developed and overloading can lead to HD. <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">HD is officially tested using an x-ray of the hip joints. These photos <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">are made by a veterinarian and sent to Sint Hubertus for assessment. These <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">give the certificate with the results.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">The HD examination is for all American Staffordshire Terriers that have been used for breeding since July 1, 2008 <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">are required in Belgium. The minimum age for this study is 12 months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Dogs with HD\/A and HD\/B result may be used for breeding, dogs with HD\/C<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">may only be used if they are bred with a dog with HD\/A or HD\/B result.<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">For dogs with HD\/D and HD \/E result it is forbidden to breed with it.<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">These days, dogs with HD can have a great pain-free life. In some cases <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">it can even be cured A good treatment plan is important here. The treatment is based, among <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">others on medication, exercise, nutrition, surgery. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;ED (Elbow Dysplasia)&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:21px|text_align:left|color:%23e7a31c&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1680170729005{margin-top: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">The ED study focuses on 4 different disorders of the elbow joint, which <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">however, all can eventually lead to joint deformity and lameness. They are <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">developmental disorders, especially of the cartilage in joints that arise under the influence of<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">hereditary and other factors.<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Some dogs can already experience serious problems <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">at a young age. In others, the serious deformities in the joint will only lead <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">to lameness at a later age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">ED is officially tested using an x-ray of the elbow joints. These <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">photos are taken by a vet and sent to Sint Hubertus for assessment. <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">They give the certificate with the results.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">The ED test is not mandatory for the American Staffordshire Terrier. The official test can only take place <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">place at 18 months of age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">The following results are possible:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Free<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Border case<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Grade 1<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Grade 2<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">Grade 3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">In general, the better the elbows of the parents, the smaller the <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">chance that the offspring will develop ED. It is by no means a guarantee that <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">offspring of negatively assessed dogs will also be negative; the chance is just<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">higher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hoofdtekst\"><span class=\"C-5\">The treatment of ED depends, among other things, on the nature and severity of the abnormality, the<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">severity of the complaints, the age of the dog and any (complicating)<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">arthritic changes. Surgical treatment is often required. Osteoarthritis itself cannot <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">be treated surgically, not the symptom, but the cause.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Heart&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:21px|text_align:left|color:%23e7a31c&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1680170740105{margin-top: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">Heart defects are quite common with dogs. Heart defects can be hereditary, congenital <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">or obtained. Older dogs in particular often suffer from a leaky heart valve <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">or an abnormality of the heart muscle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">To prevent a hereditary abnormality, an ultrasound scan of the heart can be made. <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">This is used to view the heart with an ultrasound. The size of all rooms is measured. <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">It is also checked whether there are constrictions or leaks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">The symptoms of heart disease can be very minor in the beginning and therefore difficult to <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">recognize. However, as time passes, the conditions can become more serious. These <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">symptoms occur because fluid accumulates or because the vital organs are not<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">supplied with blood and therefore oxygen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">Symptoms can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Lethargy<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Poor appetite<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Weight loss<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Heavy breathing<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Cough<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Weakness<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Pass out<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Distended abdomen<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">In case of these symptoms, always contact your vet for further investigation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Skin and allergy problems&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:21px|text_align:left|color:%23e7a31c&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1680170749437{margin-top: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><strong><span class=\"C-5\">Grass Allergy:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">This is probably the most common allergy among the Amstaff. The symptoms are minor <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">red spots, usually on the abdomen. It is a seasonal problem (usually <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">spring). Most amstaffs grow out of this on their own once they have built up <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">enough resistance The dog itself will not be bothered by it. An aggressive <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">treatment does more harm than good. It is only necessary to intervene in <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">serious cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><strong><span class=\"C-5\">Food Allergy:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">In many problems, this is quickly identified as the underlying cause. Unfortunately <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">people do not point to the grains and corn in the diet, which undermine the resistance of many dogs,<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">but to an allergy to certain protein sources (eg chicken).<\/span> <\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">Hypo-allergenic feed is then a first step in the treatment, but hypo-allergenic feed<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">does not eliminate the grains and corn, but the proteins in this feed are artificially broken down to such an extent<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">made that the body no longer recognizes them. The danger of this method is that this <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">proteins travel through the body as free radicals due to this property,<\/span> a<span class=\"C-5\">nd can give an increased risk of tumors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\"><br \/>\n<strong>Demodex:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">The demodex mite is an external parasite that all dogs basically carry. They <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">get these transferred at a very young age, at a later age normally <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">no more infections take place The dog has a natural resistance that the population of this <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">parasite at a low level. Reducing that resistance can result in a multiplication of <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">the parasite that leads to problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">The most obvious symptoms are hair loss, red skin, sometimes pigmentation (dark coloring)<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">and flaking.<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">The cause of this problem always lies in the resistance and the best treatment is therefore<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">aimed at restoring the resistance and preferably not at combating the parasite itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">The lack of resistance can have a number of causes:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Hereditary, this is the most stubborn form and the most difficult to combat<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Age, which means that the resistance is still building up and not yet sufficiently up to standard<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">is (as with childhood diseases) In young dogs, in the case of limited complaints, it may therefore be best <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">to do nothing and wait to see whether the resistance reaches a level of its own where<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">the complaints disappear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Hormone changes (for example during the heat)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Other conditions such as infection, allergies, etc., which undermine the general<\/span> <span class=\"C-5\">resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; External causes such as poor nutrition, use of medication (antibiotics)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">Ways to support the resistance:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Good nutrition<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">&#8211; Probiotics<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Standaard P-4\"><span class=\"C-5\">Only if the situation deteriorates very much may it be necessary to resort to means that <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">kill the parasites themselves However, these agents are very toxic and therefore have <\/span><span class=\"C-5\">a negative effect on the dog&#8217;s resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Ataxia&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:21px|text_align:left|color:%23e7a31c&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text]Cerebellar Ataxia is a neurological disease, common in our breed. The first signs of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-824","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=824"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":938,"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/824\/revisions\/938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilingamigos.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}