The breed can be affected with a genetic skin related disorder and is present from birth in puppies DNA. Dermoid Sinus is a tube of skin that joins the outer surface of the skin to the spinal cord. It may or may not contain hair follicles or be lined with hair. As the hair sheds on the outer coat of the pup,so does hair inside the tube. The body's natural response to dead material is to flush it out,this causes serum to build up and expels the debris. Not all of the dermoid sinues are ture tubes. Some are hollow and the serum and debris cannot drain. You should be able to buy a puppy without this problem very easily. However some breeders are either ignorant of the problem or do not know how to check for it. Being told a vet has checked the litter is OK provided the vet knows about the condition and how to detect it. If left undetected,a sinus becomes a very big problem and causes a lot of pain and suffering. What looks like a lump,often along the dog’s neck and shoulder area,is in fact a kind of abscess often reaching into the spinal cord,needless to say it is excruciating for the dog and very difficult and costly to operate on,often with little success. Make sure that your puppy has been competently and regularly checked for this condition.
OCD
Being a large breed that grows fast, some puppies can be susceptible to OCD (Osteochondrosis). This is believed to be partly inherited and partly environmental. How you rear your puppy and feed it,is very important.
HIP DYSPLASIA
Although hip dysplasia is not a big problem in ridgebacks,it does occur. Hip dysplasia means that the hip bones are not fully in the sockets. This can sometimes cause a problem early on or can show up much later in a dog’s life,it is very painful to the dog and eventually they will be unable to walk. Certain families carry a higher incidence of HD than others do.
Check that the parents and hopefully the grandparents of your puppy have been scored,and that they have a low score.
The average for the breed is 11 for both hips,and the maximum score for any one dog is 106. The hip score of the parents is now printed on the puppies KC registration form; if it is not there,the parents have not been scored. Breeders can come out with a variety of excuses about why they have not had their dogs checked,but since it is not expensive when you consider the price of a puppy,and can cause great distress to you the owner,as well as your dog,do not accept these excuses.
BLOAT/GASTRIC DILATION
This is a serious emergency condition and it is a killer. It is worth taking the time and trouble to educate yourself and if nothing else learn how to recognise the symptoms so should the situation arise you can get your dog prompt veterinary treatment and hopefully avoid disaster.
XYLITOL POISONING(Chewing Gum)
Is a sugar alternative present in SUGAR FREE chewing gum, some sweets,mints and some baked goods. Although a healthy option for us it is extremely toxic to dogs and if ingested can be fatal.
Chocolate and Cocoa Bean Mulch Poisoning
Chocolate contains THEOBROMINE which is toxic to dogs. Toxic doses can vary according to size of dog and the cocoa content. Cocoa bean mulch is a by-product of chocolate made from cocoa bean shells and a favourite with gardeners. Dogs are attracted to it's sweet smell but again ingested can be fatal.
PLEASE NOTE - Ridgebacks are as prone as all other dogs to health problems be they mongrels or purebred, in fact sometimes they seem to be too healthy. Give a Ridgeback good food, care and attention, and most importantly, lots of love, and you will have a happy contented dog for many years. Bitches can be prone to phantom pregnancies; it is wise to have her spayed after her first season if you are not going to breed from her. It is NOT necessary for a bitch to have puppies “for her own good” before she is neutered.
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