Beagle Obesity The Impact on Joint Health and Mobility

Beagle Health Issues: 7 Common Diseases to Look Out For

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Beagles are generally considered to be a healthy dog breed that does not have many health issues if they are cared for properly. Most health issues that a beagle may acquire will depend on their genetics, diet, and care.

The beagle may be hardy, but there are still some common health issues that this dog breed has been known to get, which we will discuss in this article.

The 7 Common Beagle Health Issues

1. Obesity

Beagles can become obese quite easily which puts them at risk of developing other health issues such as joint problems. The beagle has short legs with a long, rounded torso which means that the beagles legs take a toll with all the extra weight on their bodies.

This dog breed is also known for having a hearty appetite, which makes it important to feed your beagle a healthy and balanced diet suited to their lifestyle. If your beagle does become obese, a veterinarian can help you take the right measures to get your beagle back into shape and help manage their weight with the correct diet and exercise.

2. Canine Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

This is a painful condition that occurs when part of a beagles spinal disc ruptures or slips out of place and presses on the spinal cord. This affects a beagles mobility, and they may show a lot of discomfort even when completing basic tasks like walking around, getting up out of a resting position, or going up and down stairs. A beagle may also yelp when performing activities and may present a variety of symptoms. IVDD is usually a degenerative condition of the spinal discs but signs may appear to come on suddenly.

3. Cherry Eye

Cherry eyes occur when the third eyelid gland prolapses (pops out), and it can be caused by a weakened or broken attachment. It is most common in beagles that are younger than 2 or 3 years of age and if the condition is left untreated, it can progress to other health issues such as conjunctivitis. The third eyelid gland is usually secured at the eyes inner rim with a fibrous attachment, however, if the tissue deteriorates it can lead to cherry eye, which looks like a circular red bulge in the middle corner of the eye.

This condition is uncomfortable, and your beagle may paw at their eye and have difficulty closing and opening their eyes fully.

4. Canine Hip Dysplasia

Beagles are prone to hip dysplasia which happens when the beagles hip sockets and ball do not develop properly or are damaged from high-impact activities. The ball and socket will have some laxity and fit poorly together, eventually resulting in arthritic pain and poor mobility of the hind legs. This health issue can be caused by a combination of environmental factors, obesity, or genetics where the parent beagles have passed on the hip dysplasia gene to their litter.

5. Canine Otitis Externa

Since beagles have long, droopy ears, they are at risk of developing ear infections and problems with their ears. There are many different causes of otitis externa in beagles, whether from a disease of their ear from parasites to infections and inflammation of their ear.

This condition causes your beagles ears to look inflamed, and swollen, and infections may cause a yellow discharge to leak out. This can cause the Beagle to shake their head in discomfort, which can cause further issues to develop from the constant head shaking, pawing, and rubbing of their ears.

6. Hypothyroidism

This is caused by a dysfunction of a beagles thyroid gland which affects their metabolism, activity levels, and heart rate. An idiopathic thyroid gland disease or lymphocytic thyroiditis (immune-mediated illness) can cause hypothyroidism in beagles.

It is believed that genetics play a role in the development of this condition, with lymphocytic thyroiditis being the main cause of hypothyroidism in dogs when the immune system sees the thyroid as foreign in the body and fights it.

When it comes to idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy, the normal tissue in the thyroid is replaced with adipose tissue. This condition can be managed with the help of a veterinarian; however, it cannot be cured. Treatment typically includes hormone therapy replacement or chronic medication that will need to be administered to your beagle daily.

7. Epilepsy

Epilepsy in beagles is usually a hereditary condition; however, it can also be caused by certain illnesses such as distemper, toxins, trauma, and blood chemistry issues. This is a chronic disease that causes repeated seizures and can greatly lower your beagles quality of life. Beagles suffering from a seizure brought on by epilepsy will shake, drool, lose consciousness, and suffer from muscle twitching.

It is important to take your beagle to the veterinarian right away and take the correct measures to ensure your beagle is not at risk of being injured while seizing.

Conclusion

All dog breeds are prone to developing health issues. However, these are the most common health issues that have been identified in beagles. By ensuring that your beagle is kept healthy with a good diet, regular exercise, and routine veterinarian check-ups, then you can help keep your beagle healthy. Genetic conditions may be difficult to prevent, but most can be avoided by getting your beagle from a trustworthy breeder.

Featured Image Credit: Nestor Rizhniak, Shutterstock

The Impact of Obesity on Joint Health

When discussing health conditions caused by obesity, we most often hear about diabetes and heart disease. But did you know your weight can have a significant impact on your bones, joints and muscles, too? With nearly 40% of American adults considered obese¹, it has become one of the most common diseases to adversely affect bone and joint health.

The percentage of adults with obesity has more than doubled over the past 30 years, and at the current rate, 50% of American adults are expected to be diagnosed as obese by 2030². With these staggering statistics, its time to take a closer look at the impact of obesity on joint and bone health.

Joint damage caused by obesity

Obesity contributes to the wear-and-tear of the joints, eventually leading to osteoarthritis. The more weight that is placed on a joint the more stressed the joint becomes, causing it to wear down and become damaged. As the smooth surface at the ends of bones, or cartilage, becomes damaged and worn, you feel pain and stiffness in the joint. This can also cause swelling.

Extra weight also puts pressure on the tendons, or connecting tissue around the joints. These tendons connect muscles to the bones. The extra load on the joints from additional weight causes the tendon to become inflamed, leading to tendonitis.

The effects of obesity are felt especially in the hip and knee joints. In fact, each pound of body weight is equivalent to four pounds of pressure on each knee joint. For example, a person who is 10 pounds overweight has an extra 40 pounds of pressure on their knees; a person who is 100 pounds overweight has an additional 400 pounds of weight on their knees. With the number of steps we take and adding any incline, its easy to see how the added pressure would lead to significant damage in weight-bearing joints.

Joint replacement complications

Obese patients are 20 times more likely to need a knee replacement than people who are not overweight. The number of total knee replacements in patients with obesity doubled from 2002 to 2009.

There are numerous complications obesity creates with joint replacement surgery. Some studies have found a higher chance of blood clots, infection and dislocation after a hip replacement. The surgery takes longer, leading to an extended period of anesthesia in patients who are obese. The recovery often takes longer as well.

Furthermore, those with a high body mass index (BMI) often develop arthritis at a younger age. Needing joint replacement at a younger age complicates treatment because the replacement is more likely to wear out in the patients lifetime.

Weight loss to reduce joint pain

If you are diagnosed with obesity, it is essential to recognize what the excess weight means for your joints and bones. The good news is you can lose weight to ease the pressure on your joints. A weight-loss program can help you achieve a healthy weight and decrease your chances of developing arthritis or joint pain.

However, we recognize that is often easier said than done. Exercise can sometimes be difficult and painful for overweight people. Our bone and joint experts recommend gentle, low-impact workouts when starting a weight-loss program. Try these exercises if you are overweight.

If you need expert help, the physical therapists at Cary Orthopaedics can create an individualized program to help you regain strength and mobility while minimizing pain. You can make an appointment without a prescription by contacting one of our Triangle locations today.

Sources:

1 https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

2 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-trends/

Obesity in beagles is a life-altering situation that can be remedied and controlled. Up to 60% of all dogs are considered overweight, with nearly 50% of those being obese, which is considered more than 30% above their ideal weight range. Which leads us to the question: Why Do Beagles Get Fat? Lets discuss this.

Wait My Beagle is Fat?!

Does your dog look like they just consumed a football? Hate to tell you this they may be fat. Lets talk more in-depth.

General Weight Guidelines

• Adult beagles that are 13 inches or less [from the top of their shoulder blades to the floor], should be under 20 pounds.
• Adult beagles that are 13 to 15 inches, should be between 20 to 30 pounds.

Now dont be remiss if your beagle doesnt fit into these parameters. Some beagles may be slightly taller or have a larger-than-average bone structure, or maybe their breed is mixed with another larger breed.

The other thing to keep in mind is not to be too concerned about an overweight beagle puppy. Mainly, because they dont really exist. Puppies carry additional fat resulting in a fuller, rounder look. Its used to regulate proper body temperature and is used to help fuel their rapidly growing physiques. Most beagle puppys physiques are considered fully grown once theyve reached the 1.5-year mark.

Now If your adult beagle has gained [excluding a growing beagle puppy] or lost weight rapidly, and or you feel that something is off about your beagles weight, consult your veterinarian. Better to be safe than sorry.

Observational Weight Guidelines

• Underweight: Ribs, spine and/or pelvic bones are clearly visible, even from a distance.
• Ideal Weight: Can feel ribs upon gentle petting. Their waistline is obviously thinner than their upper body when viewed from above.
• Overweight: Ribs cannot be felt upon gentle petting. No difference is observed between the size of their upper body and the size of their waist when viewed from above.
• Obese: Ribs felt only with pressure. Their waistline is the same size or wider than the upper body. Abdominal distention.

Ideal Weight Detailed

• View from above: You should be able to observe an inward curve between the ribs and their rib cage.
• View from the side: There should be a gradual but evident up-curve, where the abdomen meets the rib cage.
• Feel the tail: You should be able to feel where the base of their tail meets their spine.
• Feel the ribs: Can you feel defined ribs. Your dog is clearly overweight/obese if you cannot feel the ribs at all.

What Are The Health Risks For An Overweight Beagle?

Canine obesity is a silent killer. Its up to you to help your little buddy maintain a healthy and full life. Some health ailments that are attributed to obesity are:

• Shorter life span [potentially years less]
• Increased strain on the cardiovascular, muscular and respiratory systems
• Damage to internal organs
• Bone and joint damage
• Arthritis
• Renal disease
• Muscle loss
• Liver disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Canine diabetes
• Heat intolerance
• Increased risk of some cancers
• Lower immune system function
• Slower recovery from surgery

Why Do Beagles Get Fat?

Just like their human counterparts, obesity can be brought on by both medical and non-medical variables.

Age

As beagles age, they are more likely to become overweight, as they tend to naturally tend to lose some muscle mass and tend to be more sedentary as they age.

Gender

Female beagles have a higher propensity to become overweight than their male counterparts. Spaying further increases the odds.

Overindulging

This really falls on us. Heck, your beagle can even look to eating more when theyre stressed, bored or anxious or depressed; just like we do. Bottom line: If your beagle has access to an unlimited supply of food or treats throughout the day and night, what do we expect could happen? Yes, an occasional treat never hurt anybody. But they dont need a treat for everything.

Aww, Skyler blinked. How cute. He deserves a treat. Dont be like that.

Lack of Activity

This falls back on us too. Sure, we humans all want to be able to lounge about lazily like Garfield the Cat and not have a care in the world. However, that doesnt mean we should actually apply that careless logic onto ourselves or onto our beagles. A sedentary lifestyle will have them super-sized in no time.

Sterilization/Surgery

For the average beagle owner, having your pup spayed or neutered is a preferable and healthier option for your pet. One thing that results from their subsequent sterilization is their hormones change. This biochemistry alteration in their body results in their increased appetite and a slower metabolism.

Medications & Diseases

Biologically, medicine and diseases can widely alter many aspects of a beagles mind and bodily functions.

Food-Related Issues Regarding Your Overweight Beagle

Here are some tried-and-true recipes for success, for getting your beagle to a healthy weight. Remember, if its just you and your beagle its easier to control their weight.

If you have a family, make sure they are on the same page as you, because otherwise there may be unintended self-sabotage that will happen.

Dont allow your beagle to start a begging behavior. They can become master manipulators with those puppy dog eyes. Dont fall prey to this tactic. Realize that in nature, wild dogs engorge themselves because they dont know when their next meal will be. In a domestic environment, that coping mechanism isnt necessary for them with responsible dog ownership.

Commercial Dog Food

A general rule of thumb regardless if you feed your beagle, canned or dried dog food, that you should follow would be:

• High in protein
• Moderate in fats
• Low in carbohydrates

Most commercial dog foods use a disproportionately higher amount of carbohydrates and/or bulking agents, not to mention enough additives to make your head spin. I mean, really? Why does dog food need coloring? Clearly, its not for your dog. Its all consumer-driven. You should try to deviate from corn, soy, MSG, fillers or body-products. Ideally, the product should be manufactured in the United States or your respective country.

If you want to ensure that your beagle remains or becomes full of energy and enthusiasm, it wont hurt to provide them food products that are made with a complete nutritional profile.Yes, with that being said Im all for a great deal just like anybody else. Higher quality dog food does tend to be more expensive. However, this is an investment in your beagles health and future, so its more than worthwhile.

Simply put: Its better to spend a little more being proactive, then to spend a lot more being reactive.

Home-Cooked Dog Food

Are you one of those types that makes their beagle their own food? Much respect is definitely given. Dogs are in fact omnivores with a carnivorous bias. That being said: Make sure to include an abundant supply of meats + vegetables while curbing the number of grains and starches.

Dont worry about the energy aspect of the grains/starches. The vegetables will provide an ample source of energy. Not only that, but they contain a plethora of vitamins and minerals that will fortify your dogs immune system, rendering them less susceptible to other issues.

When choosing grades of meat, you should try to gravitate toward lean cuts of meat. Fish is great, just be mindful of any mercury content. Protein will help build and maintain strong muscles, which will accordingly burn fat. How? Because just like humans; the more muscle we have, the higher their basal metabolic rate [BMR]. This essentially means the more muscle they have, the more calories they burn at rest and during activity.

Finally, when concocting your beagles dishes, it would be beneficial to add a small amount of fat, such as fish oil, into their food. Recent studies have shown that beagles can benefit from a healthy oil such as that, as it is chock full of omega-3 fatty acids, that can help curb hunger, combat inflammation and improve mobility.

If you seek additional insight into this topic, we discussed it in a previous article here: Beagle Home Cooked Food: A Culinary Guide

Food Quantity and Scheduling

Not only is the type of food that you feed your beagle important, but the quantity and how their food is scheduled also plays a big impact. Dont allow the never-ending love in your heart, equate to a never-ending supply of food. That also means dont let them get comfortable with table scraps. Remember, your beagles daily caloric intake is exponentially less than yours.

Speaking of calories: Food labels on packages arent standardized in terms of their portions. Youd be much better off calculating calories and then adjust it accordingly to the measurement.

Automatic Food Dispenser

Your beagles food intake should be fed to them in 2 to 4 smaller portions daily. If your work schedule doesnt allow you to feed them that many portions daily, you may wish to consider an automatic food dispenser that you can control when the food is dispensed on a timed schedule or even remotely via your smartphone.

If youre needing some help with spacing out your beagles meal portions (like I did), a WestLink Automatic Dog Food Dispenser can work wonders.

Slow-Feed Bowl

Another way to control their portions is to encourage moderated eating through different means. Ever heard of a slow-feeding bowl? It works on the principle that by having their food displaced instead of all in one mound, it makes it more difficult for your beagle to scarf their food down.

If youre looking for a highly-rated one, Amazon has one: Outward Hound Fun Slow-Feeder Bowl

Be sure to keep in mind that most commercial dog food labels are notoriously bad in terms of their feeding guidelines. Why? When doing the calculations, the dog food manufacturers generally figure that your dog is an un-spayed and un-neutered active dog in their prime. In that sense, you may be overindulging your beagle by over 20% over the amount they actually need.

Generally, assuming your beagle is healthy overall with no pre-existing conditions, you will generally be able to self-regulate their consumption and be able to keep their weight in check, based on their age, size, and the amount of physical activity. If you are in need of additional guidance or your beagle has health-related issues that have to be taken into account, your best bet is to consult your veterinarian.

Mitigate the Munchies

Did your beagle just go to the bathroom outside, and you or your family is compelled to give them a treat? That might be all well and good when youre first housebreaking them, but do they really need that treat 3 years later after potty training has finished, and they are 5 lbs overweight. Absolutely not.

Not to say that treats shouldnt be given. Of course, they can. Just be sure to provide more nutritious treats to your pup is all we ask.

Some examples of healthy, wholesome treats that you may wish to give a bite-sized amount can be:

• Apples [no seeds or core]
• Bananas [No peels]
• Broccoli
• Blueberries
• Carrots
• Celery
• Melon
• Sweet potatoes
• Salmon
• Tuna

Exercise That Beagles Body

Beagles that have become fat are part of a minority since intrinsically they are a very active breed. As such, they rarely become overweight, as long as there are no existing health conditions or the other predominant issue that leads to their obesity: lazy owners.

Keeping your beagle moving and grooving has many benefits, as they will for you undoubtedly if youre exercising with them. Some mutual benefits include:

• Helps promote weight loss or healthy weight maintenance
• Limit anxiety and depression
• Lowered bad cholesterol + heightened good cholesterol levels.
• Mitigated risk of diabetes
• Stronger joints and greatly flexibility/mobility
• Greater cardiac health

If your beagle is obese, be sure to consult your veterinarian to produce an effective weight loss plan that will be specially made for your beagle to minimize overexertion or risk of injury. Walking is an excellent exercise for most dogs, it tends to have a lower impact on joints, and doesnt overstress the cardiovascular system.

As your beagle starts a new exercise plan, youll want to build up their strength and endurance slowly; starting with leisurely walks to eventually for 5-10 minutes to eventually gradually upping the time duration, then subsequently the exercise intensity through speed and/or terrain. 3 to 4 times per day daily is a healthy start and maintenance point.

The key is to make the exercise enjoyable for them. Toys, treats, encouragement and most importantly your time, are all great rewards to your beagle.

Final Thoughts

A beagle is a very fortunate breed with relatively few health concerns and loves activity. Ensuring that your beagle is kept within a controlled weight range, will ensure their happier, healthier and longer life.

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