Whoodle Health Issues

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Whoodles are adorable canine companions that can make a great addition to your home. They’re a combination of the soft-coated Wheaten terrier and the poodle, so this breed shares many traits with both parent breeds. Unfortunately, this also applies to the health issues that the parent breeds of these dogs share.

The good news is that knowing the health issues that may arise before they develop can help your dog enjoy a happy and healthy life. If you’re curious about any potential whoodle health issues you’re in the right place.

Read on to learn more below.

What Is a Whoodle?

A whoodle is a mix between two breeds; the poodle and the Wheaten terrier. These dogs inherited some of the best traits from their parent breeds, hence their playful personalities and high intelligence. What’s more, whoodles are happy to learn new tricks and can make a great addition to the family of first-time pet owners, as long as you research how to care for them.

You can tell you’re looking at a whoodle based on its soft and curly coat. When it comes to color, it can vary based on their parent breed with common colors including fawn, white, and blue merle.

Whoodles are also healthy dogs and with the right diet and exercise, they can live for 12-15 years. Still, there are some whoodle health issues you must consider before adopting.

What Are Common Whoodle Health Issues?

Whoodles may encounter some common health issues that occur among medium-sized dog breeds along with some breed-specific health issues. Sometimes, health issues are also dependent on the parent dogs, so it’s good to have some background information about a whoodle before adopting.

Some common health issues among whoodles include:

• Hip dysplasia and other joint problems that cause pain and degeneration
• Ear infections
• Allergies
• Heart problems
• Bloat
• Eye problems

Addison’s Disease

A common condition that can develop in poodles, as well as whoodles, is Addison’s disease. This is a condition that develops when the dog’s adrenal gland doesn’t produce enough corticosteroid hormone.

This can lead to weight loss, fatigue, weak pulse, shaking, and problems with heart rate. While this condition can be life-threatening for your dog, especially if it causes an Addisonian crisis that can result in shock, sudden collapse, and death. The good news is that Addison’s disease can be managed with medications as long as it’s diagnosed properly.

Whelping Nephropathy and Enteropathy

Whelping nephropathy and enteropathy is a common problem that many wheaten terriers encounter. It’s a condition that causes a dog to lose proteins or plasma in their blood. Usually, it develops due to a loss of kidney function or a decline in the kidneys.

The condition may develop at any age but it’s more common for it to occur as your whoodle increases in age. The signs and symptoms may include a decrease in appetite, fatigue, weight loss, and vomiting. Unfortunately, whoodles have a predisposition to this type of protein decline, so it’s important to take them to the vet immediately if you notice these problems.

Cushing’s Disease

Another rare condition that’s common in poodles is Cushing’s disease. It’s less common in whoodles because they also have genes from Wheaton terriers but it’s still possible. This condition covers a blanket of health conditions that systematically target the dog’s coat and skin.

Most whoodles with Cushing’s disease will lose their fur and develop skin rashes. Some signs of this condition include bloating, excessive panting, fatigue, frequent urination, and hair loss.

How to Prevent Whoodle Health Issues

Preventing whoodle health issues isn’t always simple but there are some steps you can take. First and foremost, have your whoodle tested for any generic conditions from a young age. Then, keep up annual vet visits to keep an eye on health problems before they develop. You can also feed them a diet that’s appropriate for medium-sized dogs and help them get plenty of exercise to avoid heart conditions, obesity, and joint problems.

Also, if you notice symptoms of fatigue and weight loss, bring them to the vet to have them checked for Addison’s disease. When caught early, it’s a treatable condition.

Adopt a Whoodle Today

Whoodles have some health issues that you need to be aware of before you consider adopting. While some of these health issues can be severe, you can always manage them with routine visits to the vet and being proactive. Now that you’ve learned about any potential whoodle health issues, consider adopting one today!