Afghan Hound Health Problems

It is highly recommended to obtain an Afghan Hound puppy or Afghan Hound dog from a reputable breeder. Most common breed-related hereditary and conformation disorders include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, demodicosis, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, and retinal dysplasia.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Perhaps the best known hereditary eye disease is PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) in which the retina, the light sensitive membrane at the back of the eye, degenerates from puppyhood during life.

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Retinal Dysplasia - Inherited Eye Disorder

Retinal Dysplasia (RD) is a congenital, local or generalized malformation of the retina that may result from trauma, a genetic defect, or damage caused by a viral infection, such as herpesvirus and parvovirus. Most forms of retinal dysplasia in dogs are inherited..

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Demodicosis, Demodex Mange

Demodicosis, also called Demodex mange, is an allergic reaction to Demodex mites. Some breeds of dogs are predisposed to this skin disorder. They include American Staffordshire terrier, Afghan Houn, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Chihuahua, Shar-Pei, Collie, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd Dog, Great Dane and Old English sheepdog.
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Cataracts

Cataracts are white opacities in the lenses of the eyes that impair vision or cause blindness. They frequently develop in young animals of certain breeds, such as the English cocker spaniel and the Poodle. Cataracts may be present at birth (congenital) or develop later and are caused by infections, injuries, poor nutrition, radiation therapy or toxins..

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an increased pressure inside the eye which is incompatible with the health of the eye. Glaucoma occurs when fluid withing the eye cannot exit causing the pressure to rise.

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Hip Dysplasia

In general, hip dysplasia can be described as a poor fit between the two bones of the hip joint - the femur and the acetabulum - and is caused by malformation of one or the other. either the head of the femur is flattened causing it to slip out of the socket, or a shallowness of the acetabulum causes the femur to slip out. HD causes stiffness in the hindlegs, considerable pain in the more severe cases and difficulty of movement. It generally manifests itself in puppyhood and can be noticed by the time the young dog is two months of age.

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Other disorders include:
corneal dystrophy - a condition resulting in chronic ulcers of the cornea;
hypothyroidism - a condition when a dog's body underproduces thyroid hormones which results from the destruction of the thyroid gland.