Keeshond Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Keeshond Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Keeshond puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Keeshond lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Keeshond are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Keeshond will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Keeshond puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Keeshond be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Keeshond? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Keeshond suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Keeshond health problems
Keeshonds are affected by several forms of cataracts. Those that appear early (4-5 months old) or late (around 6 years old) often progress to blindness.
On the plus side, cataracts that appear at 6-24 months old seldom impair vision.
Other eye diseases in Keeshonds include eyelash abnormalities, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Epilepsy is a serious concern in Keeshonds.
So is heart disease, and the Kees is susceptible to four different forms of heart disease: patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, valve disease, and septal defects.
Skin problems are common in the breed, ranging from chronic allergies to "hot spots" to follicular dysplasia (hair loss) to sebaceous cysts.
Cancer (melanoma and others) is an increasing concern in the breed.
The most common orthopedic diseases in Keeshonds are luxating patella (loose knees), hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia.
The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 5100 Keeshonds and found 7% dysplastic. Similarly, 8% of 1300 elbow X-rays were evaluated as dysplastic. These rates are moderately high – many medium-sized breeds have higher rates, while others have lower rates.
Hormonal/endocrine system diseases are somewhat common in Keeshonds, including diabetes, Cushing's disease, and hypothyroidism.
According to the Michigan State University Thyroid Database, up to 12% of Keeshonds have low thyroid levels.
Other health issues reported in Keeshonds include blood-clotting disease (von Willebrand's) and kidney disease.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Keeshond in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website