Pomeranians: The Adorable Creatures

Pomeranians: The Adorable Creatures

Here are other characteristics found in Pomeranians:

• This dog will bark a lot.

• This dog can be possessive of toys and food. He likes to show that he is the boss.
• If your dog is bored and gets separation anxiety when left alone, they will find something to do. They might make a mess or make noise.
• It is hard to teach an animal how to use the bathroom outside.
• They are breakable and can be hurt because they are small.
• Pomeranian is a great dog. It loves people, and it is gentle. But it can be independent, and sometimes, it will not listen to you. You have to teach it how to do things so that it will be a loyal pet in your family!

Pomeranians are not that big. They came from Germany, but then people made them smaller. Queen Victoria had them in 19th century England. Poms like to be around humans and bond quickly. They enjoy performing for other people and always want to be the center of attention. Poms live an average of 15 years, but they are generally healthy.

More about Pomeranians’ Health

You love your dog want to take good care of it. That is why we have taken the time to tell you about the risks she might face as she gets older as a Pomeranian. We can set up a plan to help prevent these risks by knowing these risks.

Many illnesses and health conditions are genetic. This means they come from a dog’s breed. There is a general agreement among researchers and vets that the situation we’ve talked about often happens in this type of dog or has a significant impact on these dogs.

Don’t worry. Your dog may never have these problems. But she is more likely than other dogs to have problems. We will tell you about the most common things that happen to Pomeranians so that you know what might happen in the future. Always ask us if your dog has any unusual signs or symptoms.

This guide has general health information for dogs and how to take care of your dog. Read it carefully, so you’ll know what you need to do if your dog is sick. Pay special attention to the most important genetic predispositions for Pomeranians. We have also included tips on what you can do at home to keep your pet feeling good.

What You Need to Know About Your Pomeranian’s Health

Dental Disease

Dental disease is a common problem in pets. It affects 80% of all dogs by age two. Your Pomeranian is more likely to have this problem than other kinds of dogs. Dental disease starts with tartar on the teeth, and it will get worse, even to the point where your pet’s teeth can fall out, or they can get an infection.

If we don’t treat or prevent dental disease, your dog may lose his teeth and be in danger of health problems. His life span will be shorter by one to three years. We’ll clean your dog’s teeth and let you know what you can do at home.

Infections

Pomeranians are still not safe from getting infections, but there are ways to prevent them. If your dog is over six months old, you can vaccinate her against these infections. I will tell you which ones I recommend based on the age of your pet and the diseases common in our area.

Obesity

Obesity is a severe disease that some Pomeranians have. It can cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic disorders, back pain, and heart disease. You should not give your pal food when she looks at you with those soulful eyes. Instead, you should hug her or brush her fur or teeth - do something to make her happy.

Parasites

Wounds and sores can develop on the surface of your Pom Pom’s body, inside and out. Fleas, ticks, ear mites, hookworms, roundworms, heartworms, and whipworms may all infest her skin and ears. Drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated dirt, or being bitten by an infected mosquito might all lead to hookworm infections in your dog.

Some parasites can be passed on to people or pets. They can make them feel bad, and they might even die. We give your pet medicine so they won’t have these parasites anymore.

Spay or Neuter

If you have a dog, it is essential to have her spayed. We will surgically remove the uterus and ovaries in females and the testicles in males. Neutering your pet will decrease the chances of certain types of cancer, and they can’t have puppies or get pregnant.

This surgery gives us a chance to identify and address diseases your pet is likely to develop. We can do this while they are under anesthesia for the surgery. For example, we might need to take hip X-rays or perform a puppy tooth extraction. It is more convenient for you and easier for your friend if we do it at this time rather than later. We will talk about the specific problems we will be looking for when the time comes together with you.

Inherited Health Conditions in Pomeranians

Heart Disease

Pomeranians can get heart disease early and later in their lives. We’ll listen to your pet’s heart and then tell you if there is a problem. If we find issues, we may need to do x-rays or an echocardiogram. But taking care of your dog’s teeth and weight can help prevent heart disease.

• Poms can have a condition called patent ductus arteriosus or PDA. This is when the blood vessel between the two parts of the heart does not close as it should after birth. This can cause fluid build-up and put pressure on the heart. There may also be signs such as coughing, being tired during exercise, weight loss, shortness of breath, and weakness in their legs.
• Heart failure is a common disease in Pomeranians in their golden years. Most heart disease is caused by the weakening or slow deformity of heart valves. When this happens, they don’t close tightly, and blood leaks back around the weakened valves. This strains the heart and causes a murmur that can be heard with a stethoscope. If your dog has a murmur or outward signs suggesting heart problems, we will perform tests to determine how severe the condition is. We will need to repeat the test every year to monitor it closely.
• Pom has a situation where the signal to the heart is not proper. If this happens, Pom may faint while exercising. Mild cases can be treated with medicine, but if symptoms are more severe, better care may be needed. We will do an ECG test of his heart each year and before he goes to surgery so we can provide the best care for your friend.

Eye Problems

Pomeranians can get eye problems. They could go blind if they are not treated right away. You should always check to see if their eyes are healthy at each visit.

• Cataracts are a frequent reason for blindness in older Poms. When we go through him, we’ll look for the lenses of his eyes to become more opaque—that is, appear foggy rather than transparent—in order to diagnose cataracts. Many dogs tolerate the loss of their vision well and adapt quickly. Surgery to restore sight and remove cataracts may be an option depending on the circumstances.
• Your Pomeranian is at risk for entropion, which means that the eyelid rolls in, so it touches your dog’s eyeball. The rubbing can be very irritating and painful. If you see this happening, take the dog to the vet. They might need surgery, so they don’t go blind.
• Dogs can get an eye disease called “distichiasis.” It’s when there are extra hairs on their eyelids that get in the way of their eye. If they are not treated, the hairs get into the dog’s eyes and poke them. The hair can also cause corneal ulcers, which is a sore on your eyeball. There are different ways to cure this disease, but one way is to remove the extra hairs with surgery. Surgery usually makes dogs better again.

Bone Problems

Many different health problems have been found in Pomeranians. It may seem overwhelming, but each one can be diagnosed and treated to prevent pain for your pet. 

• Intervertebral disc disease is a typical condition in Pomeranian dogs. The disease happens when the cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. If your dog suddenly cannot jump up or go upstairs, does not want to move around, has a hunched back, cries out, or doesn’t eat or go potty, he is probably in severe pain.
• Sometimes, your pet’s kneecap may be out of place. Your pet might suddenly pick up a back leg, skip a few strides and then kick his leg to make the kneecap go back in place. This is called patellar luxation. If it is mild and only on one side, you might not need to do much besides giving your friend arthritis medication. Sometimes surgery may be necessary if the problem is severe and both sides are affected.

Pomeranians have a greater risk of malformed or deformed necks than other dog breeds. The first two neck vertebrae are more prone to instability in Poms. Spinal cord injuries can occur suddenly in the neck as a result of this condition.

Bladder Stones

If your Pom has a condition called hyperuricosuria, or HU, his urine will contain more uric acid than average. Uric acid acts as a fertilizer for bladder and kidney stones. There is a DNA test to find out if the specific gene mutation is present. When stones are present, they need to be surgically removed.

Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis (GME)

GME is a disease that affects the brain. It can be harmful, and it causes problems. It usually starts in middle-aged dogs, but it can affect other breeds as well. The cause is unknown, but three different types of GME have been found. Symptoms can include rapid death or chronic illness over a few months or only affecting the eyes. Treatment includes corticosteroids, but the response to treatment is variable, and the prognosis is generally poor.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is when your head holds too much fluid. This causes pressure on the brain. Hydrocephalus happens when bones don’t stick together after you are born. Signs of hydrocephalus include seizures, changes in mental function, circling, and a spastic gait. Owners report that it is harder to train an animal with hydrocephalus than it would be without this condition. Usually, people find out that their animal has hydrocephalus early in life, but sometimes they find out after the animal gets older too.

Tracheal Collapse

The trachea is like a vacuum cleaner. It has rings of cartilage that are flexible and strong. Sometimes the rings of cartilage in Poms are not well-formed or weak, so the trachea can collapse. This might cause coughing or difficulty breathing. When symptoms become severe, surgery may be recommended to fix it.

Dental Abnormalities

Genes often cause teeth abnormalities. They happen in many dogs, but it is more common in purebred dogs like your Pom. Dental problems, including overbite and underbite, are called malocclusion. Oligodontia means that only a few teeth are present. Misaligned teeth can also happen and can be corrected with braces or extractions! 

Skin Conditions

Dogs can get skin problems. One of these is sebaceous adenitis. You might notice your dog has dry, scaly skin and patches of hair loss on their head, neck, and back when they are between one and five years old. Treatment for your dog is long-term. We will try a lot of different things to see which works best with your dog. If you give fatty acid supplements and use special shampoos, you will have better results. 

Alopecia X

Alopecia X is a condition that causes patchy hair loss. It can also cause fuzzy fur on the sides of your friend’s body. Neutering often resolves this condition, but it can sometimes be treated with medications. Alopecia X is not a severe medical issue, but it does make your friend look different and makes people think they are sick and might not want to be friends with them because of their appearance. Responsible Pom breeders do not use these dogs for breeding, though, even if they are fixed or take medication to cure it.

Thyroid Problems

Poms are prone to hypothyroidism, which means they don’t make enough thyroid hormone. They can show signs like dry skin and fur, hair loss, being susceptible to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, or aggression.

How to Take Care of Your Pomeranian at Home

To keep your dog happy, you have to watch what she eats, give her a lot of exercise, brush her teeth, and coat often. There is also something you should do if she is sick. Call us or go to the pet emergency hospital if she looks sick or has symptoms that are not normal for her. If it is just a cold, call us right away before it gets worse.

Give Enough Exercise and Proper Diet

A Pom Pom needs routine care. You can help your Pom Pom live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. The most important thing is a good diet and regular exercise.

Supervise your pet like you would a toddler. Keep doors closed and block off rooms as necessary to keep her away from trouble and objects she shouldn’t put in her mouth.

Regular brushing and grooming are needed to keep her coat beautiful. Pomeranians often have severe problems with their teeth, so you will need to brush them three times a week minimum; clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. She’s well suited to apartment life as long as she is given daily walks and frequent play sessions.

She is intelligent. She can learn to do tricks for you so that she is not bored. She might be too small for homes with children because she has a strong personality, and kids might scare her. Feed her an appropriate diet and give her lots of exercise, but don’t overdo it at first because she needs to get used to exercising again.

Best Practice to Keep Your Pom Healthy

It is essential to know when something is wrong with your dog. There are a few signals that you can look for. If you see these, please take your dog to the vet quickly!

Call your veterinarian if you see any of these signs:

• Your dog eats less or has a loss of appetite
• Dental problems, such as tartar build-up, broken teeth, etc.
• Showing apparent signs of itch and hair loss
• Sleeping a lot, acting dull, and showing signs of lethargy
• Has abnormal behavior, such as fearfulness and aggression
• Significant changes in appearance - hair loss, weight gain, dull coat.

Once you see these signs, go to the vet right away:

• Excessive scratching or shaking the head
• Difficulty urinating
• Apparent problems in the eyes
• Fast breathing even without performing physical activities; coughing
• Dull and weak movements; unable or doesn’t want to rise, walk, or jump

For more information about this breed, click here. 

Pomeranian Skin Care