Pinscher: character, care and predisposition to diseases
Pinscher
Pinschers are popular mainly among the elderly.
Their small size is conducive to keeping them in housing conditions, and the owner does not have to "struggle " with them during walks, despite the dog's high energy.
The Pinscher comes from Germany and was classified in the 2nd FCI group.
The Pinscher comes in a miniature form, often referred to as "Ratlerka "And in the form of an average.
- Pinscher: character
- What a Pinscher looks like?
- Pinscher: care
- Pinscher: diseases
- Tracheal collapse
- Congenital dislocation of the elbow
- Patellar dislocation
- Diabetes
- Type II mucopolysaccharidosis
- Is it worth choosing a Pinscher?
Pinscher: character
What character are pinschers? A friendly and outgoing pinscher is his master's good companion and family member.
Energetic, with a lively temper and a calm nature, he can act as a guard dog.
What a Pinscher looks like?
Miniature Pinscher The miniature form reaches the size of the withers 25-30 cm and weight 4-5 kg. Whereas the medium pinscher 45-50 cm and 14-20 kg.
Dogs of this breed are characterized by an elegant, square body structure, which is clearly visible under the short and smooth hair.
Medium Pinschers are strong, in this respect they resemble a schnauzer, and their shapely and compact silhouette is an exact copy of a Doberman.
The Miniature Pinscher is actually a scaled down version of the Medium Pinscher.
They have a strong, slightly elongated head with a flat forehead.
The high-set ears can be erect or V-drooping.
Strong, tight and short back.
Chest moderately broad, reaching the level of the elbows.
The tail is straight, set high, carried upwards or over the back.
Limbs strong, shoulders narrow, well muscled.
The muscles are clearly visible when the animal moves.
The coat is very close and consists of short, dense and smooth hair.
We distinguish between the following colors:
- red deer,
- reddish brown,
- dark red brown,
- black and tan.
Pinscher: care
Pinscher grooming These small dogs do not require strictly defined care.
Baths limited to 3-4 times a year, and additional ones result from urgent needs.
It is recommended to use oral hygiene preparations. Unfortunately, in miniature and medium breeds stone and dental plaque it will always accumulate, and the use of oral care products will slow this process down significantly.
Oral hygiene preparations are available in the form of:
- gel that is applied to the gums,
- toothpaste with an attached brush,
- liquid added to drinking water.
It is equally important nail inspection and anal glands.
The excessive amount of secretion accumulated in the sinuses of the gland causes itching of the croup, scratching the ears, sledding and licking the perineum.
Regular cleaning of the glands (the frequency depends on the individual) will prevent the dog from rising anal fistula.The low body weight causes the claws of these dogs to wear more slowly, so regular trimming will protect the vascular pulp from lengthening and from frequent bleeding when trimming the claws.
When it comes to combing, the current coat only needs to be combed periodically during the moulting period.
Type brushes are recommended for this purpose drainer of a size suitable for the type of pinscher.
Pinscher: diseases
Most of the diseases to which pinschers are predisposed are mainly related to miniature pinscher.
This is due to its small size, considered by some to be unnatural size.
Tracheal collapse
Usually, at the beginning, we have problems with breathing or coughing related to collapse of the trachea, typical of all miniature and toy breeds.
This is the dorsoventral flattening of the trachea.
Collapse is caused by the softening of the tracheal rings and the fatigue of the tracheal muscle.
Symptoms appear at different ages, most often in between 6-7 years of age, be aged several months if it is congenital.
There are 4 degrees of tracheal collapse, and the severity of symptoms is progressive.
Initially, we observe a dry cough that is strong and occurs during periods of excitement or after exercise.
It is often a sound like a horn or a goose sound.
After intense exercise, there is shortness of breath and an attack of severe cough.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of the photo X-ray, which shows segmental narrowing / collapse of the trachea.
Treatment varies according to the degree of collapse.
As long as the dog does not suffer from dyspnea, it is recommended to limit the situation of excitement, stress and excessive effort, and in case of coughing and breathing difficulties, use antitussive preparations:
- codeine,
- butorphanol,
- additionally theophylline, oxygen therapy or bronchodilators.
At the moment of severely collapsed, external or intratracheal stents are surgically inserted.
Congenital dislocation of the elbow
Orthopedic defects are typically congenital defects. They are associated with abnormal skeletal development.
A relatively rare developmental disorder in the form of congenital dislocation of the elbow can be noted in two forms:
- Type I: dislocation of the proximal epiphysis of the ulna, which loses contact with the remaining articular surfaces due to its lateral displacement with a twist by 45-900.
- Type II: posterolateral radial head dislocation.
Type I causes the elbow joint to be flexed and the forearm to convert.
In the case of bilateral lesions, the dog moves on the posterior-medial surfaces of the arms.
Deformities can be seen immediately after birth and puppies from 4 weeks of age are reported to the doctor.
Type II characterized by a varus elbow, palpated displacement of the radial bone.
Changes are recognized at 4-5 months of age.
Additionally, there may be:
- pain,
- crepitations.
The defect is recognized on the basis of the photo taken X-ray.
Treatment Type I may be based on the insertion of a nail per period 7 days after adjusting a dislocated elbow.
In other cases and form II is performed radial osteotomy and pond attitude.
Patellar dislocation
Another disadvantage is the dislocation of the kneecap, to which the anatomically built dog of this miniature breed predisposes.
Most often it is a congenital dislocation, but in some individuals the patella is in the femoral block, the deformity of the limb is invisible, and the symptoms of lameness do not appear until later, which is the reason for visiting a doctor.
The kneecap dislocates when the main mass of the quadriceps muscle, the kneecap and the rectus ligament are not aligned.
Usually no changes in the general condition of the patient are observed.
On clinical examination of the knee, one can feel the kneecap dislocated usually medially, or one can feel its habitual dislocation when palpating it.A 4-degree determination of patellar dislocation has been adopted due to the severity of lameness:
- Absence or infrequent lameness and the kneecap dislocates under pressure and reposition is spontaneous.
- Temporary lameness. The kneecap is inside or outside the block during examination, a noticeable shift in tibial tuberosity.
- Constant lameness - the kneecap is constantly outside the pulley. After adjusting the kneecap, it dislocates again.
- Permanent lameness - the kneecap is outside the block and its reposition is impossible.
There are 3 groups of patients in veterinary practice:
- Newborns and puppies with significant limb deformities, 3rd and 4th degree of dislocation.
- Young dogs with lameness, degree 2 and 3 dislocations.
- Older dogs with sudden lameness, most commonly injured, and with a degree of 1-2 dislocation.
Dogs in which the dislocation causes movement disorders are treated.
The treatment is operative, and the method depends on the degree of the defect and additional abnormalities in the structure of the femoral block.
Diabetes
Unfortunately, when it comes to metabolic diseases, they affect both the Miniature Pinscher and the Medium Pinscher. The first and most common disease is diabetes.
Although diabetes mellitus is a disease that mainly occurs in middle-aged dogs, yes 1.5% of cases concern young dogs.It is referred to as juvenile diabetes.
Symptoms are typical of diabetes:
- polyuria,
- increased thirst,
- weight loss despite a large appetite.
In the case of development ketoacidosis we observe:
- vomiting,
- lack of appetite,
- dehydration.
In dogs it is characteristic bilateral opacification of the lens (cataract), arising from diabetes.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of:
- symptoms,
- hyperglycemia,
- sugar in the urine.
Treatment is based on lifetime administration insulin.
The dose and frequency are determined by the veterinarian after execution sugar curve.
Once you develop ketoacidosis, it is very important to get help quickly. Apply fluid therapy and supplementation of water and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance.
Type II mucopolysaccharidosis
The condition is conditioned by an autosomal recessive gene Type II mucopolysaccharidosis.
It is associated with the lack of enzymes involved in the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides, thanks to which these substances accumulate in the cells.
In animals suffering from this disease, you can observe:
- enlarged liver,
- enlargement of the spleen,
- intentional tremors,
- motor incompetence,
- disorders in the structure of the skeleton, mainly the skull,
- reduced joint mobility.
The prognosis is poor as no treatment for the disease has yet been developed.
Is it worth choosing a Pinscher?
Miniature Pinscher Pinschers are ideal companions for many years.
The medium variety is less common, but the miniature form, as can be seen in large cities, has been popular for several decades.
It seems to be interesting, with their small appearance they resemble deer, to which they are often comparable.
Their undemanding lifestyle and appearance speak for choosing a Pinscher for small apartments in a block of flats, or for elderly people who dream of having a pooch.
If you want to learn more about the nature or disease predisposition of pinscher, post a comment under the article, I will answer your questions as soon as possible.
Sources used >>