Cynara's number one goal is to breed and raise physically and mentally healthy Rhodesian Ridgebacks who will live longer than the average lifespan of 10 years.  One technique to achieve this goal is to have our dogs tested for genetic diseases most common to Ridgebacks and allow the results -- good and bad -- to be posted on the OFA database.  The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) database is online and viewable by the public.  It is truly invaluable for researching various breeds of dogs and the diseases to which they are most susceptible.  Ridgebacks are extremely healthy and most breeding lines have only a few problems with hip or elbow dysplasia, cataracts, or deafness.  The most common problem in Ridgeback at this time is hypothyroidism.

We are very pleased with the overall health of our dogs but before you decide a Ridgeback is the perfect dog for you, please take time to research their needs and understand there is a slight potential for health problems like allergies, hypothyroidism and cancer.

The information contained on the Health Matters & Canine Disease pages come from many sources.  Much of the data will be useful for all dog breeds.   Medical, scientific and genetic news changes almost at the speed of sound so when possible I'll try to date health information posted.

It is vital for you to research the parents and grandparents health records before buying a dog.  Most diseases have a genetic link.  If the grandsire had constant ear infections and had to visit the vet several times a year, there is a good chance that some of his pups and grandpups will do the same.  Buying a puppy from a pet store or a breeder who doesn't bother to test their dogs before breeding makes it almost impossible for you to find out this critical information before it is too late.

The OFA database (www.offa.org) is very easy to use and provides invaluable information.  For Ridgebacks, OFA lists test results for hips, elbows, hearts, eyes, patellas, thyroid, degenerative myelopathy, and ears (for deafness).  The OFA numbers are like a secret code.  Example:  Hunter's OFA number for his hip x-ray is RR-7941E45M which means: he was the 7,941 Rhodesian Ridgeback to be tested AND to receive a passing score. The "E" is for Excellent and the "45M" shows he was a 45 month old male when the x-ray was taken.

Test results from all of my dogs are sent to OFA.  Here are links to each dogs' personal page.

DISEASES

Visit Cynara's RR Specific page for more detailed information on specific diseases and disorders affecting Rhodesian Ridgebacks and various treatments or ways to prevent them.

Glossary - "Idiopathic" - The next time your vet uses the word idiopathic as in "your dog has an idiopathic vestibular disease" don't be fooled into thinking your dog has something rare or unusual.  Idiopathic means of unknown cause.  In other words, the vet isn't sure what is causing the problem.

Muzzles - How many of you reading this instantly visualized a muzzle being used on a vicious dog & thought that you don't need a muzzle for your dog?  Dogs usually bite from fear or extreme stress.  When a dog is in pain from an injury they don't understand the pain is coming from being hit by a car or from a deep cut.  The best thing is to quickly muzzle your dog so you can apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding or to carry the dog to a car for a speedy trip to the vet.  Almost all pet stores and catalogs carry lightweight mesh muzzles.  Buy one for your First Aid Kit.  An emergency muzzle can be constructed from almost anything long enough to wrap around the nose and behind the ears.  Below is a tip for an emergency muzzle for large dogs like Ridgebacks from Washington State Univ. College of Vet. Med.

      HOT TIP How to Make a Muzzle - Take a long length of gauze, fold it in half to double its' strength.  Tie a loose square knot in the center to form a loop about three times the diameter of the dog's muzzle.  Place the loop around the muzzle, pull tight on the top of the nose and tie a single knot.  Next take the loose ends of the gauze (which should be hanging under the dog's chin) and tie a single knot under the jaw.  Bring the long ends of the gauze behind the ears and tie in a square knot or an easy-to-release bow (like a shoe lace).  Keep scissors or a knife handy to remove the muzzle in case the dog has trouble breathing.  Don't make the muzzle too tight. Remember the only goal is to keep the dog from biting so you can provide emergency treatment. 

VACCINES (updated 4/17/09)

The raging debate over how often to vaccinate a dog against various canine diseases is finally dying down.  The "vaccinate less" experts are winning out over the "vaccinate more" drug makers and traditional vets.   Until Chisum came into our life in 2003, I followed the standard "rule" -- take the dog to the vet once a year for its shots.  It never occurred to me that a dog might NOT need to be vaccinated every year. 

Immunology expert Dr. Ronald Schultz, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine) actually co-wrote a paper in 1978 recommending vaccinations every 3 years instead of every year.  It took 25 years, but in 2003 the American Animal Hospital Association(see below for more info) agreed that canine core vaccines should not be given more often than every 3 years.

What is a core vaccine?  Core means basic or minimum.  These are the vaccines needed to protect your dog against the most highly contagious and deadly canine diseases.  Dr. Schultz believes there are 4 core canine vaccines:

         * Distemper     * Adenovirus 2 (hepatitis)    * Parvovirus 2    Note:  these three vaccines are also known as DAP    * Rabies

Puppies should NOT be vaccinated before 5 weeks of age because their immune systems are immature and maternal antibodies can block the puppy's immune system from benefiting from the medicine.  In a normal healthy home or kennel, the first puppy DAP shots should be given at 8-9 weeks.  A series of 3 shots should be given at least 2 weeks apart but the puppies immune system becomes stronger if the shots are given 3-4 weeks apart.  Puppies need 3 rounds of  DAP because many times the maternal antibodies are still high enough to allow block the puppy's immune response to the vaccine.  After the last DAP shot, wait 1 year to give a DAP booster shot.  The rabies vaccine should be given no earlier than 12-16 weeks (give at a different time than the DAP shot).  Give the rabies booster shot 1 year later.  Then wait 3 years (the dog will be 4 1/4 years old) before giving another booster shot.  A few states still require rabies vaccine to be given once a year.  Oklahoma now allows the rabies vaccine to be given every 3 years.

One of the agreements I made with Chisum's breeder was to follow Dr. Jean Dodds vaccination protocol/schedule.  Dr. Dodds' schedule is slightly different than Dr. Schultz.  She believes healthy dogs only need vaccinations for distemper, parvovirus and rabies.   Dr. Dodds recommends the Modified Live Virus Distemper & Parvovirus shot be given at these ages:

• #1 at 9-10 weeks

• #2 at 14 weeks

• #3 16-18 weeks (optional)

• Rabies shot at 20 weeks or older

• MLV Distemper/Parvovirus booster at 1 year

• Rabies (killed 3-year) at 13 month - Note:  Give the rabies shot by itself, not on the same day as another shot.  Unfortunately, in some states like Idaho vets are required by law to perform a physical exam before giving a vaccine.  The extra cost of the exam forces owners to combine the shots into one visit instead of two.

Boosters are generally given every 3 years unless State law requires vaccines more often.  It is not recommended to vaccinate bitches in season (a/k/a heat, estrus), pregnant or while nursing and do not vaccinate during times of stress such as: surgery, travel, illness or infection.  Don't vaccinate elderly dogs.  If your dog has been vaccinated many times in his younger years, his system is probably as well immunized against any disease.  Many people have started asking their vets to do a yearly vaccine antibody titer test on their pets.  A titer is a measurement of antibody to a specific virus.  With DAP titers, the presence of any antibody (in dog older than 16 weeks) shows the dog is protected and doesn't need a booster vaccination.

The American Animal Hospital Association released their updated canine vaccination guidelines in 2006.  The 28-page report is available on their website at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf  Print or save it to your computer for future reference.  In a nutshell, the AAHA protocol breaks vaccines into three categories:

*Core - see definition above
*Noncore - Optional vaccine which should only be given to dogs that really need them.  Examples: Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), and
                     Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme).  Immunity from bordetella and lepto vaccines lasts less than one year because they are a bacterial disease as opposed to a viral disease.
                    Sadly neither vaccine prevents the disease but only manages the severity.  Dogs have more frequent and worse reactions to the lepto vaccine than any other vaccine.
*Not Recommended - A vaccine for which there are no realistic benefits.  Example:  Giardia or Coronavirus

Rabies - How long does a rabies vaccine last?  You can help find out the answer to this important question.  A Rabies Challenge Fund has been created to fund two concurrent studies to determine the duration of immunity conveyed by the vaccine.  Past studies have indicated immunity can last 5-7 years.  The majority of US states have laws requiring boosters every 3 years.  Donations are needed to support the study.  More information on the research and details on how to donate to The Rabies Challenge Fund can be found at www.RabiesChallengeFund.org.

Both of my vets agree dogs have probably been over vaccinated but they believe the benefits of examining a dog on a yearly basis for other problems outweighs the concern over adverse reactions.  Many vets are starting to emphasize yearly exams and teeth cleaning as alternatives to shots.  It took a few years of research for me to finally believe that annual vaccinations do not improve immunity but instead significantly increase the risk of adverse reactions.  Excessive vaccinations are suspected in the increased incidences of several diseases, including cancer, epilepsy, severe allergies, thyroiditis and Addison's disease.  Thankfully vets are finally starting to swing over to the findings of researchers and scientists and have stopped believing sales pitches from vaccine makers who want us to give shots annually despite knowing there is a strong possibility that initial vaccines convey immunity from disease for many years, possibly for the lifetime of the dog.

My advice is to call your vet months in advance.  Ask what brand of vaccines the vet uses and if your dog can receive only a Distemper/Parvovirus shot.  Make sure they have enough doses for two more rounds.  Don't let the vet pressure you into allowing them to give your puppy a 5-in1, 6-in1 or 7-in-1 shot.  In this case more is not better.  Stand up for your pet.  If your vet doesn't offer what you want, let him know you aren't happy and keep calling until you find one who does offer a DAP or Distemper/Parvovirus only vaccine.

Remember:  Keep using monthly or daily heartworm protection.  This need doesn't diminish with age.  If the dog goes outside or if mosquitoes ever come inside, give heartworm preventitive.

LINKS

The American Animal Hospital Association.  http://aahanet.org/

AHVMA - American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (Search for a Holistic vet near you)

HEMOPET http://www.hemopet.com/ established the first private non-profit animal blood bank 1991. HEMOPET's licensed full-service blood bank provides state-of-the-art blood components and supplies for transfusions to veterinary clinics nationwide. This is where I now send serum for the thyroid panel for the dogs OFA tests.

The Rabies Challenge Fund. www.RabiesChallengeFund.org/