The Beagle is a wonderful pet that is particularly good with children. Beagles are predisposed to certain diseases, so careful observation of your pets daily routine is important. Any significant change in this routine is cause for an examination. Our web site in the Diseases Section has detailed information on many of the diseases they are prone to.
Common Beagle Health Issues
Beagles can live up to 15 years when their weight is kept under control (they are prone to obesity) and you keep their teeth cleaned professionally.
Dental Disease
Beagles are prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Brushing the teeth and using foods that help prevent plaque and tartar fro building up are helpful, but they don’t replace professional dental care by one of our veterinarians.
Our Dental Disease page has details on this.
Ear Problems
They are also prone to ear problems due to their long and floppy ears. There is less airflow, creating a moist and dark environment for bacteria (pseudomonas) and yeast (Malassezia) to grow.
Allergies are also a part of this. In addition to causing many kinds of skin conditions, allergies make beagles prone to ear problems.
Limber Tail Syndrome
That long tail that never stops wagging can cause a strain on the muscles of the coccygeal vertebrae. The tail will stop wagging and hang limply. Rest is the best cure, but if it continues you need to bring in your beagle to us for an exam.
Eye Disease
Beagles are prone to numerous eye conditions.
Any time your pet has eye discharge, squinting, redness, or is pawing at one of its eyes, and examination should be performed by one of our doctors.
An ey exam should be performed by an ACVO ophthalmologist, and the results registered with OFA or CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation; http://www.offa.org/eyes.html)
These eye problems can range from:
Small eyes (microphthalmia)
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Cherry Eye (prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane
Bleeding Disorders
On occasion, some Beagles can get a bleeding disorder. If your pet easily bruises, or seems to take a long time to clot blood, it should have an examination.
Herniated Discs
Beagles are susceptible to herniated discs. Any time it shows signs of pain or inability to walk properly, this disease might be a cause. Proper veterinary care is important in a herniated disc because the problem may progress to paralysis.
Epilepsy (seizures)
Another relatively common problem in Beagles is epilepsy, which manifests itself as a seizure. Any time your pet has a seizure it should be brought to our attention. Epilepsy is controlled with anticonvulsant medication.
Kidney Disease
They are also susceptible to kidney disease. Symptoms of kidney disease vary, but commonly include increased thirst and urination. Any change in your pets drinking or urinary habits are cause for an examination, including a urinalysis, x-ray, and blood sample.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions caused by mange can also occur. If your pet has mange there will be patches of hair loss anywhere on its body, but particularly towards the head area. This disease is diagnosed by scraping the surface of the skin in the affected area and looking for the mites under the microscope.
Heart Disease
There is a heart disease called Pulmonic Stenosis that can occur in Beagles. Symptoms, if they occur, include distended abdomen, difficult breathing, exercise intolerance, and unfortunately, even sudden death.
Thyroid Gland Disease
The thyroid gland can produce an inadequate amount of thyroxine, leading to a disease called hypothyroidism. Symptoms can include poor haircoat, lethargy, and obesity. Our web site has a detailed page on hypothyroidism.
Skin Tumors
Tumors of the skin occur in Beagles. A tumor of particular importance is the Mast Cell Tumor (MCT) due its potential to be highly malignant. Any skin mass on your Beagle should be examined by us.
Bone Diseases
When breeding beagles, and also when choosing a genetically sound puppy, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; www.offa.org) recommends genetic screening for:
- Hip Dysplasia
- MLS (Musladin-Lueke Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disease).
Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is recommended for detecting Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and evaluation for cardiac disease.
By using genetic testing and registry programs like these, breeders of purebred dogs can work toward eliminating these inherited diseases, which can lead to lifelong pain, debilitation and medical problems. If you’re considering getting a purebred puppy, asking potential breeders about these inherited diseases can help you choose a healthy pup.