There is no breed of dog without its health issues, from giant sighthounds with osteosarcoma to a host of breeds suffering with hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, or heart problems. The list goes on and on.
The Lundehund is prone to varying forms of gastrointestinal (GI) problems, to include protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal bowel disease (IBD). The level of affliction is as varied as the diseases themselves. Some of the dogs will show signs of one of the conditions, others may present with multiple problems, still others will remain asymptomatic for years. Some belive that all Lundehunds carry a gene that makes them prone to GI problems.
We take our role very seriously when it comes to advising on these matters and want to make certain what we project is indeed what the NLAA, Inc. and its members feel is the right thing. As owners and/or breeders, we will relate our own experiences. We will not attempt to advise you as if we are medical experts as to do so would be irresponsible and possibly dangerous.
There is a small group of Lundehund owners who prior to the establishment of the NLAA coined the phrase “Lundehund Syndrome” in an effort to paint an all-encompassing picture of the Lundehund GI problems. Please take note that this term is not found in any official medical textbooks. *
As the national breed Parent Club it is our duty, in cooperation with the scientific and medical communities, to establish a recognized regime of annual testing (as an example, here is the list for the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers). This testing is an ethical responsibility of owners and breeders to help determine what causes the varying levels of disease. Here are a few of the tests that some Lundehund owners & breeders are voluntarily using:
- Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor
- Cobalamin (vitamin B12)
- Folate
- Albumin
The conditions listed are not unique to Lundehunds. Some other breeds that are carriers/sufferers:
PLE
- Basenji
- Border Collie
- Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
IL
- Basenji
- Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
SIBO
- German Shepherd
IBD
- Basenji
- Boxer
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dalmatian
- German Shepherd
- Irish Setter
- Shar-Pei
- Rottweiler
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
Two good sites for canine health information:
* We will acknowledge it has been published in a veterinary magazine. Please note, however, this article was sponsored in part by the same group mentioned above, not by an independent practitioner.