Border Terriers are generally a hardy, healthy breed but they do tend to develop certain health issues. This post will list the most important ones along with the symptoms so that you can recognize it if your dog is affected.

• Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome – CECS or formerly known as “Spike’s Disease”

This disorder has commonly been confused with canine epilepsy and can be difficult to detect, because some dogs may not show any symptoms but still have the disease. The most common symptoms include: staggering, dizziness,  exaggerated stretching, unusually slow and/or methodical posturing or walking,  trembling,  abdominal and lumbar muscle contractions,  falling over, struggling to rise but unable to do so, borborygmus (loud intestinal noises) and apparent intestinal pain. Dogs suffering from CECS are cognizant, responsive to stimuli. The episodes may last from a few seconds up to a few minutes.

• Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a disease of the hip pocket, which can seriously affect a dog’s ability to move and have a good life, by causing painful arthritis in the joints. Symptoms include stiffness or soreness after rising from rest, reluctance to exercise, bunny-hopping or other abnormal gait (legs move more together when running rather than swinging alternately), lameness, pain, reluctance to stand on rear legs, jump up, or climb stairs, subluxation or dislocation of the hip joint, or wasting away of the muscle mass in the hip area. There is no complete cure for this condition. The aim of the treatment can be to enhance the quality of the dog’s life.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

This condition causes the retina to degenerate, causing the vision to deteriorate and eventually blindness. The most obvious symptoms are decreased vision at night, decreased pupillary light reflex. Unfortunately there is no treatment to PRA as of today.

If you suspect that your Border Terrier might by showing symptoms of any of these conditions, take it to the vet ASAP. The earlier the diagnoses, the sooner you can help your dog’s condition.