It’s crucial to learn about the possible Aussiedoodle health issues so that you can detect these situations in advance. Before we get started, here’s a brief intro about this Doodle breed. The Aussiedoodle is a popular mixed breed known for its cute appearance, loving personality, and hypoallergenic coat. You may call them Aussiepoo or Aussiepoodle, but they’re all the same hybrid Aussiedoodle.
Before scrolling down this article “Aussiedoodle Health Issues To Prepare For,” check out other health guides from our team: How To Cure Parvo Without a Vet For Dogs and How Long Will My Puppy Poop Worms After Deworming.
Origin
Aussiedoodles are the result of crossbreeding a Poodle and an Australian Shepherd.
Related Aussiedoodle Guide: Best Aussiedoodle Generations.
Temperament
Aussiedoodles are active, playful, and loyal pets that love to goof around and entertain their favorite humans. The Australian Shepherd is a herding dog, so those traits sometimes show up in Aussiedoodles. These dogs get their intelligence from both parents. This makes them easily bored and in need of constant stimulation. If left alone, the Aussiedoodle tends to become aggressive. However, that is rare. As long as you play with the Aussiedoodle, it will be calm and playful all the time. It also plays well with children and other pets.
Aussiedoodle Dog Comparison: Bernedoodle vs. Aussiedoodle.
Exercise
The Aussiedoodle loves to exercise. You can take it on hikes, walks, runs, and also play dog games with them. They are highly energetic and active, so an hour of daily strenuous exercise is necessary to keep this breed in the best spirits. If this loving dog doesn’t get enough mental and physical activity, it can be a nightmare to deal with.
Dog Product Recommendations For Exercising: Best Dog Playpen For Hardwood Floors.
Appearance
The Aussiedoodle has various coat colors like red merle, blue merle, black and red tri, sable, black, and tan, etc. On rare occasions, it is also possible to find an Aussiedoodle with a solid-colored coat. An Aussiedoodle’s coat texture and coat color both depend on which parent the puppy takes after. Depending on your Aussiedoodle’s genetics, this can mean a tightly curled poodle coat or a wavy Australian Shepherd coat. The texture only shows after the puppy has matured. What you can be sure about is that the Aussiedoodle is likely to get the poodle’s hypoallergenic coat.
- Height: 10 to 15 inches
- Weight: 25 to 70 pounds
- Depending on the size of the parents, an Aussiedoodle can be small or medium-sized.
- Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Related Aussiedoodle Guides: When is an Aussiedoodle Full Grown?
Aussiedoodle Health Issues
Since Aussiedoodles are hybrids, they will have better health than both parents. What’s even better is, they are only affected by health issues that are shared by both parents. Let’s look at the most common health problems in Aussiedoodles.
1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
First on the list of Aussiedoodle health issues is hip and elbow dysplasia. Hip and elbow dysplasia is a genetically inherited disease where the hip or elbow joint becomes dislocated. The socket and bones fail to fit together, and its effects worsen as the dog grows. It causes pain initially when the puppy is still growing but can later lead to deterioration because the joints can’t function properly.
Symptoms
- Limping
- Decreased activity
- Lethargy
- Muscle loss
- Pain
- Swollen joints
Treatment
The surgical route involves removing or replacing part of the socket to allow the dog to move without discomfort and pain. However, it is an expensive surgery that may not be viable for all dogs. Other treatments include medications to reduce inflammation and pain. Additionally, the dog is required to reduce exercise and weight to lessen the strain on the joints.
Recommendations: Best Dog Foods For Joint Health.
2. Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s Disease is a condition of the adrenal glands where they produce excess amounts of certain hormones. It is classified into three types based on what causes the syndrome. Two of these are caused by tumors in the adrenal gland or pituitary gland. The third type is the iatrogenic Cushing’s disease, caused by excessive administration of steroids. The steroids given could be part of another treatment that leaves behind too much of it in the dog’s body.
Symptoms
- Muscle wasting
- Thinning of skin
- Infections
- Increase in appetite and thirst
- Increased urination
- Lethargy
- Loss of hair
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size of the tumor. Surgery, if possible, can cure the disease. Otherwise, the condition can only be managed with drugs and medications.
3. Pancreatitis
The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes when food enters the body. However, with pancreatitis, the enzymes are released with or without food ingested. Upon release, the enzymes start ‘digesting’ the tissues in the body. If it worsens, the enzymes may begin eating the pancreas and neighboring tissues. This usually puts the dog in intense pain. The condition is caused by inflammation of the pancreas.
Symptoms
Treatment
For mild conditions, temporary treatment of antibiotics, nutritional support, and IV fluids are prescribed. A progressive case of pancreatitis can only be monitored and managed.
4. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain of the dog. The condition causes seizures which can be fatal for the brain and life of your dog. They are caused by underlying diseases, poison, nutritional deficiency, or cancer. However, seizures are common in a lot of dogs.
Symptoms
- Seizures
- Wobbly movements
- Muscle twitching
- Temporary loss of vision
- Stiffening
- Excessive drool
- Falling
Treatment
Epilepsy doesn’t have a cure, but the condition can be managed. Efforts to reduce seizures like drugs, medication, and therapy can help your dog live a long life.
Dog Information: Reasons Why My Dog is Wobbly and Off-Balance.
5. Multiple Drug Sensitivity
The condition is common in Aussiedoodles but not directly fatal. It makes the dog’s body react negatively to certain drugs due to genetic problems. The body can’t process drugs properly, leading to excess drugs in the bloodstream. While this can be fatal, the major problem with sensitivity is that the dog can’t get treated for minor conditions.
Symptoms
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Disorientation
- Seizures/ tremors
- Coma
- Blindness
Treatment
If the drugs can be switched or stopped, then there is no need to endanger the dog’s health.
6. Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis is an inherited disease and very common in the Australian Shepherd. It is an autoimmune disease caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland. The attack causes the thyroid gland to lose full or partial function, which causes hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms
- Skin problems
- Weight gain
- Tendency to seek heat
Testing for this condition cannot be done solely based on symptoms. Only a visit to the vet can confirm its presence.
Treatment
The condition is easily treated with medication.
7. Sebaceous Adenitis
The inflammation of the sebaceous glands causes this skin disease. The sebaceous glands secrete oil that moisturizes the dog’s skin. When inflamed, this gland stops functioning. If it isn’t treated, it can destroy the glands. The cause of inflammation is not clear, but with standard poodles, the condition is generally inherited from the parents.
Symptoms
- Hair loss
- Skin problems
- Dandruff
- Lesions
- Dull coat
Treatment
Even without a cure, the condition is manageable with antiseptic and antibiotic medications, shampoos, mineral oils, etc. Treatment generally slows down the progression of the disease by protecting the skin.
8. Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Last on the list of Aussiedoodle health issues is Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Another inherited condition, progressive retinal atrophy, results in blindness. The state can lead to a complete loss of vision.
Symptoms
- Bumping into objects
- Cataracts
- Cloudy eyes
- Night blindness
- Degeneration of vision
- Dilation of pupils
Treatment
Progressive Retinal Atrophy cannot be treated, which is why the best treatment is prevention. Breeders can help by avoiding breeding dogs with this condition.
Related Aussiedoodle Guides: How Long Do Aussiedoodles Live
How To Have a Healthy Aussiedoodle
Did all the illnesses make you experience sadness? Don’t worry. Below, our team included a few steps and precautions you can take to prevent, reduce, or treat the diseases to improve your companion’s health.
- Find a Good Breeder: If your breeder has all the health documents, you have that much less worry. Find out what illnesses the parents had if they received any medication and how the pregnancy went. It is also advisable to adopt a mature puppy as most illnesses would have manifested by that age.
- DNA Tests: Health and DNA testing can give you a good idea of what your dog’s health issues may be susceptible to in the future. However, it is still a good idea to understand your dog’s possible state of health based on the health of its parents.
- Regular Exercise: Aussiedoodles are prone to weight gain, so make sure you follow strict guidelines for exercise and diet restrictions. If your dog is constantly hungry and irritable, visit a vet before you increase their meal size.
- Regular Checkups: Bring your Aussiedoodles in for regular checkups to keep them in good health. It also helps to discuss changes in eating behavior and other behavioral changes that you might be worried about.
- Insurance: Insurance can be a great help when you can’t afford the proper treatment or surgery that can save your dog’s life.
- Grooming: Grooming is an excellent opportunity to see how your dog is doing, inspect its body, and catch a disease early to prevent it from progressing and doing more damage. Bathing your dog can help you look for any skin and coat abnormalities. However, Aussiedoodles only need a bath once every eight weeks, so you don’t have to do it regularly. Check and clean their ears when you brush their coat or trim their nails. Don’t forget to brush their teeth regularly to avoid gum diseases.
Related Aussiedoodle Article: Do Aussiedoodles Shed Hair and Dander?
Conclusion For “Aussiedoodle Health Issues”
Remember that the most important thing is to relax and calm down when your dog is stressed or sick. Dogs are more clueless about what’s happening to their body, so they’ll be scared and even try to remove themselves from situations by hiding. Furthermore, take note of mental instability in dogs. Depression may not be a clear sign of what is wrong, but it signifies that something is wrong and needs your attention.
For more Aussiedoodle questions, check out:
To learn more about health issues, watch “Top 10 Common Dog Health Problems and Solutions” from WatchMojoLifestyle down below:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=XZ8M6o46KO4
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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