When you adopt or buy your first beagle, you may not know what to expect when it comes to their veterinary care and needs. While there are some conditions that all dogs are prone to, there are also many canine health conditions that are more common among specific breeds. Get to know more about what you may need to take your beagle to the animal hospital or veterinarian for so that you can provide them with the best possible care now and in the future.

Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is an eye condition that beagle's are particularly prone to. This is an eye protrusion that occurs when a gland in the eye prolapses (falls out of place). Usually this condition will not cause your dog discomfort.

However, because the protrusion can sometimes be quite large and swollen, your dog may experience irritation. Additionally, because the affected gland is a tear gland, the prolapse can cause chronic dry eye which in turn can also lead to blindness. Treating cherry eye in your beagle quickly can help to prevent these problems. Anti-inflammatory agents may help to reduce the swelling, but surgery is usually the best option to get the tear glad back in place and reduce swelling and complications.

Thyroid Problems

Beagles are also prone to conditions that affect the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland creates and secretes hormones that control and regulate metabolism and growth. One of the conditions of the thyroid that beagles are prone to is known as hypothyroidism. 

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not producing enough of the hormones it creates. This can cause weight gain even when you regulate your dog's diet, mental fogginess or confusion, and a loss of fur, particularly on their back just above the tail. Hypothyroidism is easily managed with a daily pill to replace the missing hormones.

Another thyroid problem that beagles are more prone to than many other dog breeds is thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer and tumors generally cause hyperthyroidism in dogs, meaning that the thyroid actually produces too much of the hormones that regulate metabolism and growth. This can cause excessive thirst, trouble swallowing and breathing, and weight loss. To treat thyroid cancer, veterinarians may perform surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid as well as use chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Now that you know a few of the conditions that your beagle may suffer from, you can better watch out for symptoms and ensure that your new beagle always gets the best care available to them.

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