IWS Health
The most frequently mentioned health disorders in the IWS breed
include the following: hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, allergies,
immune problems, seizures, coat loss, cancer, eyelid disorders
(especially entropion), toenail disorders (paronychia), and
temperament problems. There are rumors, but no hard proof of, von
Willebrand's Disease (where proper blood clotting does not occur) and
progressive retinal atrophy. Both of the latter can be tested for,
although the value of the current vWD blood test is subject to
legitimate criticism.

Conservative recommendations for pre-breeding health screens include
certification by OFA for hips after the second birthday (elbow
problems are far less frequent, but some breeders now do OFA elbow
certifications, too); periodic assessment of thyroid function by a
"complete thyroid panel" (contact the Animal Health Diagnostic
Laboratory in Lansing, Michigan, at (517) 353-0621, for details; not
all thyroid tests are equally informative); and periodic certification
of normal vision by CERF. Any animal with severe allergies or
temperament problems should not be bred.

The toenail disorder seen in the IWS is not at all well understood. It
seems to appear in young adults who may begin to manifest symptoms by
chewing on the feet. The problem can occur in dogs whose feet are
regularly trimmed. The toenail's interior "core" becomes mushy and may
secondarily become infected with bacteria and fungus, causing a foul
odor. The disease will progress even if infection is not present. The
outer shell of the nail eventually falls off, exposing the raw
"quick". One or many toes may be affected. Some owners report
satisfactory treatment by eliminating dietary allergens. Others have
opted to have the dog's toes removed. Treatment is necessary to avoid
suffering. A genetic component is suspected due to occurrence in
related individuals, but very little is known of this condition.

Since several of the disorders mentioned above are physiologically
interrelated, an explanation is included here.

The immune system protects the body from foreign substances, including
infectious agents like bacteria and viruses. An underactive immune
system thus leaves the body vulnerable to infection. An underactive
immune system also contributes greatly to the development of all kinds
of cancer. The characteristic cancers and infections that develop with
the human disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) are
perfect examples of the dangers of immune suppression.

An overactive immune system is equally harmful to health. There are
two main forms in which this occurs: autoimmunity and allergies.
Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets one of
the body's own normal components. This can lead to serious
consequences. The human disease multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune
disorder, and there are many others. In dogs, autoimmune thyroiditis
is the leading cause of underactive thyroid gland function (=
hypothyroidism).

It is important to note that the thyroid gland is largely responsible
for regulating the rate of protein production in the body. Underactive
thyroid means a slower rate of protein production. Because the skin
and coat are made up of so much protein, hypothyroidism often results
in coat loss or thinning. Likewise, the immune system's proper
function depends utterly on the production of proteins (antibodies).
Hence, it may happen that autoimmune thyroiditis (overactive immune
system) causes hypothyroidism, which then secondarily causes an
underactive immune system. The body's physiology is full of cycles
like these that must be borne in mind as treatment is designed.
Fortunately, hypothyroidism is easy to treat, so that part of the
cycle can be broken once proper testing has established a hypothyroid
diagnosis.

Allergies also represent an overactive immune system, at least
initially. The body mounts a vigorous immune response to a relatively
harmless foreign substance, like pollen or dust or a diet component.
When allergies persist over long periods, the immune system begins to
pour more and more effort into the allergic response alone, exhausting
its resources to fight off really dangerous infections. Hence, a dog
with bad allergies may develop skin infections that it is relatively
helpless to fight off.

The body's normal reaction to severe stress (pain, anxiety, etc.)
includes the release into the bloodstream of an immune-suppressing
hormone known as cortisone. Normally, stress is short-lived and the
cortisone production is also short-lived. If stress is chronic,
however, cortisone release will also be chronic, which can actually
collapse the immune system. This is why severely stressed animals (and
people!) often fall ill.

The fact that cortisone exists in the body, however, means that
medical science can use a synthetic analog of cortisone to interrupt
severe immune reactions when it is necessary. For example, a sudden
allergic reaction to fleas can be greatly reduced by the drug called
prednisolone, a cortisone relative that mimics its action. Even with
synthetic hormone, however, prolonged use will collapse the immune
system, possibly leading to even greater problems. That is why medical
practitioners, including vets, are hesitant to keep a patient on
long-term cortisone, even though it relieves initial symptoms. The
long-term risk to the immune system just cannot be ignored.

This presents a dilemma for the dog with chronic allergies. Letting
the allergies run wild will eventually exhaust the immune system,
making the animal vulnerable to infections and/or cancer. Overtreating
the allergies with cortisone will do the same.

REMEMBER: "This is worth repeating for benefit of al newbies!
Jo Ann asked Dr. Solo to remind people that while she has retired from selling GF (and sold
the business to Ken Fischer http://dandyorandas.com/) she has NOT retired from
helping people with sick GF and koi FOR FREE. 251-649-4790 phoning is best for
diagnosis. but, can try email put "help sick fish" in subject. Get your fish at Dandy Orandas
Dandy Orandas Dandy Orandas........you guys got that DANDY ORANDAS