You can always think of your Jack Russell dog as an example of a healthy, playful and energetic dog. But you shouldn’t always think that way. He may not know that he is already infected with one of several neurological diseases.
You need to discover these diseases before you find your dog. Let’s start with ataxia first. Cerebellar ataxia is described as a muscle or limb disorder that can cause problems with coordination and balance. Strange movements are often seen in dogs with this disease. In severe cases, dogs will have a hard time keeping their balance, and worse, a dog will be unable to walk or stand.
Another disease that affects the nervous system of your Jack Russell Terrier is epilepsy. Canine epilepsy may seem surprising to some, but it does exist. Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. This is an inherited disease and is often diagnosed by a veterinarian through a physical and neurological exam. Tests such as complete blood count, serum chemical profile, urinalysis, bile tests, and thyroid function tests help the vet determine seizures and their causes.
Hydrocephalus! Another amazing fact, right? Hydrocephalus affects not only humans but also animals. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the brain collects too much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This condition occurs when there is a barrier along the fluid pathway that prevents the fluid from being absorbed. Hydrocephalus causes seizures, incoordination, abnormal behavior, and blindness.
Deafness is another disease that affects a Jack Russell dog. Deafness in dogs is the result of degeneration of the nerves within the ear. Some dogs are only partially deaf, so owners don’t notice them, while others suffer from severe hearing loss. Dogs with this disease should be taught hand signals to avoid injury and danger, as they may not always listen to commands or other signals of danger.
One more disease is myelodysplasia. This disease is a malformation of the spinal cord due to irregular prenatal development of the neural tube. This neural tube then becomes the spinal cord. This disease is diagnosed by X-rays and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. But there’s always a reason to be thankful even if your JRT has myelodysplasia. This disease is not a progressive disease, which means that it does not get worse.
Although some of these neurological diseases may not worsen compared to others, it is always important to visit your veterinarian once a sign occurs. Prompt and proper medical attention is needed to help prevent these diseases from progressing and harming your dog’s life.