Saint Bernard Health
Saint Bernards aren't the healthiest breeds, as I have had the poor luck of experiencing myself. Our first Saint Bernard, which we already owned when I was born back in 1992, lived to be 15 years old. Nowdays it is a feat to manage to get your Saint to live the see the "golden years", to be a senior, meaning 8 years of age. Isn't that sad.
Saint Bernards have several hereditary diseases, as well as other which are not (yet) classified as hereditary to them. Even if they should be. Listed here is the real health status of Saint Bernard breed, something you won't find from the Finnish Saint Bernard Club's site at the moment.
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Hip dysplasia (HD)
Elbow dysplasia (ED)
Spondylosis (spondylosis deformans)
Degenerative disc/herniation
Osteochondrosis (osteochondritis dissecans/OCD)
Entropion (eyelids roll inward)
Ectropion (eyelids roll outward)
Macroblepharon (abnormally large opening of the eyelids)
PHTVL/PHPV (persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis/persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous)
Other eye diseases (Distichiasis, cataract/glaucoma, RD)
Heart diseases (cardiomyopathy, heart failure, dilatation)
Gingival hyperplasia (gum overgrowth)
Tooth and bite problems (small teeth)
Laryngeal paralysis
Cancer
Labor difficulties
Epilepsy
Organ failures (liver, kidneys, thyroid)
Skin diseases (atopy, pyoderma)
Allergies
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Behavior problems/poor nerve structure
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