About Our Wheatens’ Health
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a healthy, sturdy, and well-muscled dog that, given proper care and nourishment, will live a long, healthy life. The average Wheaten Terrier lifespan is 12 to 15 years with some living up to 17 years. However, it is important to know that all dog breeds are susceptible to certain diseases and the Wheaten is no exception. Veterinary research has identified two conditions that seem to have a higher than normal incidence in Wheatens: protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Other conditions, like Addison’s disease and renal dysplasia (RD), have been found as well. This does not mean that all Wheaten Terriers will have these diseases.
Health Concerns
Protein-Losing Nephropathy (PLN) is a condition of glomerular diseases. It causes significant protein loss through a structure of the kidneys called the glomerulus. While PLN can have several causes, it’s important to note that Wheatens can have familial PLN due to a podocytopathy causing glomerulosclerosis. Note that PLN is not old age kidney disease and is different than Renal Dysplasia. PLN can be associated with systemic hypertension (high blood pressure), thromboembolic events (blood clots), edema/ascites, and eventually chronic renal failure. Drugs like Telmisartan are known to have a been successful in treating PLN along with diet and supplements. It is important that every Wheaten owner know the results of their Wheatens PLN Variant Gene Test. Watch the Webinar on PLN by Dr Meryl Littman.
Protein Losing Enteropathy: Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) is characterized as a loss of protein from the intestines due to intestinal disease. There can be many causes of PLE, but it’s important to note that there may be a hereditary component in Wheatens, predisposing them to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or intestinal lymphangiectasia. Watch the Webinars on PLE by Dr. Littman and Dr. Tolbert.
Addisons Disease: Addison’s Disease is also known as Hypoadrenocorticism. It is the insufficient production and secretion of certain endocrine hormones made by the adrenal gland cortex. Wheatens are predisposed to two types of Addison’s disease: typical and atypical.
Renal Dysplasia: Renal Dysplasia (RD) is the abnormal development of the kidney (also known as Juvenile Renal Disease). This malformation can result in early renal failure. It is very important to understand the difference between PLN and Renal Dysplasia. Dogs with Renal Dysplasia do not have protein loss.
Degenerative Myelopathy: (DM) is a rare fatal neurological disease that affects older dogs. It initially results in paralysis of the pelvic limbs but progresses to affect all limbs. SCWTCA recommends that all breeding stock be tested for the DM markers. It is important to remember that the majority of dogs that have two DM markers do not develop the disease.
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America and the Endowment maintain a watchful eye for potential genetic problems and are proactive in those instances when the general health and well-being of the breed is challenged. We encourage all owners to enter their dogs’ health and temperament issues in the Database.
If you are considering adding a Wheaten to your home, you should expect the breeder to provide you with the hip and eye clearances for the sire and dam and the PLN Variant Gene test results of the sire and dam and/or the puppy. Visit the Database to look up the sire and dam of the puppy you are considering at www.scwtdb.org. The breed’s health and genetic database contains over 108,000 Wheatens, including health data collected from sources worldwide. Together we can identify trends in health and address them.
We rely on owners and breeders to provide us with accurate information.
Thank you to the SCWTCA Inc. for assistance with this page.
