Your loyal, hard-working farm dogs never complain. But the impact of their demanding, active lifestyle means that they can develop health issues.
A study of rural veterinary practice over a 12-period was undertaken to establish the main health issues in working farm dogs in NZ. Huntaways were over-represented in cases that included constipation, GDV (or “torsion”) and hip dysplasia. Heading Dogs over-represented in cases of multiple ligamentous injury of the stifle, disruption of the gastrocnemius or Achilles tendon, tarsal injuries and hip luxation.[1]
The same study found that euthanasia occurred following 10% of veterinary visits. The most important non-traumatic causes were due to GDV, degenerative joint disease, mammary neoplasia and diseases involving the female reproductive tract, cardiac disease and poisoning. The authors concluded that several of these important health issues may be amenable to intervention through nutrition.[2]
Below, we explore two serious health conditions that impact working farm dogs.
Musculoskeletal Injury & Disease
Musculoskeletal conditions affect the bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons and other connective tissues.
Musculoskeletal injury and disease have been found to be a common and major cause of retirement in working dogs.
A study of 323 working farm dogs began with all dogs free of abnormalities, but during 14 months of monitoring, 184 dogs (57%) developed at least one musculoskeletal abnormality.[3]In other words, almost six in 10 dogs.
Most common abnormalities included reduced range of motion and swelling of the carpus or stifle, while the hip was the most common site of pain. In total, 68% of the dogs that had one musculoskeletal abnormality developed a second abnormality.
The high incidence rate of recorded musculoskeletal abnormalities and high activity mean that working dogs are at a high risk of conditions that could impair their welfare and reduce their career of lifespan.
It was concluded that preventing and managing musculoskeletal injury and illness should be a priority for owners and vets caring for working farm dogs. Given the reliance of NZ farmers on their dogs for the efficient running of their farms and the economic value these dogs bring to their owners, high incidences of musculoskeletal injury and disease represent a major economic cost to owners.[4]
Bloat & Torsion
Gastric Dilatation (GD), also known as “bloat”, along with Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), known as “torsion”, are acute life-threatening conditions in dogs.
GD is characterised by a rapid accumulation of gas, fluid, ingesta or a combination thereof in the stomach which results in increased intragastric pressure. In GDV the dilatation is accompanied by torsion of the stomach.
In both GD and GDV, dilatation of the stomach results in compression of major blood vessels in the abdomen with impaired venous return to the heart and results in shock, and frequently death if left untreated.
One study recorded the meal type of 27 dogs presenting at NZ veterinarian clinics with GD or GDV. 26 (96%) of the dogs were reported to have eaten meat, bones or scavenged a carcass and one dog (4%) was reported to have scavenged dog biscuits. This emphasised that dogs fed a large volume of food in one meal have been shown to be at high risk of developing GDV.[5]
Feeding farm dogs twice daily may reduce the incidence of GD or GDV. As it is common for farmers in New Zealand to feed meat that has been previously frozen and it is possible that the meat has not thawed completely at the time of feeding, which may have increased the risk of GD or GDV.
Another study analysed the gastric contents of 41 working farm dogs with GD or GDV. 26/27 dogs had a history of having eaten meat, bones or scavenged a carcass. The odds that a case of GD or GDV was a Huntaway, after adjusting for age and season, was 19 times higher than the odds a control was a Huntaway. Gender and bodyweight were not identified as risk factors. However, GVD is associated with deep-chested breeds of dog, including Huntaways.[6]
See why Stamina dog food can help limit injuries and bloat/torsion in working dogs.
[1] Cave et al, 2009.
[2] Cave et al, 2009.
[3] Isaksen et al, 2020b.
[4] Isaksen et al, 2020b.
[5] Raghavenet al, 2006.
[6] Henricks et al, 2012.