Are Norwegian Lundehunds healthy?

• Lundehund gastroenteropathy (LGE): Norwegian Lundehunds are prone to developing a group of gastrointestinal disorders that can fall under the collective term “Lundehund Gastroenteropathy.” These disorders lead to chronic vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and malabsorption of nutrients. Affected dogs may also experience bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, which can exacerbate symptoms like bloating and discomfort.

• Small bacterial overgrowth (SBO): This condition occurs when there is an abnormal increase of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to malabsorption, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and symptoms of gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea.

• Patellar luxation: This orthopedic condition involves the dislocation of the kneecap, which can result in limping, chronic pain, and difficulty in movement. Over time, it may lead to arthritis in the affected joint.

• Cataracts: Cataracts cause clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to impaired vision. Symptoms include cloudy eyes, difficulty seeing in bright light or at night, and potential blindness if not treated.

• Primary lens luxation: This occurs when the lens of the eye dislocates from its normal position, resulting in acute eye pain, vision loss, and potentially secondary glaucoma due to increased pressure in the eye.

• Glaucoma: This serious condition is characterized by increased pressure within the eyeball, which can damage the optic nerve. Symptoms may include redness in the eye, bulging of the eyeball, and vision loss, which can lead to blindness if untreated.