What are some common Shiba health problems?
Shibas in the US have not been studied enough to conclusively state any common health problems. Some health concerns that are being investigated to determine the rate of occurrence are: Hip Dysplasia– hereditary disease that, when severe, can cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the hips; most common in large breeds Patellar Luxation– hereditary disease causing the kneecap to pop out of place resulting in sporadic pain in mild cases and potential lameness and arthritis for more severe cases; most common in toy breeds Eye Disorders– several eye disorders are being studied to determine the rate of occurrence in the breed. These include: Entropion/Ectropion, a condition affecting the eyelid causing the lashes to damage the cornea; Glaucoma, a condition causing vision problems from intraocular pressure; Juvenile Cataracts, a condition leading to vision impairment or even blindness; Microphthalmia, a condition causing the eyeball to be abnormally small; Progressive Retinal A