There are 190 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and hundreds more designer and exotic breeds all with unique health concerns. Before purchasing a new dog, ask your veterinarian which predisposing medical conditions you should be aware of.

The most popular AKC breed is the Labrador Retriever, a large breed dog known for, you guessed it, retrieving. Whether it’s retrieving game or playing frisbee, this breed has an abundance of energy, is loyal, and great with children. Labs are predisposed to a multitude of health ailments including hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and exercise induced collapse (EIC). Fortunately there are surgical treatments to treat hip and elbow dysplasia, ophthamologist evaluations can diagnose ocular disease, and specific genetic tests are available to determine predispositions for EIC.

Bulldogs, french bulldogs, and other brachycephalic (smoosh-faced) dog breeds are predisposed to overheating, especially in warm climates. This group of dogs have a short soft palate and a small nose making it difficult for them to pant efficiently and thus release heat from their body. While these dogs are generally well mannered and adorable this breed does better in moderate climates. There are surgical options available to open up the airway and nostrils to improve brachycephalic dogs ability to breath.

The dachshund, short legged and long bodied, was originally bred to flush burrowing animals out of underground holes. With bold and lively personalities and weighing in around 20 pounds, some would say they suffer from the Napoleon complex. Their small stature predisposes them to back problems, specifically disc herniations, that can occur at a young age. This condition can lead to paralysis of the hind limbs, front limbs or both. If this occurs, an experienced surgeon is usually able to remove a disc impinging on a nerve, however even the most best surgeons can’t repair every injury. New techniques are being developed to remove a portion of each disc thus preventing disc herniation in dachshunds.

Another common and affectionate breed is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Historically a lap dog, these dogs originated from England in the 18th century. While they are crowd pleasers they are predisposed a multitude of serious medical conditions including heart disease and ear infections. A genetic mutation in Cavaliers can lead to mitral valve heart disease and heart failure at a young age. Visiting your family veterinarian on a regular basis to auscultate your dog's heart will go a long way in diagnosing heart disease. If there is suspicion of heart disease following up with a veterinary cardiologist to perform an echocardiogram will further characterize any heart abnormalities. Regular ear cleanings will help to prevent waxy build up and thus ear infections. You should also trim the hair from the inside of their ears and make sure to dry them completely after swimming or a bath.

As you can see each breed described as well as others have very specific predisposing health conditions. Prior to adding a dog to your family, it’s always best to speak with your veterinarian about your lifestyle and your goals of owning a dog.

Dr. Pete Lands is the Director of Emergency and Critical Care at Saint Francis Veterinary Center. In his time off he enjoys traveling, jogging, and gardening. He can be followed on instagram @petevet, his website petespetfacts.com, and emailed at petespetfacts@gmail.com.

Most pet owners have had their animal taken to “The Back”. It’s a mysterious place in a veterinary hospital that most owners have never seen. As the doors close, pets (and owners) may become anxious and nervous about being separated from their loved ones. But what really happens in The Back?

The Back, also called “Treatment,”  is an area of the hospital where in-depth examinations and treatments happen. From a more specific examination to blood draws to anal gland expressions, it is a place for the doctor to perform their service in an efficient and thorough manner.

This is an area of the hospital that is used to examine, diagnose and treat your pet. It is larger than the common consultation room. There are generally multiple exam tables, lab machines, x-ray equipment and other devices that vets use to aid in improving your animals’ health.

In The Back there are also extra veterinary team members that hold animals still while the doctor is assessing and treating your pet. While we would all love our clients to hold their own animals, veterinary technicians are skilled in protecting your pet and the veterinarian from injury.

The treatment area can also be quieter than the rest of the clinic or hospital. This allows the veterinarian to have a closer listen to your animals heart and lungs. Being in a quiet environment may also calm your pet.

Always keep in mind that we want what’s best for your animals; their health is our priority. If you’ve never seen The Back of your veterinarian’s hospital, ask for a tour. Most hospitals are more than willing to show off where all the magic happens.

Picture this scenario. Your 12 year old daughter who loves to ride horses spends her weekends at the local barn taking care of a beautiful filly. She tells you that she wants to be a horse veterinarian when she grows up. Since she’s your daughter, you want to guide her towards her dream. But should you?

Being a veterinarian is a very rewarding profession as we are able to facilitate the human-animal bond. We are able to work in complex environments and appreciate critical thinking. We take an oath to continue to learn and do no harm. It’s these intangible assets and many others that drive young college aged students toward becoming a veterinarian.

Are the rewards worth the sacrifice in time and money?  I argue, YES - but with the following disclaimer. The vast majority of veterinarians never become wealthy as their salaries are substantially less than human doctors and most other professionals. The average veterinarian makes $88,000 a year, however this salary does not take into account the large amount of debt that veterinarians accrue. This debt service greatly reduces our salary as a large percentage is paid as student debt.

The veterinary field has the highest (yes number one) student debt to income ratio in the country at  2 to 1. This means that for every 2 dollars of debt owed you make 1 dollar. The total average reported debt per student is about $175,000. Some will argue that this number is even higher as veterinary colleges have an incentive to create an appearance of lower debt and some oversea schools will not release complete financial data.

This problem is not going away anytime soon as new schools are being accredited each year and current schools are increasing their class sizes. More veterinarians overcrowding an employment pool gives large corporations and small practice owners the upper hand when negotiating salaries. Additionally, while women make up 75% of the field according the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) they may make 15-20% less in salary per year thus inflating the debt to income ratio.

To make matters worse, a recent study from the AVMA interviewing 10,000 veterinarians found that 15% of men and 19% of women have contemplated suicide and 1.1% of men and 1.4% of women have attempted suicide. Upwards of 25% of males and 37% percent of females in veterinary medicine have experienced depressive episodes since veterinary school, which is about 1 and 1/2 times the rate for the general population across all occupations.

You may be asking yourself, if my daughter is accepted, how will she deal with the pressures of school? Based on a survey of more than 14,000 veterinary students and 4,000 responses not too well. Sixty seven percent of students had experienced a period of depression, and of those, 37% had an episode lasting more than 2 weeks. The most surprising results of this study were that 25 percent of students reported taking medication for diagnosed depression or anxiety.

I can’t help but to think of all of my colleagues who are suffering with significant debt and mental illness. Veterinarians have dedicated nearly a decade of their lives to rigorous schooling only to find themselves 10 years later, knee deep in debt and struggling to make ends meet. Is this field sustainable on its current trajectory? NO. Veterinarians, as a community, must create a professional environment that is both secure and safe; one that will hopefully allow future generations to thrive and flourish.