What Is a Schnoodle?
This adorable pup is a crossbreed between a Miniature Schnauzer and a Poodle. This means first-generation puppies have a Schnauzer and a Poodle for a parent. Poodles and Schnauzers are two of the most popular dog breeds in the world, so it's no surprise they are regularly crossbred to get the best out of both breeds. A schnauzer Poodle Mix is typically a smaller dog that is charming, amusing, and smart. In terms of heredity, Poodles are known as intelligent, friendly, and versatile family dogs. Furthermore, Schnauzers are known for their energy, loyalty, and slight feistiness. After combining both of these breeds, the incredible Schnauzer Poodle Mix is the outcome. Schnoodle puppies also make for excellent watchdogs because of their double dosage of alertness from their Schnauzer and Poodle parents. However, because these dogs are crossbreeds, Schnoodle puppies will inherit unique genes and characteristics.
Important Facts To Know
Schnauzer Poodle Mix breed dogs are natural companion dogs. They are caring and love being with their owners every chance they get.
Not only do they love companionship, but Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown require a moderate level of activity. This involves being walked or having an active playtime each day. Schnoodles are able to play several dog sports such as agility, flyball, obedience, and rally.
They are the ultimate family pet and have gained popularity as a must-have designer breed. It's hard to find anybody who won't instantly fall in love with Schnoodle puppies.
Are They Hypoallergenic?
Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown are fantastic options for people that are allergic to dogs. They have hair-like coats with very little shedding and low dander. It is, however, possible for people to still be allergic to hypoallergenic dogs. So, you should make sure to spend some time around Schnoodle puppies before getting one to see if your allergies act up.
Overall, a Schnauzer Poodle Mix is not 100% hypoallergenic, but most people who have normal dog allergies are able to live with Schnoodle adults and puppies without any issues.
How Big Do They Get?
Since they're crossbred, their full-grown size can widely vary. They can range up to 75 pounds as Schnoodle adults or stay as small as 6 pounds.
The reason their size can range so widely is Poodles and Schnauzers come in a variety of different sizes. Typically, these dogs are separated into three different size categories: small, medium, and giant.
Small Schnoodles are a mix of a Toy Poodle and a Miniature Schnauzer and range from 6 to 10 pounds. These lovely tiny critters make for great travel companions and can be easily held.
Medium size Schnoodles are mixes of a Miniature Poodle and a Standard Schnauzer. These dogs range from 12 to 20 pounds and are a great size to be a family dog.
The Giant Schnauzer Poodle Mix is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Giant Schnauzer. These can weigh anywhere from 20 to 75 pounds. If you choose to go this route, be ready for a big and energetic buddy.
Are They Good Pets?
Schnoodle puppies make for wonderful and loving pets. Just like their Schnauzer parent, this breed is extremely loyal and will follow you around wherever you go. A Schnauzer Poodle Mix's favorite place is wherever you are!
They are very affectionate, social, and will surely keep you entertained and on your toes. In terms of trainability, Schnoodle puppies are an extremely intelligent dog breed that learns quickly.
There's a reason people describe Schnoodle puppies as "forever happy". You'll notice they are constantly wagging their tail and looking to play with you, but they aren't outdoor dogs who want to spend their time around the yard. Instead, they should be kept in your home with the rest of the family members.
Schnoodle's quickly build companionship with the entire family and will also show traits of protectiveness. Although they aren't classified as attack dogs, they will vocally demonstrate their aggressiveness to potential intruders.
How Long Do They Live?
Typically, a Schnoodle full grown lifespan ranges from 10 to 18 years. However, their specific lifespan is related to the general health and lifestyle of the Schnauzer Poodle mix, as well as its size. In general, small dogs like a Schnauzer Poodle mix tend to have longer life spans than larger ones.
What Color Are They?
Since Schnoodle puppies are derived from Schnauzers and Poodles, the color of their fur often varies. Schnoodles usually come in a mixed color. These colors can range from chocolate, white, grey, silver, and black. The best way to determine his color when he's fully grown is to find out what color his parents were.
History
Dog breeders have been crossing different types of dogs for thousands of years in an attempt to achieve their desired look, intelligence, and temperament. Schnoodle puppies were first introduced in the 1980s as a designer breed and have been popular ever since. This is because dog owners wanted something different than the Miniature Schnauzer or Poodle but still wanted the best characteristics from both.
The original goal of the Schnauzer Poodle mix was to create a low-shedding and low-dander family dog. Their goal was to create an allergy-friendly dog that was also intelligent, energetic, and charming. As result, Schnoodle puppies are the ultimate four-legged companion and the original breeders' goal was a success.
Because genetic traits sort out randomly in each Schnauzer Poodle mix, breeders need to select certain characteristics over many generations for the best chance of achieving what they desire.
Although Schnoodle puppies are usually the result of breeding purebred Schnauzers and Poodles, many have started breeding multigenerational Schnoodle puppies. This means that instead of Schnauzer and Poodle parents, the Schnoodle puppies have two Schnoodle parents.
Schnauzer History
Schnauzers originated in Germany around the 14th century and were bred as herders, ratters, and guard dogs. If you've never heard of a "ratter", it means exactly how it sounds; they were often used to keep rats or other vermin away.
The Schnauzer's name comes from the German word "snout" which also translates to a mustache. This was due to the dogs' distinctively bearded snout.
Similar to the Schnoodle, there are three types of Schnauzer breeds: Standard, Giant, and Miniature. Standard Schnauzers were used in farms because of their large variety of skills. They were also extremely obedient and made for an all-purpose dog. The Giant and Miniature Schnauzers were crossbred from the Standard Schnauzer and other breeds.
Due to their watchdog roots, Schnauzers are extremely alert, intelligent, trainable, and loyal. They are also extremely active and require a moderate amount of exercise to be satisfied.
Furthermore, they will usually require constant attention and activity in order to be happy. Their intelligence can cause mischief as well. They will quickly learn how to open up cabinets and attempt to get extra food. However, proper training will eliminate most risks of misbehavior in Schnoodle puppies and full grown Schnoodle.
Poodle History
There is a bit of controversy regarding the origins of the Poodle and how it came to be. Both France and Germany claim to have bred and developed the Schnauzer Poodle mix, and France even made their national animal the Poodle.
However, Poodles were bred as water dogs that hunted waterfowl over four centuries ago. They were used to retrieve game that had been shot and to recover arrows and bolts. Due to their long hair, they are able to withstand the freezing conditions of water without irritation.
Later on, France started breeding Poodles as circus performers because of their intelligence and entertaining nature. They performed a variety of tricks such as tightrope walking, magic tricks, card tricks, and much more.
Overall, Poodles are active, energetic, intelligent, and sociable. This makes them amazing companions and is one of the reasons Schnoodle puppies are so popular.
Intelligence and Personality
Schnoodle puppies' personalities will be partly affected by genetics and partly affected by the environment. The Schnoodle puppies mother is more likely to influence the behavior of Schnoodle puppies. Miniature Schnauzers and Poodles are usually friendly and outgoing, so you should be in for a treat if you are deciding to get one.
How each specific puppy turns out depends on his uniquely inherited traits, what he learns from his mother and siblings and the amount of socialization he receives before going to his new home. Schnoodle puppies shouldn't be aggressive and the puppy's parents should allow you to approach them.
These cute bundles of joy love being the center of attention. Schnoodle puppies are eager to please and love being around people. As you're training Schnoodle puppies, be sure to use positive reinforcement techniques and offer a lot of tender loving care. We recommend training your puppy the second you bring him home. Even at a young age, he will begin learning everything you teach him.
Also, be sure to look for puppy parents that have charming personalities.
In terms of intelligence, Schnoodle puppies inherit both the wit and cleverness from the Schnauzer and Poodle. In fact, the Schnauzer and the Poodle are frequently written about in the smartest dog breed lists. Schnoodle puppies thrive extremely well with proper training and are quick learners. However, this high level of intelligence can be a double-edged sword at times because Schnoodle puppies can be stubborn and standoffish.
Health Considerations
Whether a dog is purebred or crossbred, all dogs are susceptible to developing health problems. Overall, Schnoodle full grown are a relatively healthy breed of dog without many potentially serious medical issues. However, Schnoodle puppies inherit a lot of the same health risks that Schnauzers and Poodles face.
Below is a list of the most common diseases and conditions that affect the Schnauzer Poodle Mix.
Cognitive Health
Due to the intelligent nature of Schnoodle puppies, their overall cognitive health is above average when compared to other breeds. However, they are genetically predisposed to a higher risk of epilepsy.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting Schnoodle puppies and affects around 0.75% of all canines. It's a heterogeneous disease defined by recurrent and unprovoked seizures caused by an abnormality in the dog's brain.
In other words, the brain seems to be normal but acts abnormally and causes seizures.
How Does Epilepsy Affect My Dog?
Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated mild to severe seizures. Seizures usually occur when the Schnauzer Poodle mix is resting or sleeping and are seen by unusual behavior or shaking. More specifically, a seizure is a random surge in brain activity that causes twitching, tremors, shaking, convulsions, and spasms.
Seizures can differ in appearance and can be focalized or generalized. Focalized seizures only affect one part of the body and generalized seizures affect the entire body. As such, generalized seizures are more common and can be seen by a stiffening of the neck and legs, stumbling over, drooling, loss of bladder control, defecating, and violent shaking. On average, seizures last about 30 to 90 seconds, and your Schnauzer Poodle mix will be completely unaware of his surroundings.
After the seizure passes, your Schnauzer Poodle mix can look confused, disoriented, and tired. This period is called the post-ictal period.
Before the seizure starts, many canines experience the aura stage. The aura stage is when your pet appears anxious, frightened, or dazed. About 2 percent of dogs will face a seizure throughout their lifetime.
Although most Schnauzer Poodle mixes with epilepsy don't face any serious issues, it's possible that epilepsy is a symptom of a larger issue. Usually, a younger Schnauzer Poodle mix will have more severe epilepsy.
How Dangerous Are Seizures?
Although they can be terrifying to witness, a single standard seizure is not painful and doesn't cause any long-term damage to the dog's brain. The best thing you can do is to make sure your Schnauzer Poodle mix doesn't hurt itself by bumping into any objects or falling down off of something.
However, seizures can be dangerous if the baby or Schnoodle full grown has multiple seizures within a short period of time or if the seizure lasts for longer than 5 minutes. If any of these situations occur, you should immediately bring your Schnauzer Poodle mix to the hospital.
What Causes Epilepsy?
The cause of epilepsy can be genetic or caused by structural problems of the brain; however, the exact cause is unknown. Both Poodles and Schnauzers have an increased genetic risk of epilepsy, which is why Schnoodle puppies are more susceptible as well. Furthermore, epilepsy is a chronic disorder that's caused by a range of factors such as trauma, exposure to toxins, problems with the Schnauzer Poodle mix blood or organs, and genetic abnormalities.
How is Epilepsy Diagnosed?
Since the origin of epilepsy is usually unknown, it's only diagnosed after all other causes of seizure have been eliminated. This means that epilepsy is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Your veterinarian will look through a thorough medical history of your baby or adult schnoodle and administer physical examinations. Then, they may also administer additional tests for bile acids, cerebrospinal (CSF) testing, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
You will also need to maintain a seizure log that records the date, time, length, and severity of the seizes with videotapes to show your physician.
How is Epilepsy Treated?
The appropriate treatment for epilepsy depends on the type of seizures and underlying cause of them. For this reason, only your veterinarian will be able to determine the proper medication and treatment for your dog's needs. To treat epilepsy, your veterinarian will prescribe anticonvulsant medication. Anticonvulsants are commonly used to treat epileptic seizures. However, once this medication is started, Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults will most likely need it for life. Stopping the medication abruptly can cause further seizures and risks.
Therefore, anticonvulsant medication is only prescribed if your baby or Schnoodle full grown meets certain criteria:
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More than one seizure per month
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Clusters of seizures
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Severe or grand mal seizure
Veterinarians will commonly prescribe phenobarbital, potassium bromate, or zonisamide to curb your dog's seizures. With any medication, your Schnauzer Poodle mix will need monthly blood tests to monitor the blood concentration of each specific medication.
What's the Prognosis of Schnauzer Poodle Mix With Epilepsy?
Unfortunately, epilepsy is a neurological condition that cannot be cured. If your Schnauzer Poodle mix is diagnosed with epilepsy, the prescribed medication is used to control and moderate seizures. Your dog will most likely need this medicine as Schnoodle adults for the rest of his life.
Luckily, this medication is effective, and your loving pet can potentially live a seizure-free life. However, most Schnoodle puppies still end up having seizures but less frequently.
Epilepsy will only be fatal if the seizures last around 5 minutes or more. This is called status epilepticus, and your Schnauzer Poodle mix may die or suffer irreversible brain damage if intravenous anticonvulsants aren't administered immediately.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety go hand-in-hand with Schnoodle puppies. The main cause of stress within Schnoodle puppies is separation anxiety. This occurs when Schnoodle puppies are left alone for extended periods of time. Since Schnoodle puppies are so social and active, they require constant human attention and love.
When separation anxiety occurs, Schnoodle puppies will usually display a range of stress signals. These include excessive barking, pacing, chewing, excessive drooling, nonstop running, and attempts to escape.
How To Spot Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is noticed when Schnoodle puppies or Schnoodle adults start misbehaving the moment you leave the home. They will start barking, whining, and display even more destructive behaviors.
Causes of Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is often unknowingly caused by the owners themselves. Since you most likely smother Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults the most when you arrive home, it seems to him that you're rewarding the extended period of alone time. For this reason, every time you're leaving the house, your small or Schnoodle full grown will become extremely stressed.
Furthermore, it's likely you spent exponentially more time with the dog when they were a puppy. As they become Schnoodle adults, you may feel they don't require as much attention as before. However, this isn't the case, and they will most likely still need you just as much. You, as the pet owner, are the main source of their confidence and security. The lack of attention could leave your dog feeling unworthy and invalidated whenever you're away for extended periods of time.
How To Deal With Separation Anxiety
There are a variety of ways to successfully deal with your dog's separation anxiety. Since it's highly unlikely you'll be at home every minute of every day, let's discuss how to leave your Schnoodle puppies at home alone.
The first step is to make Schnoodle adults and puppies feel as comfortable as possible. You should leave them with everything they need for the entire day. This includes a comfortable bed they can relax on and their favorite toys to play with. A high-quality bed is key because it will allow him to rest and take soothing naps. The toys will keep him entertained and busy.
You should also remove any potentially dangerous objects and keep your home clutter-free. Since Schnoodle puppies love to run and jump around, you don't want your pet getting injured when nobody is at home.
Along with this, it's recommended to set up a pet cam, so you can monitor his behavior when he's alone. This will help you determine if your Schnoodle puppies are actually suffering from separation anxiety.
While you are with your Schnauzer Poodle mix, make sure he's receiving an adequate amount of exercise and activity. Remember, Schnauzers and Poodles were both bred as intelligent work dogs that were constantly moving around. Try spending 30 minutes to an hour each day walking or playing with your baby or Schnoodle full grown.
Finally, the main way of dealing with separation anxiety is through obedience training and discipline. This involves teaching your Schnauzer Poodle mix to be independent and confident. This method shows your Schnoodle puppies what's expected of them and promotes healthy behavior. Training should be done often and consistently. Teach your Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults to stay where they are when you go to different rooms in your house.
We recommend learning the best ways to train and teach your Schnoodle puppies positive habits. Just a bit of consistent effort and patience on your end can pay dividends in the long run for the overall mental health of your Schnoodle puppies.
As a last resort, you can hire a pet-sitter to watch your Schnauzer Poodle mix while you're away. Find somebody who has proven experience, good referrals, and understands the needs of your Schnoodle puppies. This should be done alongside consistent training, so your Schnauzer Poodle mix can learn to be alone without a dog-sitter watching him.
Physical Health Considerations
In this section, we'll discuss the common physical health conditions that affect Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown.
Allergies
Although Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults are a generally healthy breed, most Schnoodles are prone to allergies. However, most are easily manageable and treatable, and allergies in Schnoodle puppies will usually manifest in the form of a skin reaction.
What Causes Allergies in Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
Allergies in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults are moderately common conditions that may start affecting your lovable pet at the age of 1 to 2. Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown are either genetically predisposed to allergies or develop allergies due to constant exposure to allergens such as dairy, egg, wheat, and rabbit. Furthermore, environmental factors such as pollen, grass, and dust mites can lead to allergy development.
Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown allergies will usually manifest themselves in the form of skin and gastrointestinal problems. This is because the cells that release histamines in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults occur marginally higher in the skin.
If you notice your Schnauzer Poodle mix rubbing his face, sneezing, itching his ears, constantly licking, chewing, or scratching his paws, there's a high chance these are allergic reactions. You may also notice poor coat texture and hair length.
Additional symptoms that your Schnauzer is suffering from allergies include excessive gas, breathing problems, diarrhea, eye or nose discharge, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
The most common causes of allergies in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults are bacterial allergies, skin allergies, flea allergies, food allergies, inhalant allergies, and so forth.
Bacterial allergies are caused by conditions such as flea allergy and hypothyroidism. This leads to conditions like hair loss and an unpleasant odor produced by the skin.
Skin allergies are caused by allergens like flea collars, mold, dust, bedding, plastic, grass, and bedding. These allergens cause itching, redness, and swelling on your dog's face, legs, and paws.
For food allergies, Schnoodle adults and Schnoodle puppies can be potentially allergic to beef, pork, chicken, eggs, wheat, corn, soy, and dairy. Food allergies manifest in the form of diarrhea, itchy skin, and chronic skin infections.
Flea allergies are when your Schnauzer Poodle mix emits an exaggerated inflammatory response to flea bites. The saliva induced by the bite may cause hair loss, open sores, and scratching or chewing that results in skin damage. You will notice excessive and intensive itching if your dog has flea allergies.
Inhalant allergies are the most common form of dog allergies. It's caused by allergens such as weed pollens, mold, tree pollens, mildew, and house dust mites. Inhalant allergies manifest in the form of itchy skin, bronchitis, or allergic rhinitis. You will also notice your Schnauzer Poodle mix licking his feet, rubbing his face, or scratching his underarms.
When Should You Visit a Vet
If the signs of allergies are recurring or become much worse, it's recommended you visit your vet for a complete check-up. Allergy symptoms could potentially be symptoms of something more serious, so it's in your best interests to make sure everything is okay.
Furthermore, if your veterinarian is able to rule out more serious issues, they can then accurately detect the cause of the allergy symptoms.
How to Treat Allergies
The specific treatment needed for your dog's allergies depends on the root allergen and cause. Bacterial allergies are detected by blood tests. If the test shows your Schnauzer Poodle mix has bacterial allergies, they will administer antibiotics to treat it.
To treat skin allergies, allergy shots and more frequent baths are recommended. You should also use hypoallergenic shampoos and antihistamines. Furthermore, it's recommended to eliminate all use of potential allergens, such as plastic bowls.
For food allergies, you'll need to determine the exact allergen that's causing problems. This involves performing an elimination diet where you introduce entirely new and pure food to see if your dog's symptoms improve over the course of 8 to 12 weeks. Elimination diets require feeding your Schnauzer Poodle mix a simple ingredient for the entire testing period. This comes in the form of one protein and carbohydrate your baby or Schnoodle full grown has never eaten before.
Flea allergies are treated by extreme flea control, so your pup isn't bitten in the future. Furthermore, you can use medications and antibiotics to control the itchiness and scratching.
Inhalant allergies can be treated with an intradermal skin test performed by a veterinarian. This will help discover the antigen causing Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown to develop inhalant allergies. You will also be recommended to perform shampoo therapy, anti-inflammatory therapy, and/or hypersensitive therapy. Shampoo therapy involves frequent baths using a hypoallergenic shampoo to soothe itchy and inflamed skin. Anti-inflammatory therapy entails medication such as antihistamines and corticosteroids which block allergic reactions
Gut Health
In this section, you'll learn about a specific condition that is more commonly found in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults.
Gastric Dilation-Volvulus
Gastric Dilation-Volvulus is also known as bloat. This disease causes the dog's stomach to distend and twist, which doesn't allow the Schnauzer Poodle mix to expel gas. As a result, the dog's blood pressure drops and can lead to fatal consequences.
How Does Gastric Dilation Volvulus Affect My Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
In GDV's early stages, Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown stomachs will fill with gas causing bloat, or gastric dilation. Occasionally, the condition doesn't progress any further than this. However, it can also progress from bloat into a volvulus in which the gas-filled stomach starts to twist and block off the entrance and opening in the stomach.
Symptoms can be shown in bloat (swollen tummy), stomach pain, collapse, excessive salivating, retching (attempting to vomit without bringing anything out), restlessness, and sluggishness. GDV symptoms start very abruptly and get worse extremely fast, so it's imperative you contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice any of the symptoms above in Schnoodle puppies or Schnoodle adults. The sooner your Schnauzer Poodle mix is treated, the better his chance of survival.
What Causes Gastric Dilation Volvulus in Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
The exact cause of gastric dilation volvulus in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown is still unknown. However, this condition has a higher risk of occurring if your Schnauzer Poodle mix is fed one large meal a day, eats extremely fast, drinks a lot of water, or exercises immediately after eating. Stress and anxiety in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown are also potential causes of GDV.
To reduce the risk of GDV, it's recommended your Schnauzer Poodle mix eats multiple smaller meals per day, making sure he's comfortable and relaxed, adding canned dog food to his diet, and feeding dry food containing meat that's high in calcium.
How is Gastric Dilation Volvulus Diagnosed?
Generally, vets will recommend bloodwork that includes a complete blood count, blood electrolytes, serum chemistry, and urinalysis. This allows the veterinarian to determine the metabolic disturbances that may be occurring in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown. It also allows them to eliminate other diseases that show the same symptoms as GDV.
In addition, your veterinarian may use x-rays and an electrocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown. To determine the severity of the GDV, they may also perform a blood gas analysis on Shnoodle adults and Schnoodle puppies.
How is Gastric Dilation Volvulus Treated?
GDV is a life-threatening emergency to Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown that requires immediate medical attention. The goal is to release the pressure on the stomach wall and internal organs as soon as possible. This requires surgery to return the stomach to its normal position and to remove any dead or dying stomach tissues to prevent future cases.
First, the veterinarian will stabilize your Schnauzer Poodle mix condition with intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy. Then, they will follow with gastric decompression which involves passing a tube down the esophagus into the stomach. The tube will help liberate the air and fluid accumulation and will also use water to flush out and remove any remaining food particles. Furthermore, a needle or catheter can be placed into the stomach from outside the body to help release air.
If determined to be required, surgery will also be performed on Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown. This involves fully exploring the abdomen and stomach. They will either perform partial gastrectomy which is removing part of the stomach wall or splenectomy which is removing part of the spleen.
Once the stomach is returned to its normal position, the physician will perform gastropexy, which is permanently fixing the stomach to the abdominal wall. This will help prevent further cases of GDV in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus Surgery Cost
GDV surgery is extremely complex and intensive which results in an expensive medical bill. It's vital you speak honestly to your veterinarian about your finances and the cost of treatment for Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown. If your Schnauzer Poodle mix is insured, your insurance company will be able to cover part or all of the surgery cost for Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus Recovery
After surgery, your Schnauzer Poodle mix will potentially have to stay at the clinic to be monitored for conditions such as peritonitis. This is an infection of the abdomen in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown that can occur due to the surgery.
Your Schnauzer Poodle mix will be able to return home once your veterinarian is confident of the dog's condition and recovery progression. Once Schnoodle puppies or Schnoodle adults are home, you'll need to continue monitoring them for symptoms like low energy, vomiting, lack of appetite, and potential bloat.
The Prognosis of Gastric Dilation Volvulus
The average mortality rate of GDV is approximately 15%. There's a higher chance of fatality depending on the severity of the disease and how long it's been affecting your Schnauzer Poodle mix. However, this rate is increased to 38% if heart arrhythmias are present in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown at the time of diagnosis.
If partial gastropexy is required to remove part of the stomach, the rate of mortality in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown is 28% to 38%. Furthermore, if the Schnoodle's spleen needs to be removed, the mortality rate in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown is 32% to 38%.
Eye Health
Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown eyes are very similar to human eyes. Even though Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults see a bit differently than us, they also have corneas, rods, pupils, lenses, and cones that work just like ours.
Since their eyes are so similar, they are also susceptible to the same eye conditions that we face. One of the eye conditions that Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown face are cataracts.
Cataracts
Canine cataracts are an eye condition that occurs when a cloudy membrane forms over the eye, causing vision loss. All Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown have water and protein inside of their eyes. Cataracts form when the proteins start to clump together and form a cloud-like substance in the eye lens. As more and more proteins gather, they can eventually cloud over the entire eye lens in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown.
Cataracts can develop slowly or quickly, depending on the underlying factors in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults. Fortunately, cataracts are highly treatable, and your Schnauzer Poodle mix can live a long and fulfilling life without any eye and vision problems.
How Do Cataracts Affect My Dog?
As far as symptoms go, you can notice cataracts if Schnoodle puppies or Schnoodle full grown have a blue, grey, or white layer in its eye. Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults will also display signs of clumsiness, eye irritation, eye redness, watery discharge, or abnormal blinking.
What Causes Cataracts in Dogs?
Cataracts are usually an inherited condition but can also be caused by diabetes. Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle full grown are also more susceptible to diabetes. Studies show that 75% of dogs will face cataracts within the first year of diagnosis of diabetes. Furthermore, cataracts can be caused by eye injuries that lead to inflammation and the development of cataracts.
Poodles are more prone to develop cataracts which in turn causes Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults to be more prone as well.
What Are The Signs of Cataracts?
Luckily, cataracts are easy to spot. They manifest in the form of a clouded look in the dog's pupil and usually manifest as your Schnauzer Poodle mix grows older.
How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?
To diagnose cataracts, your vet will examine the dog's eye with a bright light and magnifying glass. The vet can also administer blood tests to determine if any underlying problems caused cataracts.
Will Your Schnauzer Poodle Mix Go Blind?
Cataracts can only cause full blindness in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults if they're left untreated. However, sometimes they only develop enough to slightly reduce vision.
To preserve your dog's sight, it's recommended to examine your dog's eyes regularly, take your Schnauzer Poodle mix to the vet if their eyes are bluish-grey or cloudy, and visit your vet if you notice your pet has trouble seeing.
Sight is such an important factor in regards to the quality of life in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults, so it's imperative you stay on top of any symptoms you notice.
If cataracts remain untreated in Schnoodle puppies or Schnoodle adults, they can lead to other disorders such as glaucoma. Glaucoma is a painful eye disease that also leads to permanent vision loss in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults.
How Are Cataracts Treated?
The specific treatment recommended for Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults depends on the overall severity of cataracts. If the cataracts are discovered early, your vet may recommend period monitoring instead of surgery. It's possible that cataracts remain small and don't impair your dog's vision. Furthermore, your Schnauzer Poodle mix may be administered eye drops to control inflammation. However, in more severe cases, the only option is surgery. There's no medication that can eliminate cataracts.
During cataract surgery, Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults will be under general anesthesia and the physician will use a microscope to see inside the eye. The surgeon will then insert an ultrasonic instrument into the dog's eye to break the cataract apart, so it can be taken out in smaller pieces. Afterward, the surgeon will remove the lens and insert an artificial lens made from plastic or acrylic. This will restore your dog's vision to a near-normal state.
Cataract Surgery Cost
Cataract surgery is potentially very expensive for Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults. Each eye that's operated on can cost a few thousand dollars. Depending on the severity of your dog's health and cataracts, the total cost of treatment may range over $5,000. This includes pre-operative costs of $500 to $1,000 and surgery costs of $3,000 to $4,500.
Cataract Surgery Recovery
Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults will most likely need to stay one night at the animal hospital for post-op care and monitoring.
Once your Schnauzer Poodle mix is back at home, it should be placed in a protective collar to prevent them from rubbing its eyes. You will also be given eye drops to put in your dog's eyes to keep them moisturized and promote healthy healing. Furthermore, your Schnauzer Poodle mix will need excessive rest and relaxation for a few weeks to allow full healing of their eye.
Ear Health
Due to the hairy inner ear flaps that Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults have, they are more prone to ear infections. Although ear infections are easy to clear up with treatment, they can develop into more serious conditions if not detected on time.
Symptoms of Ear Infections
Since ear infections are typically uncomfortable or painful, they are usually easy to spot. You may notice Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults scratching at their ears, rubbing their ears on the ground, shaking their head, or frequently tilting their head to one side.
If you see any of these behaviors, you should further inspect your dog's ear and look for redness, inflammation, crusting, hair loss, a smelly odor, and black or yellow discharge. As the ear infection gets more severe, you may also notice a loss of balance, walking in endless circles, or hearing loss.
Causes of Ear Infections
There are three main causes of ear infections in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults. These include otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna.
Otitis externa is the most common ear infection and develops when the external ear canal becomes inflamed.
Otitis media is an infection that occurs in the middle ear canal and usually appears when an infection spreads from the exterior ear canal.
Otitis interna occurs in the inner ear canal and can cause severe consequences. If it's left untreated, otitis interna can cause deafness and/or paralysis of the face. This also occurs when external ear infections are left untreated for extended periods of time.
As stated, most ear infections start in the external ear canal. Furthermore, most ear infections are commonly caused by an accumulation of yeast and/or bacteria.
These are other common causes of ear infections:
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Excess moisture in the ear canal
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Skin or food allergies
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Endocrine/autoimmune disorders
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Excessive ear wax buildup
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Foreign body in the ear canal
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Injury to the ear canal
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Cleaning the dog's ears too frequently
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Ear mites
Diagnosis for Ear Infections
If you suspect your dog may have an ear infection, it's best you bring him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Ear infections in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults don't go away by themselves and require medical intervention.
The veterinarian will first confirm the infection and then diagnose the cause and type of the infection. They'll check for foreign objects and see if the eardrum has ruptured.
Treatment for Ear Infections
The treatment for ear infections depends on the severity of the infection in Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults. Topical medications can be used for mild infections. This medication contains antibiotics, antifungal properties, and glucocorticoids. It can be applied directly to the external ear canal.
More severe cases may require antibiotics to be delivered orally or with an injection. This method is typically used when the infection is further inside the ear canal or when infections are recurring and long-term. For extreme cases, a combination of antibiotics and corticosteroids is used.
In general, it takes 2 to 4 weeks of consistent treatment for the infection to disappear. However, the course of treatment may be different depending on the cause of infection and if they're recurring or not.
It's extremely dangerous to try and use home remedies to treat Schnoodle puppies and Schnoodle adults. These home remedies can cause even more swelling and moisture, leading to a more severe infection. For this reason, it's a necessity to bring an infected Schnauzer Poodle mix for treatment at a clinic.
How To Prevent Ear Infections
The biggest contributing factor to ear infections in Schnoodle puppies is too much hair. Excess hair blocks airflow to the ear which creates a moist environment allowing bacteria and yeast to thrive. So, the best thing you can do is keep your dog's ear hair trimmed.
Furthermore, it's recommended you also regularly clean your dog's ears. However, make sure you don't overly clean his ears. Cleaning should only be administered every 1 to 2 weeks. Excessive cleaning will remove too much healthy ear wax that helps trap particles from entering further down the ear canal. You should only use high-quality ear cleaning solutions to clean your dog's ears. Also, you will need a dropper head to deposit the solution into your pet's ear.
Along with ear hair maintenance and ear cleaning, it's also recommended to examine your dog's ears on a weekly basis. You should check for redness, inflammation, excessive dirt, parasites, injuries, and discharge. Lastly, you'll want to keep your dog's ears as dry as possible. Make sure to dry them off thoroughly after baths, swims, and water drinking.
Immune Health
Schnoodle puppies are more genetically predisposed to two different immune disorders. These are diabetes mellitus and Addison's disease. Neither of these conditions is fatal unless treated too late, and your Schnauzer Poodle mix will be able to live a happy and fulfilling life despite them.
Diabetus Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus affects around 1% of all canines and is a disease that occurs in the pancreas. This condition occurs when your dog's body cannot regulate blood levels properly. This results in an insulin deficiency.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for allowing glucose (sugar) in the blood to enter cells. This provides them with the energy needed to function. A lack of insulin results in a high concentration of glucose in the bloodstream. This further results in all the symptoms of diabetes discussed below.
Diabetes isn't curable, but proper treatment will allow your cute Schnauzer Poodle mix to live a long and healthy life.
How Does Diabetes Affect My Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
Diabetes results in a loss of weight, frequent urination, increased appetite, and frequent thirstiness. When there's a lack of insulin, the cells in your dog's body are starved of glucose, which is their primary source of energy. Through this starvation, the dog's body begins breaking down fat and protein stores for energy. This causes weight loss even though your Schnauzer Poodle mix is eating more. Furthermore, your dog tries to get rid of the excess glucose through urination.
What Causes Diabetes in a Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
The exact cause of diabetes is unknown. However, Miniature Poodles and Schnauzers are more genetically predisposed to diabetes than most breeds. This disease occurs more frequently in middle-aged dogs, and female dogs are affected twice as often compared to male Schnoodle puppies and adults. Obesity is a potential cause of diabetes because being overweight causes the cells to become more insulin resistant.
How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed by testing for high levels of glucose in the dog's blood and urine. There are three types of diabetes depending on the severity of the condition.
Type I diabetes is caused by total or near-complete elimination of the insulin-producing beta cells. This is the most common type of diabetes found in canines. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin shots.
Type II diabetes is caused by an insufficient amount of insulin being produced. Although some insulin-producing cells remain, your dog will still require treatment. Type II diabetes typically occurs in a Schnoodle full grown that's also obese. It can be treated with an oral medication that stimulates the remaining cells to produce/release adequate amounts of insulin to normalize blood sugar. Schnoodle puppies that don't respond well to the medications will also require insulin injections.
Type III diabetes is caused by other hormones that resist insulin. This can be due to pregnancy or hormone-secreting tumors.
Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
Addison's disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism and is a severe illness caused by insufficient production of adrenal hormones by the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands are a pair of small glands located near the kidneys. These essential glands are responsible for producing cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol is a stress hormone and aldosterone is a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium within the body.
How Does Addison's Disease Affect My Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
The exact symptoms of Addison's disease are usually vague and hard to pinpoint. However, Addison's disease may present itself in the form of sluggishness, lack of appetite, increased thirst and urination, and vomiting
What Causes Addison's Disease in a Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
Addison's disease is typically caused by an immune-mediated demolition of adrenal tissue. It is also less commonly caused by trauma, infection, or cancer to the adrenal glands. Certain breeds, such as Poodles are more genetically predisposed to Addison's disease.
The second form of Addison's disease can also develop if your Schnauzer Poodle mix has been treated with steroids for a long duration and suddenly stops the medication.
How Is Addison's Disease Diagnosed?
The most conclusive diagnostic test for Addison's disease is the ACTH stimulation test. This test measures your dog's cortisol levels. Furthermore, the ACTH stimulation test will be accompanied by your pet's medical history, blood tests, and urine tests. This will offer a definitive diagnosis.
How Is Addison's Disease Treated?
Most Schnoodle puppies that are diagnosed with Addison's disease can be successfully treated. In terms of treatment, your veterinarian will prescribe either an injected or oral medication that replaces the missing mineralocorticoid aldosterone. Your dogs's diet and activity typically don't have to change, and your adorable pet will be able to resume a normal life.
Joint Health
In terms of joint health, there are two conditions that are more commonly seen in Schnoodle puppies than in other breeds. These are Legg-Perthes disease and patellar luxation.
Both of these conditions occur in a small percentage of Schnoodle puppies as this breed usually has superior joint health.
Legg-Perthes Disease
Legg-Perthes disease has many nicknames, including Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Regardless of its nomenclature, Legg-Perthes disease affects the hip joint and causes limping. More specifically, this disease lowers the amount of blood supplied to the femur and causes the pelvis to break apart. As a result, your Schnauzer Poodle mix will display noticeable lameness while walking.
How Does Legg-Perthes Disease Affect My Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
Legg-Perthes disease causes limping on the affected leg. The limping will start off slowly and progress over a period of a few weeks. Eventually, the Schnauzer Poodle mix won't be able to place any weight on the affected leg. Usually, only one hip will be affected and in some cases, pain and lameness abruptly develop.
Schnoodle puppies may show signs of pain when the affected leg is touched or handled, particularly in the latter stages of the disease. Furthermore, you can expect your Schnauzer Poodle mix to lose muscle mass in the affected leg as it won't be used.
What Causes Legg-Perthes Disease in a Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
The exact reason this disease develops is still unclear, but some studies suggest it may be caused by clots within the blood vessels of the hip. However, genetics seem to be the main culprit although it's not confirmed. Furthermore, this disease is more commonly seen in smaller Schnoodle puppies that weigh under 20 pounds, and lameness is usually observed between 5 and 8 months of age.
How Is Legg-Perthes Disease Diagnosed?
Legg-Perthes disease is diagnosed by x-rays of the dog's hips. In early detection of the disease, the normal density of the femur may be diminished. As time progresses, the femoral head will flatten as the cartilage and underlying bone deteriorate.
How Is Legg-Perthes Disease Treated?
Surgery is usually required to treat Legg-Perthes disease. Although medications can be prescribed to deal with inflammation and pain, these never resolve the actual problem.
As such, the best surgical procedure to treat this disease is femoral head and neck osteotomy (FHNO). This procedure removes the diseased femoral head and neck that is causing the pain. Although this involves removing half of the hip joint, the Schnauzer Poodle mix will be able to return to normal pain-free functionality in the majority of cases.
For post-operation care, it's recommended the Schnauzer Poodle mix is closely monitored to see if he starts using the surgically repaired leg. After 1-2 weeks, your Schnauzer Poodle mix will be able to bear moderate weight on the affected leg. However, it may take longer depending on how much the muscle atrophied. As your Schnauzer Poodle mix heals, you should encourage him to move on the leg to promote healthy muscle development.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is a disease that affects the dog's kneecap or patella. This disease occurs when the bones of the kneecap are improperly aligned with the thigh groove and slip in and out of place. The patella will dislocate or pop out of position and go towards the inner or outside part of the leg.
How Does Patellar Luxation Affect My Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
Patellar luxation can be noticed by a change in your dog's stride. Affected Schnoodle puppies will be seen hopping on one leg while stretching the other leg out. It does this in an attempt to pop its kneecap back into place. When the kneecap is moved back into position, your Schnauzer Poodle mix will carry on as if nothing happened.
However, patellar luxation isn't life-threatening and doesn't come with much pain. Early detection and treatment are key though. Untreated patellar luxation can lead to arthritis and an overall degradation in the function of the legs.
What Causes Patellar Luxation in a Schnauzer Poodle Mix?
The cause of a luxating patella is through heredity and genetics. In fact, small or toy breed dogs such as Poodles have a genetic predisposition for patellar luxation. For this reason, Schnoodle puppies also have a higher than average chance of catching this condition.
How Is Patellar Luxation Diagnosed?
Patellar luxation is diagnosed during a physical exam where a veterinarian feels and manipulates the dog's patella. Through this examination, they will be able to determine the grade (1 to 4) and severity of the condition.
How Is Patellar Luxation Treated?
The necessary treatment for your Schnauzer Poodle mix depends on the grade of the luxating patella. Lower grades that cause limping only a few times a month can often go without surgery. However, more frequent dislocations will require surgery to improve the stability of the kneecap.
Skin and Coat
It's common for Schnoodle puppies to inherit sensitive skin from their Schnauzer and Poodle relatives. Sensitive skin results in dry, tender, and itchy skin in reaction to abrasive grooming products, allergies, or climate changes.
Further signs that suggest an underlying skin condition in your Schnauzer Poodle mix are skin sores, rashes, lumps, dandruff, and hair loss. If you notice these symptoms, it's highly likely your Schnauzer Poodle mix has sensitive skin.
In this case, you should take your Schnauzer Poodle mix to the vet to rule out any severe skin conditions that require medical attention. The veterinarian will also be able to evaluate your dog's skin condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.
They will most likely recommend feeding your Schnauzer Poodle mix with food that's designed for dogs with sensitive skin or allergies. You will also be told to use a mild soap-free hypoallergenic shampoo and moisturizing cream.
In terms of bath frequency, over-washing your Schnauzer Poodle mix can lead to dry skin and irritation. For this reason, you should bathe your Schnauzer Poodle mix once every three months.
We also recommend moisturizing your Schnauzer Poodle mix fur and skin with olive oil. Simply pour a dime-sized amount of olive oil into your hands and rub your hands together. Then, massage the olive oil thoroughly into the dog's skin and fur. Afterward, brush your dog's fur to evenly distribute the olive oil.
Keep in mind to always speak with your veterinarian and get their approval before using any products. Also, never use human products on Schnoodle puppies or adults because dogs have a different skin pH than humans. This can cause harsh reactions and irritation.
Furthermore, you should incorporate a sensitive skin formula into your dog's diet. These diets include high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which aid in moisturizing the Schnauzer Poodle mix skin. An omega-3 deficiency can lead to prolonged healing of wounds, increased allergic reactions, ear infections, and excessive itching. Speak to your veterinarian to see if they recommend an omega-3 rich diet.
If your dog's sensitive skin is caused by allergies, feed him a hypoallergenic diet. Hypoallergenic diets contain all the essential nutrients without the ingredients that are known to cause irritation. Schnauzer Poodle mix can typically be allergic to beef, soy, chicken, dairy, and eggs. Hypoallergenic diets contain lamb, duck, venison, or salmon.
