The six dog breeds most likely to get DIARRHOEA revealed by scientists – and why Jack Russells evade dreaded ‘poonami'
SCIENTISTS have revealed the six dog breeds most likely to suffer from diarrhoea.
It turns out some pups are unfortunately more susceptible than others.
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A Cockapoo, sometimes called a Spoodle or Cockadoodle, is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle
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Maltese pups are one of the dogs believed to be more susceptible to diarrhoea
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According to researchers, the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua are less likely to experience the messy condition
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Roughly one in every 12 dogs in the UK will be diagnosed with diarrhoea each year, according to a new
The study, published today in the journal PLOS One, revealed that the following dog breeds are most at risk of a "dreaded poonami":
Maltese
Miniature Poodle
Cavapoo
German Shepherd
Yorkshire Terrier
Cockapoo
There may even be a "genetic element to the condition," the study said.
READ MORE ON PETS
That means there's something within the genes of these six breeds that makes them more likely to get diarrhoea than others.
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With a pool of about 2.25million dogs, lead author Dan O'Neill, of the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and his colleagues, discovered that there were two breed least likely to suffer.
According to researchers, the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua are less likely to experience the messy condition.
The researchers note that it is the diets and exercise habits of different breeds may influence this.
Most read in Science
The study relied on data from vets around the country.
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So the researchers added that the different likelihoods of owners taking their dog to the vet in the first place could have skewed the results.
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The condition is most common in dogs under three years old or older than nine years, the study said.
Young pups that often eat things they shouldn't may also have digestive issues, while older dogs may experience it as a complication of ageing.
More than 80 per cent of suffering pups get better after one trip to the vets, the researchers also found, suggesting the condition is short-lived.
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'Experiencing the dreaded 'poonami' with your dog is one of those events any dog owner fears," Dr. O'Neill said in a statement.
"This new study shows that diarrhoea events are very common in dogs but that owners should not panic.
"No matter how bad the deluge, most dogs will recover in a few days after veterinary treatment.'
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Miniature or Toy poodles are also common sufferers
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Out of a pool of about 2.25million dogs, German Shepherds were also revealed to experience the digestive condition more frequently than other breeds
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