Editing Rhodesian Ridgeback (section)

== Health ==
[[File:Re Wheaten Akani Free timeJPG.jpg|thumbnail|Rhodesian Ridgeback]]

Health conditions that are known to affect the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed are [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]] and [[dermoid sinus]]. The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number six in terms of most affected breeds for thyroid problems recorded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = OFA Thyroid Statistics
 |url         = http://www.offa.org/thystatbreed.html
 |access-date  = 29 Oct 2014
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080526034052/http://www.offa.org/thystatbreed.html
 |archive-date = 26 May 2008
 }}</ref> A UK study found the average life expectancy to be 12 years.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=McMillan|first1=K. M.|last2=Bielby|first2=J.|last3=Williams|first3=C.L.|title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death|journal=Scientific Reports|year=2024|volume=14|page=531|doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w|pmid=38302530 |pmc=10834484}}Supplementary Table 3</ref>

===Dermoid sinus===
Dermoid sinus is a congenital neural-tube defect that is known to affect this breed. The dermoid is often likened to a thin "spaghetti strand" beneath the skin. Puppies should always be screened at birth by the breeder and veterinarian, and the examination repeated as the puppies grow before they go to their new homes. This is done by palpation of the subcutaneous dorsal midline from the base of the skull to the insertion of the tail. Surgical removal is an option for affected neonates, puppies and adult dogs. All affected dogs, even those surgically corrected, should be spayed or neutered and never be bred, since surgical dermoid sinus removal can be extremely cost prohibitive, and because many unremoved dermoid sinuses will eventually abscess. Abscessed dermoid sinuses will be at best a recurrent, painful problem, and if the sinus communicates with the tissues around the spinal cord, cause meningitis and often death. However, it has been shown that supplementation of folic acid to the diet of the brood bitch before mating and during pregnancy reduces the incidence of dermoid sinus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rrclubsa.com/a_health.htm |title=Health Issues RRCSA |publisher=Rrclubsa.com |access-date=2011-10-24 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705030451/http://www.rrclubsa.com/a_health.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> One study on the Swedish population estimates that 8-10% are affected.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Hillbertz | first1 = N. H. C. S. | title = Inheritance of dermoid sinus in the Rhodesian Ridgeback | doi = 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2005.tb00295.x | journal = Journal of Small Animal Practice | volume = 46 | issue = 2 | pages = 71–74 | year = 2005 | pmid =  15736812}}</ref> Slightly less than 5% of Rhodesian Ridgebacks were reported to be affected with the condition in a US breed club survey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rrcus.org/rhodesianridgebackhealth/resources/overviewgeneticdesease.html|title=Overview and Prevalence of Genetic Defects in the Rhodesian Ridgeback|last=Roethel|first=Cynthia|publisher=RRCUS Health and Genetics Committee|access-date=25 February 2012|archive-date=27 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127205957/http://rrcus.org/rhodesianridgebackhealth/resources/overviewgeneticdesease.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Degenerative myelopathy===
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the breeds more commonly affected by [[degenerative myelopathy]]. The condition is caused by an [[autosomal recessive]] mutation in the [[SOD1]] gene.<ref>{{cite book |author1-first=James A.C. |author1-last=Oliver |author2-first=Cathryn S. |author2-last=Mellersh | editor1-first=Barbara | editor1-last=Cooper | editor2-first=Elizabeth |editor2-last=Mullineaux |editor3-first=Lynn | editor3-last=Turner |title=BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing |date=2020 |publisher=British Small Animal Veterinary Association |isbn=978-1-910-44339-2 |edition=Sixth|chapter=Genetics| page=131}}</ref>

===Hypothyroidism===
[[Hypothyroidism in dogs|Hypothyroidism]] is a growing problem in the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and this condition causes a multitude of symptoms, including weight gain and hair loss. Treatment for hypothyroidism in dogs consists of an inexpensive once-daily oral medication. Dr. Lorna Kennedy at the University of Manchester's Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research in England has found the haplotype (group of genes), which, when present, double the chances of a Rhodesian Ridgeback becoming hypothyroid due to lymphocytic thyroiditis. This is important to the breed because lymphocytic thyroiditis is the overwhelming cause of hypothyroidism in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}}

===Gastric dilatation volvulus===
Like many other deep-chested breeds, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to [[gastric dilatation volvulus]], commonly known as bloat. This is a potentially fatal condition that requires immediate treatment.<ref name="fox86">[[#fox2003|Fox (2003)]]: p. 86</ref>

===Resources===
'''RRCUS H&G''' - the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States maintains a web site devoted to the breed's health issues that also gathers ongoing research for their Health & Genetics Committee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rhodesianridgebackhealth.org/ |title=Rhodesian Ridgeback Health |publisher=Rhodesian Ridgeback Health |access-date=2011-10-24 |archive-date=6 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106024237/http://www.rhodesianridgebackhealth.org/ }}</ref> This group recommends that breeders perform at least four health screenings: hips, elbows, thyroid and eyes, with cardiac and hearing tests optional.

'''CRRHS''' - it is also recommended that all ridgeback owners enter their dogs' information in the Comprehensive Rhodesian Ridgeback Health Survey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lkhopkins.com/Ridgeback/ |title=Rhodesian Ridgeback Comprehensive Health Survey Home Page |publisher=Lkhopkins.com |access-date=2011-10-24 |archive-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001145242/http://www.lkhopkins.com/Ridgeback/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>