Beagle health problems

Beagles are famous for their curious and fun-loving nature!

This cheerful breed is well-known for having an ever-wagging tail, as well as a powerful sense of smell. While beagles are undeniably clever, they also love to share their opinion – which can lead to lots of barking. To help your beagle feel calmer at home, they’ll need at least an hour of exercise each day.

Due to having a short, dense, weatherproof coat, beagles usually require grooming around once or twice a week.

Explore our beagle breed guide for more information about this lovely breed!

Potential health conditions linked to the beagle breed

Please remember that while the following health concerns are often seen in the beagle breed, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by the breed. If you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide about insuring your beagle to find out more.

Always speak to a vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.

Don’t forget to read our dog first aid guides to discover the basics of canine first aid.

Ear infections

Due to the shape of their ears, some dog breeds tend to be more prone to ear infections than others – including the beagle.

There are many potential causes of ear infections in dogs, including:

• Excess wax, hair, or moisture in the ear.
• Allergies.
• Foreign objects, e.g. grass seeds.
• Ear mites.
• A bacterial infection, e.g. otitis externa.

An ear infection is both irritating and painful for your dog. So, if you notice any of the following symptoms in your beagle, it’s important to contact a vet for advice:

• Head shaking.
• Scratching (e.g. rubbing their face along the ground).
• Redness and inflammation.
• Heat and/or swelling.
• Discharge and/or a foul smell from the ear.
• Pain (they may not let you touch their ear).
• Head tilt and/or loss of balance.

To treat your dog’s ear infection, a vet will begin by finding out what’s caused it. Along with examining your beagle’s ear, a vet might perform tests to determine whether a specific type of bacteria is causing your dog’s ear infection.

Once your vet understands the cause of your beagle’s ear infection, they can advise as to the best course of treatment, which could include:

• Ear drops.
• Ear cleaning.
• Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication.
• Anitbiotics
• Dealing with the underlying cause, e.g. surgery to remove a grass seed.

Cherry eye

Cherry eye describes a condition in which a dog’s nictitans gland (a tear gland) that’s usually contained within their third eyelid prolapses (pops out of place). 

While the exact cause of cherry eye is currently unknown, vets believe it’s an inherited condition, which is why it’s often seen in specific dog breeds – like the beagle.

The main symptom of cherry eye is a red swelling in the corner of your dog’s eye, nearest their nose. However, due to the irritation caused by cherry eye, your dog may end up scratching or rubbing their eye and developing other conditions like corneal ulcers or conjunctivitis.

If your dog has been diagnosed with cherry eye, your vet is likely to recommend surgery to put your beagle’s tear gland back into place. After their surgery, your dog will probably require an inflatable/buster collar, anti-inflammatory medication, and eye drops for a few weeks.

Epilepsy

Beagles are one of the breeds known to be prone to epilepsy – a condition that causes dogs to experience recurrent seizures.

Epileptic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, usually resulting in uncontrolled body movements and seemingly odd behaviour. Symptoms of epilepsy in dogs could include:

• Wobbliness.
• Uncontrollable muscle activity or tremors.
• Lack of co-ordination, e.g. falling to one side.
• Lack of awareness about what’s happening around them.
• Body twitching.
• Paddling or jerking of their limbs.
• Drooling.
• Foaming at the mouth.
• Loss of bladder control (peeing uncontrollably).
• Loss of bowel control (unaware they’re pooing).
• Loss of consciousness.

Important: If your beagle has a seizure, they’ll need to recover in a calm environment that’s cool, dark, and free from hazards (e.g. sharp-edged furniture), while you call the vet.

Hypothyroidism

Some dog breeds, like the beagle, are more prone to hypothyroidism than others, and onset of disease tends to occur from middle-age.

Thyroid glands produce hormones that help to regulate a dog’s metabolism (the process of converting food into energy), though hypothyroidism happens when a dog doesn’t have enough of these hormones.

There are many causes of hypothyroidism in dogs, which can include immune mediated destruction (when their immune system mistakenly attacks thyroid glands), congenital hypothyroidism (inherited from parents), and thyroid tumours. Additionally, there are some medications that can interfere with the function of a dog’s thyroid glands.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs may include:

• Lack of energy (they tend to ‘slow down’ suddenly).
• Unexplained weight gain.
• Hair loss and/or darker patches of skin.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism can develop gradually over time and might mimic the symptoms of other conditions.

Blood tests are used to diagnose canine hypothyroidism. While it isn’t curable, there are treatments for the condition, such as medication and regular check-ups with a vet.

Obesity

Obesity is a well-known term that describes the condition of being overweight to the point there’s an increased risk of health problems and a decreased quality of life.

While any dog who overeats and isn’t exercised enough is at risk of putting on weight, some breeds can be more prone to obesity than others – including beagles. It’s worth noting, however, that there are several factors involved in the risk of canine obesity, like a dog’s health, which might influence their diet or ability to exercise.

Some of the many health risks associated with obesity in dogs include diabetes, arthritis, and breathing problems.

Vets are able to diagnose obesity by weighing your dog and factoring in appropriate influencing factors, e.g. whether your beagle is neutered or not.

To safely help your dog maintain a healthy weight, your vet can:

• Offer support by providing nutritional advice.
• Give guidance as to how best to exercise your dog.
• Book regular appointments to monitor your dog’s progress.