Jack Russell Terrier health problems

Which health conditions can affect Jack Russell Terriers?

Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russells. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your Jack Russell Terrier for more information.  

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

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

Heart disease in Jack Russell Terriers

Heart disease is commonly seen in dog breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier. However, the term ‘heart disease’ doesn’t just describe one condition – instead, it includes many diseases of the heart wall muscle, e.g. mitral valve disease (MVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Jack Russell Terriers may not show any signs of illness during the early stages of heart disease, though as it progresses, they could have the following symptoms:

• Coughing (especially a low-grade cough at rest)
• Excessive panting and/or breathing difficulties
• Lethargy (lack of energy)
• Sudden weight loss

Once a vet has diagnosed your Jack Russell Terrier as having heart disease, they will continue to monitor your dog’s condition through regular check-ups and provide treatment, if needed.

Although there’s no cure for most heart conditions in dogs, medications are available to slow progression, support the heart and improve symptoms.  In some cases, dogs who suffer from heart disease could require surgery at a specialist veterinary centre.

Patellar luxation in Jack Russell Terriers

Despite its complicated name, patellar luxation (or sometimes called a luxating patellar), is the veterinary description for a dog’s knee cap slipping out of place’.

There are four grades of severity for patellar luxation. A grade one patellar luxation describes a kneecap that almost instantly pops back into place – whereas grade four is when a kneecap can’t fit back into place (which is rare).

Symptoms of a patellar luxation include a ‘skipping’ lameness and/or ‘bow-legged’ appearance.

Treatments for patellar luxation depend on the grade, though treating low-grade patellar luxation could involve anti-inflammatory medication, adjusting exercise routines, and physiotherapy. High-grade patellar luxation in dogs usually requires surgery.

Skin allergies and infections (Atopy) in Jack Russell Terriers

Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopy or skin allergy in the Jack Russell Terrier, is a common diagnosis in this breed. Dogs with atopy are likely to scratch, chew, and/or lick the parts of their body that are itchy, inflamed or irritated, which could include face, ears, armpits (axillae), tummy (abdomen) and paws.

Vets can diagnose atopic dermatitis by evaluating your Jack Russell Terrier’s medical history and symptoms, alongside performing a thorough assessment of your dog’s skin.

Just like human allergies, such as hayfever, that require ongoing treatment to manage symptoms, canine atopic dermatitis will probably need to be treated throughout your dog’s life, too.

It can take some trial and error to work out which treatments (or combination of treatments) will work best to ease your dog’s symptoms – for example, medication and/or soothing shampoos. Though, thankfully, the majority of atopic dermatitis cases can be managed effectively to make sure your Jack Russell Terrier is able to enjoy life to the full.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in Jack Russell Terriers

Also known as ‘Legg-Perthes disease’ or ‘LCPD’, this condition is sometimes seen in small breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier. LCPD causes the hip joint to crumble, leading to a lack of blood supply to the area, which means the bone dies and the joint eventually becomes arthritic.

Usually seen in younger dogs, from the age of around five months, symptoms of LCPD include limping, stiffness, and pain that worsens over time. 

After a vet has diagnosed canine LCPD, through physical examination and x-rays, they tend to treat the condition with anti-inflammatory pain relief, surgery, and physiotherapy.