Like people, dogs are susceptible to albinism, a lack of pigmentation of the skin. In addition to the usual care of the dog, those who are albinos will need extra attention to their dermis to avoid the appearance of he alth problems.
In this article on our site we will detail with you the care for albino dogs that you should offer your dog to avoid burns or cancer, common problems of this condition.
Find out if your dog is albino in our post about the characteristics of albino dogs and keep reading and discover how you should take care of your albino dog so that it is he althy and happy:
Why should we take care of an albino dog?
Diseases of albino dogs
The lack of pigmentation reduces the vision of these dogs, in part because the pigmented area of the retina is less developed, and partly because the depigmented iris allows more light to pass through than it should. In addition to these problems, albino dogs often have strabismus (crossed eyes) and nystagmus (rapid involuntary eye movements).
In addition to poor vision, albino dogs have photophobia. This means that they avoid very bright places, because the overstimulation they receive is aversive to them. This has to do largely with the depigmentation of the iris. Vision problems are often helpful in diagnosing albinism in humans, so they should also be considered in dogs, even though these problems are not as easy to identify.
On the other hand, the skin of albino dogs is much more sensitive to solar radiation. Therefore, burns, tumors and skin cancer tend to be more frequent in these animals.
Also, there is a relationship between albinism and deafness, so many albino dogs are also deaf This relationship is not very strong, as not all albino dogs are deaf, but if you have an albino dog it's worth getting your hearing tested.
Other albino mammals present additional problems, such as suppressed immune systems, kidney failure, liver failure, anemia and neurological disorders. Although these diseases have not been linked to albinism in dogs, it does not hurt to be vigilant and give extra care to an albino dog.
Behavior problems in albino dogs
Due to different he alth conditions, the behavior of albino dogs is also modified. Vision and hearing impairments can cause exaggerated responses to ordinary situations that dogs may perceive as threatening. Thus, it is not surprising that many albino dogs are exaggeratedly shy or aggressive (in this case it is more about fear aggression).
Photophobia can also cause strange behavior. Dogs that present it can adopt antisocial habits for spending a lot of time isolated without sharing with their families.
Also, most albino dogs have trouble socializing. The socialization of these dogs does not produce very reliable results, which is why these animals are usually shy with strange people and situations. However, they tend to get along well in familiar situations and with familiar people.
Sensitive skin is also a potential trigger for aggressive behavior and strange reactions. Since these dogs can be more easily injured than non-albino dogs, they may also react by growling or running away when petted in an injured area.
Due to these behavioral problems, and perhaps others directly related to overstimulation and cognitive difficulties, dog training can be a serious challenge with an albino dog. In fact, there are no reports of albino dogs performing well in work or obedience tests, or in real situations.
Albino dog care
There is no treatment for albinism. However, there are some precautions you should take if you have an albino dog. Here are some helpful tips and tricks:
Dogs with vision problems associated with albinism
- Try to maintain order within the home so that your dog with vision impairments does not collide or have trouble locating.
- Choose easy-to-find toys with sounds.
- Do not expose to strong sunlight.
- Use curtains to make him comfortable.
- Buy a covered bed for your dog, like a tent, this way he will feel safe and protected whenever he needs shelter
- Put your dog some special glasses to reduce the light that he receives. Those glasses are known as Doggles and they reduce solar radiation. Of course, keep in mind that your dog still needs light to be able to see, so do not put the Doggles on him at night. You also can't use them all the time, so check with your vet about the timing and frequency of use.
Dogs with skin problems associated with albinism
- Go to the vet every 6 months for a routine check-up and ask them to pay special attention to your skin.
- Don't spend too much time outside with your dog.
- Protect your dog with sun protection cream when he is outside. You can also put light clothing on him to protect him from radiation.
- Identifies a specific shampoo for albino dogs or for dogs with sensitive skin.
- Avoid metal collars, it seems that some albino dogs are sensitive to metal.
Don't forget Go see your trusted vet in case of any problem or change in your dog's skin. Detecting any of the skin diseases in dogs early will help us to make the treatment more effective.
Before adopting an albino dog…
If you are thinking of adopting an albino dog, keep some considerations in mind. These dogs can make great pets and are just as deserving of love and care as any other dog, but they also need special care.
Do not forget that it will be very important to sterilize him, that dog may be the best friend you have ever had and deserves all the love and respect you can give him, but there is no reason to bring into the world other puppies with this condition that, without being lethal, can make life very difficult for dogs.
