Norwegian Lundehunds are exceptionally flexible, six‑toed climbers that may contort or splay when stressed and can resist overhead restraint; many are wary of strangers and noise‑sensitive, so busy lobbies, sudden handling, or strong odors can heighten arousal and alarm barking. The breed is predisposed to protein‑losing enteropathy (“Lundehund syndrome”), so owners may report intermittent vomiting/diarrhea, poor appetite, or on‑off weight loss that worsens with diet changes or travel. Use secure leash control, a quiet room, and minimal, low‑stress handling; avoid forcing limbs into extreme positions. If a caller reports vomiting/diarrhea lasting >24 hours, black/tarry stool, sudden belly/limb swelling, collapse, or breathing changes, alert the clinician for same‑day or emergency triage.
Front desk script: Thanks for letting us know your dog is a Norwegian Lundehund—some prefer a quieter room and gentle, minimal restraint. Have there been recent changes (diet, travel, new people/noises), and have you noticed vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, or weight changes? For black/tarry stool, swelling, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, collapse, or breathing trouble, I’ll alert our medical team and arrange same‑day care or direct you to emergency services.
Norwegian Lundehunds have a well-documented breed predisposition to chronic gastrointestinal disease often called “Lundehund syndrome,” which includes protein-losing enteropathy and intestinal lymphangiectasia and is associated with signs like intermittent vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, low blood protein, fluid swelling (ascites/leg edema), and lethargy; the breed also shows chronic atrophic gastritis with a reported association to gastric tumors in some dogs, and genetic work has linked a LEPREL1/P3H2 variant as a risk factor in this small gene pool.
Front desk script: If an owner of a Lundehund reports ongoing or recurring vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, poor appetite, or swelling of the belly or legs, please flag for a same-day vet review. Advise immediate emergency care if the dog has collapse, severe lethargy, trouble breathing, black or bloody stools, or nonstop vomiting. Let the veterinarian know the dog is a Norwegian Lundehund and that GI issues are a known breed risk. Gather a brief timeline of signs and any recent diet changes or stressors.
Norwegian Lundehunds are small, active spitz dogs with uniquely flexible joints and at least six toes per foot; they do best with daily exercise, regular nail care (extra toes = extra nails), and consistent socialization. The main health watch-out is a strong breed predisposition to chronic gastrointestinal disease (often called Lundehund gastroenteropathy), including protein‑losing enteropathy/intestinal lymphangiectasia, which can look like intermittent or ongoing vomiting/diarrhea, weight loss despite eating, poor appetite, or swelling of the belly/legs. Call us the same day for new or persistent GI signs; seek emergency care immediately for trouble breathing, collapse, or a suddenly tight, distended abdomen.
Front desk script: This rare breed has extra toes and very flexible joints, so nail trims may take a bit longer than usual. The key health watch‑out is a known tendency toward gut disease—if you notice vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or swelling of the belly or legs, we should see your dog the same day. If there’s labored breathing, collapse, or a very tight, rapidly enlarging belly, please go to a 24/7 emergency hospital now. Otherwise, routine wellness visits help us catch issues early.
Expect frequent front-office contacts for gastrointestinal upset (soft stool/diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, weight dips) and scheduling of diet consults/medication refills/lab monitoring when a DVM is tracking protein/albumin—this breed is predisposed to intestinal protein loss and related GI disease. Calls/visits for nail and foot issues are also common because Lundehunds have six toes on each foot (overgrown nails, torn/bleeding nails, limping after a snag), often prompting nail-trim appointments or same‑day checks. Be alert when owners report new belly or limb swelling, marked lethargy, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, or trouble breathing—flag these to the medical team immediately and prioritize same‑day intake.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Norwegian Lundehunds often need visits for sensitive digestion and for nail/foot care due to their extra toes. I can get you a same‑day appointment for GI signs, nail concerns, medication refills, or labs your doctor is monitoring. If you’re seeing nonstop or repeated vomiting/diarrhea, blood in stool, a swollen belly or legs, trouble breathing, collapse, or your dog seems very weak, please tell me now—those are urgent and I will alert the doctor immediately.
Norwegian Lundehunds have a short, dense, weather‑resistant double coat that sheds moderately and increases during seasonal “blow” periods; routine brushing once or twice weekly (more during heavy sheds) helps manage hair and dander. Their upright ears should be checked after baths or swimming and cleaned/dried as needed. This breed has six functional toes on each foot, so there are extra nails to monitor—most dogs benefit from nail trims about every 3–4 weeks, and interdigital areas should be checked for trapped debris or mats. Front desk should recommend regular grooming appointments and offer nail‑trim scheduling; escalate if owners report ear odor/discharge, painful matting, sudden hair loss, red/hot skin, or broken/overgrown nails.
Front desk script: This breed’s double coat is low‑maintenance but will shed more in spring/fall—recommend weekly brushing and we can book extra de‑shedding visits during those times. Because they have six toes per foot, nail trims are often needed every 3–4 weeks; we can schedule those here. After any bath or swim, ask clients to check and dry the ears. If they mention ear odor/discharge, painful mats, sudden hair loss, or a broken/ingrown nail, we’ll book a same‑day exam.
Norwegian Lundehunds are predisposed to gastrointestinal protein-losing enteropathy (often linked to intestinal lymphangiectasia/IBD—“Lundehund syndrome”), so any new or worsening GI signs should be triaged as higher priority. During intake, capture onset/duration of vomiting or diarrhea, appetite and weight change, stool appearance/frequency, energy level, and any abdominal or limb swelling; document full diet/supplement/medication history and recent changes, and request prior records plus a fresh stool sample. Route callers with active GI signs to a same-day sick visit when possible and flag the chart for possible lab-monitoring history. Escalate immediately for red flags: blood in vomit/stool or black/tarry stool, inability to keep water down, marked abdominal distension, collapse, severe lethargy, or breathing difficulty.
Front desk script: Because this breed can be prone to serious GI conditions, I’d like to ask about vomiting, diarrhea, appetite or weight changes, lethargy, or belly/leg swelling. If any of these are present or symptoms are worsening, we’ll book a same-day sick visit; please bring a fresh stool sample, diet/supplement list, and any previous records. If you see blood in vomit or stool, black/tarry stool, severe bloating, extreme lethargy, collapse, or your dog can’t keep water down, this is an emergency—please proceed to the nearest veterinary ER now.
Lifecycle focus for Norwegian Lundehunds: Puppies—book frequent vaccine/parasite visits every 3–4 weeks until the series is complete; coach owners on handling and nail care for the six‑toed feet, and ask about any soft stool or poor weight gain. Adults—schedule annual wellness; proactively ask about intermittent vomiting/diarrhea, weight change, or stress/boarding triggers because the breed is predisposed to protein‑losing enteropathy (“Lundehund syndrome”). Seniors (~10+ years)—shift to twice‑yearly wellness per life‑stage guidance; track appetite, body condition, and stool quality, and escalate immediately if there is trouble breathing, a rapidly enlarging belly, collapse, or marked lethargy. ([aaha.org](https://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/?utm_source=openai))
Front desk script: For puppies, let’s reserve the next vaccine visit in 3–4 weeks and note any tummy or stool changes. For adults, we’ll plan annual wellness; if you’re seeing on‑and‑off vomiting/diarrhea or weight loss, we can arrange an earlier check. For seniors, we recommend wellness every 6 months. If you report trouble breathing, a suddenly swollen belly, collapse, or profound lethargy, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now. ([aaha.org](https://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/?utm_source=openai))
Norwegian Lundehunds have a well-documented predisposition to gastrointestinal protein‑losing enteropathy/intestinal lymphangiectasia (reported in a high proportion of the breed), so front‑desk teams should proactively screen and set expectations: ask about appetite changes, vomiting/diarrhea (especially black or bloody stool), weight loss, limb or belly swelling, and energy level; request a fresh stool sample plus an exact list/photos of current diet, treats, and supplements; note any prior GI testing or low‑protein lab results; and advise that the doctor may spend extra time on diet history and may recommend screening tests if concerns are flagged.
Front desk script: Because Lundehunds are at higher risk for gastrointestinal conditions, I’ll ask a few quick questions about appetite, vomiting/diarrhea, weight changes, and any swelling. Please bring a fresh stool sample and a list or photos of your dog’s current food, treats, and supplements, plus any prior GI records. If you’re seeing repeated vomiting, black or bloody stools, marked lethargy, or limb/belly swelling, we’d like to see your dog urgently today; if your dog collapses or can’t keep water down, please go directly to the nearest emergency hospital.
Norwegian Lundehunds have a high breed risk for a protein‑losing enteropathy (often called Lundehund syndrome/intestinal lymphangiectasia), so front‑desk teams should prioritize GI-focused wellness scheduling: book routine weight checks and annual labs that include albumin/total protein (and B12/cobalamin if the doctor requests), plus sooner rechecks with any diet change or new GI signs. Coach owners to monitor for persistent diarrhea or vomiting, reduced appetite, weight loss, or swelling of the belly/limbs and to contact the clinic the same day if these occur. If collapse, trouble breathing, or pale gums are seen, direct them to the nearest emergency hospital immediately.
Front desk script: Because this breed is prone to a serious intestinal protein‑loss condition, our doctors like to track weight and run GI‑focused wellness labs (albumin/total protein) at least yearly, with earlier rechecks if anything changes. I can schedule those today and note any planned diet transitions. If you see ongoing vomiting/diarrhea, decreased appetite, weight loss, or any belly/leg swelling, please call us the same day. If there is collapse, pale gums, or breathing difficulty, go to the emergency hospital now.
Norwegian Lundehunds are alert, independent Spitz-type dogs that can be reserved with unfamiliar people; approach calmly, allow the owner to stay involved, use high-value treats, and avoid forceful restraint or over-manipulating paws/neck (they have extra toes and unusual flexibility). What matters most: this breed has a high predisposition to gastrointestinal protein-losing enteropathy/intestinal lymphangiectasia (“Lundehund syndrome”); at check-in, ask specifically about recent vomiting or diarrhea, weight or appetite change, lethargy, or new swelling of the belly or limbs. If any of these are reported, flag the doctor and fast-track to a room the same day; if the pet has collapse, severe lethargy, or labored breathing, treat as an emergency and alert the veterinarian immediately.
Front desk script: Hi! Lundehunds can be a bit reserved, so we’ll keep things quiet and let you stay with [Pet Name] while we offer treats and go slow. To help the doctor, have you noticed any vomiting, diarrhea, weight or appetite changes, or swelling of the belly/legs recently? If yes, I’ll mark this as a priority and get you straight to a room; trouble breathing or collapse would be an emergency and we’ll alert the vet right away.
Norwegian Lundehunds have a well-documented predisposition to protein‑losing enteropathy from intestinal lymphangiectasia (“Lundehund syndrome”), and stress or abrupt diet changes around intake/adoption may precipitate GI flare‑ups. For placement, obtain prior medical records, exact diet/feeding schedule, and recent GI history; avoid sudden food switches during transition; schedule an early post‑adoption veterinary check; and advise adopters to monitor for red‑flag signs (persistent vomiting or diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, marked lethargy, or fluid swelling of the belly/limbs). If any red‑flag signs occur, escalate to same‑day veterinary assessment; severe weakness, collapse, or rapidly enlarging abdomen warrants immediate emergency care.
Front desk script: This breed can be prone to a serious gastrointestinal condition. We’ll record the dog’s current food and keep it consistent during the transition, and we recommend an early checkup with your veterinarian. If you notice vomiting or diarrhea that doesn’t resolve, not eating, sudden belly or leg swelling, marked lethargy, or collapse, go to an emergency vet immediately. For any GI concerns, please call us the same day.
Alert, curious, and loyal to their family, Norwegian Lundehunds can be reserved with strangers and may alarm-bark; guide them quickly to a quiet space and avoid crowded waiting areas. They are very agile and flexible—use a secure, short leash or carrier and watch doors to prevent dashing or slipping harnesses; allow a slow, low approach and avoid reaching over the head during weigh-in or handoff. Expect some stress vocalizing and slower house-training backgrounds; keep handling calm and brief. Because the breed is predisposed to gastrointestinal sensitivity, ask about current vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite change; if present with lethargy or repeated episodes, alert the medical team immediately for urgent same-day triage.
Front desk script: Welcome! Lundehunds can be a bit reserved in new places, so we’ll seat you in a quieter area. Please keep your dog on a short leash or in a carrier; we’ll approach slowly for weight and check-in. Has your dog had any vomiting, diarrhea, or not eating today? If yes, I’ll notify our medical team right away to prioritize care.
Norwegian Lundehunds are predisposed to intestinal lymphangiectasia/protein‑losing enteropathy, so GI signs can deteriorate quickly. Escalate same day for repeated vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood), refusal to eat, sudden weight loss, or new swelling/puffiness of limbs or face, or a firm, distended abdomen. If the pet has labored or rapid breathing, collapse/near‑collapse, unproductive retching with a tight, swollen belly, or signs suggesting fluid in the chest/abdomen with breathing effort, instruct the client to proceed to an emergency hospital immediately.
Front desk script: Because this breed can develop serious gastrointestinal disease, your dog’s symptoms warrant prompt escalation. I recommend we see your dog today; if you are seeing trouble breathing, a tight swollen belly with gagging/retching, collapse, or blood in vomit or stool, please go to the nearest emergency hospital now. I’m alerting the clinician—can you confirm how often the vomiting/diarrhea is occurring and whether the belly looks distended or there’s any new swelling?