Medical, Genetic and Breed Problems
known in Dogs
2/5/2008 - Please be patient - I will be adding in dog breed pages over the next week that have inherited disease and breed tendency information.
As I work on this website I hope to tap into the considerable knowledge of people in the fields that we will look at here. Breeding, inherited disease and disorders and behavior. . I would be grateful for Breeder input on problems and behavior in the breeds they love and if in the next few weeks you don't find the breed you care about here, let me know. If you have a good picture that represents the ideal in that breed and want me to use it then send it on with the dogs name. I'm going to also try to add reputable breeders associated with national and local breed organizations and those organizations as well. But I am just getting started and with your help we can make this a viable information site.
Michal
Introduction and General Information
I decided years ago that it would be helpful to put together information about breed problems, breed description, life span, etc . Life got in the way. But I'm doing that now. I want you to take a real look at your dog or the breed you may be considering. If you already have a specific breed this section should help you and your vet to better understand and anticipate potential health care problems. If you are looking for the prefect dog - maybe this section will help you to avoid mistakes and make a realistic choice - a dog that is suited for you and your lifestyle.
If you have or are interested in a breed that I have missed - Let me know. This is a ongoing project.
The sections are not finished, many of the breed descriptions are not there. They will be, but AKC has complete breed descriptions online as do many other sources. I will keep adding material as this is planned as a long term information site.. I hope you will find the pure bred dog information helpful.
Michal Justis
Email michal@dogandcathealth.info
Multiple breed problems
Department of Animal Science, University of California,
Davis conducts genetic studies.
Project Goals - To Evaluate the Mode of Inheritance of
Canine Diseases.
To Identify the Genes Responsible for Disease Expression.
To Join the Tools of Statistics with the Promise of Molecular
Genetics
some projects
Addison's Disease in Bearded Collies, Leonbergers, and Standard Poodles
Epilepsy Disease in Belgian Tervurens, Belgian
Sheepdogs, Giant Schnauzers,
Miniature Poodles, Standard Poodles and Toy Poodles
Eye Disorders, Deafness, and Leg Disorders in Jack Russell Terriers
They need both affected and unaffected dogs for the study.
If you would be interested in having your dog participate in this study please go to http://www.cgap.ucdavis.edu/
http://www.vetgen.com/canine.html testing kits for some known genetic diseases
http://www.optigen.com/opt9_test.html more genetic tests
http://www.akc.org/dna/index.cfm
The AKC offers a comprehensive set of voluntary and mandatory programs to ensure
the integrity of the AKC registry: voluntary DNA Profiling; the Frequently Used
Sires requirement; the Fresh-Extended/Frozen Semen requirement; the
Multiple-Sired Litter Registration Policy; the Import Breeding Stock
requirement; and the Kennel Inspections/Compliance Audit Program. The AKC has
built the world's largest database of canine DNA profiles for parentage
verification and genetic identity purposes.
IMHA
These are the known causes of immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)
that I know of:
Genetic predisposition to this condition is known to occur in the following
breeds:
American cocker spaniels (most common breed to develop IMHA)
English springer spaniel
Old English sheepdog
Irish setter
Poodle
Dachshund
(list from "Textbook of Internal Medicine, 5th Ed., Ettinger and Feldman)
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also called "dry eye", is a disease resulting from a decrease in the aqueous component of your pet’s tears. This component is produced by the lacrimal gland and gland of the third eyelid. Tears function to provide lubrication to the surfaces of the eye, nutrition to the cornea, help protect against bacterial overgrowth, flush debris from the eye, and maintain an optically smooth surface for clear vision. When there is a deficiency in tear production, the surface of the eye becomes dry, causing discomfort and irritation. Chronic irritation of the corneal surface can create abnormal pigment changes, blood vessel growth, and scarring all of which can lead to vision loss. The corneal is also at risk of ulceration (a wound on the surface of the eye). The eye may also collect debris, and is at risk for bacterial overgrowth leading to infection of the conjunctiva or cornea.
The most common cause of KCS is "idiopathic" or unknown origin. In these cases, there is felt to be an immune mediated association with inflammation of the lacrimal gland. There is also a breed predilection with the Shih Tzu, Llasa apso, Pug, English bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Miniature Poodle, and Pekingese being the most commonly affected. However, KCS has been documented in almost every breed of dog. Other causes of KCS are numerous and include the use of certain antibiotics, trauma to the eye and lacrimal gland, trauma to the nerve that supplies the lacrimal gland (example – chronic ear infections, ear surgery), removal of the gland of third eyelid, systemic diseases such as hypothyroidism, and radiation therapy to the eye.
Retinal dysplasia
Retinal dysplasia is abnormal development
of the retina and can include folds and other defects in the retina.
This is
a condition that is thought to be inherited in a number of dog breeds. There may be no visual defect discernible in affected dogs, so this
may be a problem that is only found when the eye is examined. Despite this,
since
it is an inherited defect that is thought to be an autosomal recessive trait, a case can be made for avoiding breeding. This is especially
true in Labrador retrievers, samoyeds and English springer spaniels, since
the condition in these breeds is associated with other genetic abnormalities (according to Wheeler, in Morgan's Handbook of Small Animal
Practice)
http://vmthpub.vetmed.wisc.edu/sa_services/ophthalmology/kcs.htm
Hemangiosarcoma (a form of cancer) HSA occurs most frequently in older dogs with a mean age between 8 and 13 years. It occurs most commonly in large breed dogs. German Shepherd Dogs are the most commonly affected breed, followed by Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Other commonly affected breeds of dogs include Pointers, Boxers, English Setters, Great Danes, Poodles and Siberian Huskies. There is no clear sex predilection. Cutaneous hemangiosarcomas are more common in poorly pigmented breeds and dogs with light hair, including Beagles, Bloodhounds, white English Bulldogs, English Pointers, Salukis, Dalmatians, and Whippets.
http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/clerk/frankhauser/index.php
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy causes lameness and extreme pain in young growing dogs, usually of a large breed. Great danes, German shepherds, dobermans, retrievers and weimaraners are examples of breeds that may be affected by this condition. It appears to occur in weimaraners as a vaccine reaction and this may also affect mastiffs and great Danes. In this case, it usually occurs a few days after vaccination and may appear to be worse than the "average" case on radiographs.
HOD usually shows up as an acute lameness, often seeming to affect all four legs simultaneously. Affected dogs may stand in a "hunched up" stance or refuse to stand up at all. They may have a fever but this is not consistently present. They usually have painful swellings around the lower joints on the legs. Some puppies will die from this disease, some suffer permanent disablity but many recover later. The disease is so painful that many owners elect to euthanize the puppy rather than watch it suffer, despite the reasonably good chance for recovery, long term. Affected dogs may be so ill that they refuse to eat.
X-rays confirm this diagnosis in most cases. There are very typical X-ray changes, although it can look a little like bone infection from a septic condition. There is some evidence at this point that viral or bacterial infections may underlie some cases of HOD as canine distemper virus has been found in the affected areas in some dogs. There can be high white blood cell counts and the alkaline phosphatase level in the blood stream is often elevated.
There is also a theory that this condition may occur with excessive dietary levels of calcium or protein. I am not sure what the current status of this theory is.
Treatment usually consists of analgesic medications such as aspirin or carprofen (Rimadyl Rx). Since a viral or bacterial agent may be involved in this problem the use of corticosteroids is questionable. Many people try switching to a diet that is lower in calcium (the puppy foods for large dogs may be a good choice now that they are available. Previously many people switched to adult dog foods which didn't always result in lower total calcium in the diet). Even more potent pain relief medications may be indicated in some puppies. Hydrocodone and aspirin may be a more effective combination than either one alone. Antibiotics are often given for this condition. There is a persistent rumor that vitamin C supplementation is beneficial in dogs with HOD. This appears to be a false rumor and there is some evidence that vitamin C may actually promote abnormal calcification in these puppies. It is not a good idea to supplement vitamin C.
Hypertrophic osteodystrophy may resolve spontaneously in as short a time as a week or so. It can be a recurrent, cyclic infection that goes on for a long time, too. If there are severe secondary bone changes, surgical correction of these may be necessary for normal future function of the limbs.
There is no reason not to control pain as effectively as possible with
this condition. That definitely needs to a primary goal of treatment.
Breed problems
There is a list of breed problems online at this address:
Once you find this site, click on "Publications" and then the "Guide
to
Congenital and Heritable Disorders in Dogs".
Demodecosis
The breeds with a known tendency to develop demodecosis include the shar pei, West Highland white terrier, Scottish terrier, English bulldog, Boston terrier, Great Dane, Weimaraner, Airedale, Malamute and Afghan. If your dog is one of these breeds, it would be wise to be even more suspicious of an inherited component to this disease.
Osteosarcomas are a bone origin tumor, usually. German shepherds
have a predilection for these tumors,, along with St. Bernards, great Danes,
golden retrievers and Irish setters. M.R.
CERF testing - eliminating inherited eye disorders in purebred dogs
The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) is an organization devoted to tracking and hopefully eliminating inherited eye disorders in purebred dogs. Any ocular disease that is heritable is of interest to them, not just progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The importance of CERF testing probably does vary a little from breed to breed but almost all breeds have an eye problem they are prone to. Miniature schnauzers are susceptible to congenital cataracts that are believed to be passed genetically through an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.
If you would like more information about CERF and their registry, you can contact them by writing to them:
Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) 1235 SCC-A Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907-1235
Assorted info
There is a condition "uveodermatologic syndrome" in which uveitis and skin disease occur together (usually affecting mostly the face) but this usually occurs in young dogs of the northern breeds (Akitas, Siberian huskies, etc.) M.R.
Pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus erythematosus
and pemphigus vegetans There are several related immune mediated skin disorders
called pemphigus complex. These have a common mechanism of action in which
the body produces antibodies against the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis).
Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common of these diseases in the dog. It
is seen more often in Akitas, chow chows, dachsund, bearded collies, Doberman
pinscher, schipperke, Finnish spitz and Newfoundland dogs. Pemphigus erythematosus
is second most common and may just be a milder form of pemphigus foliaceus.
It is seen more commonly in collies, Shetland sheepdogs and German shepherds.
Immune mediated hemolytic anemia
The Basenji, West Highland White terrier, English springer spaniel,
Alaskan malamute, poodle and beagle breeds can be congenitally predisposed
to Immune mediated hemolytic anemia due to defects
in enzymes (such as pyruvate kinase) or in the red blood cells.
Megaesophagus is known to be inherited in Wire-haired Fox Terriers
and Miniature Schnauzers. It seems to occur more frequently in Great Danes,
German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Shar Peis and Irish Setters. It
can occur in cats, as well. Siamese cats are a little more likely to be
affected.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy
Craniomandibular osteopathy is a disorder that occurs in young dogs, primarily terriers. The most commonly affected breeds are West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers and Cairn Terriers. It has been recognized in other terrier breeds and in Boxers, Labs, Great Danes and Dobermans. It usually shows up before 10 months of age.
Excessive bone development occurs along the mandible (jaw) and the temporal region. Affected dogs have difficulty chewing and swallowing and may drool as a result of this. There can be great pain on opening the mouth but some dogs do not seem as pained as others. There is often fever accompanying this disorder. Weight loss can occur from the difficulty in eating. Atrophy (shrinking) of the muscles over the head and jaw areas can occur. X-rays show excessive bone production, sometimes very severe.
Renal Disease
Renal (kidney) failure can occur for a lot of reasons. It would be hard to compile a list that anyone would agree was a complete list of causes, due to the number of potential causes that exist. So this is a partial list> M.R
Pyelonephritis, which is infection of the kidney itself and congenital
kidney disorders, which are recognized to occur in the following breeds,
according to Nelson and Couto, in their book "Essentials of Small Animal
Internal Medicine" - Lhasa apso, shih tzus, Norwegian elkhounds, shar peis,
Doberman pinschers, samoyeds, standard poodles,, soft-coated Wheaton terriers,
cocker spaniels, beagles, keeshonds, Bedlington terriers, cairn terriers,
basenjis and Abyssinian cats.
In West Highland white terriers, polycystic kidney disease is
thought to be an autosomal recessive disorder, so both parents have to be carriers
in order for the disease to occur. (McAloose, et al, Vet Pathology, Jan
1998). In Bull Terriers, one report suggests the problem is an
autosomal dominant trait, which would require only one parent to carry the gene
(Burrows, et al, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1994).
References
Medical and Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs
Edited by Ross D. Clark, DVM nad Joan R. Stainer
ISBN 0-935078-24-X
AVAR'S GUIDE TO CONGENITAL AND HERITABLE DISORDERS IN DOGS
Published by The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
First printing: August 1994, revised August 1997 and August 2000
Special thanks to: W. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., Susan Hall, D.V.M. and Kay
Inks
http://www.avar.com
Textbook of Internal Medicine, 5th Ed., Ettinger and Feldman
Dr. Morgan's "Handbook of Small Animal Practice",
Barbara Watrous, writing in the book Small Animal Practice
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
McAloose, et al, Vet Pathology, Jan 1998
Burrows, et al, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1994.
Deweby, et al, Compendium on Continuing Education, August 2000
Dr. Peiffer's book "Small Animal Ophthamology: A Problem Oriented Approach".
Canadian Veterinary Journal, 1991, Prescott et al
Bruyette, Veterinary Information Network (www.vin.com), 1996
Veterinary Information Network, Dr. Ilana Reisner
Control of Canine Genetic Disease, George A. Padgett, DVM
This page was last edited 06/13/08
