Common Genetic Dog Diseases « Dog Painter’s Blog

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Budzik, M.F., (April 27, 2009). Common Genetic Dog Diseases, http://paintingdogs.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/common-genetic-dog-diseases/

Genetic canine diseases affect many breeds. They include the following:

Golden retrievers and Newfoundlands are prone to aortic stenosis leading to cardiac dysrhythmia and sudden death due to aortic stenosis.

Atropic Dermatitis; common skin disease linked to allergies: Cairn terriers, West Highland white terriers, Shar peis, Scottish terriers, Lhasa apsos, Wire-hared Fox terriers, Dalmatians, Irish setters, Boston terriers, Pugs, Golden retrievers, Boxers, English setters, Labrador retrievers, and Miniature Schnauzer:

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus is common in large deep-chested dog breeds. Bloating of the stomach with gas and fluid causes it to twist along its long axis thus shutting off blood supply to vital organs. This medical emergency is readily lethal if not treated. It is reported in Bloodhounds, Great Danes, Atika, Weimaraner, Standard Poodle, Setters.

Hereditiary cataract formation is suspected in 97 dog breeds including Smooth Fox Terrier, Havanese, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Miniature Poodle, Silky Terrier, Toy Poodle, American Cocker Spaniel, Standard Poodle, and Miniature Schnauzer.

Cherry Eye or tear gland prolapse is susceptible to secondary infection. It is common in Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, and Bloodhounds.

Deafness is more common in Dalmatians, English setters, bull terriers, and Australian cattle dogs.

Encephalitis is a central nervous system inflammatory diseases which cause seizures. It is reported in Pugs, Maltese, Pekingese and Yorkshire Terrier.

Heatstroke is common in geriatric and brachycephalic dogs like English bulldog, Pekingese, Boston terrier, bull mastiff, Shih Tzu, and Pomeranian. The palates of brachycephalic dog can get sucked into the trachea and obstruct breathing when they pant heavily. Such dogs with breathing difficulties have trouble swimming.

Hypothyroidism reduces the metabolic rate and there is autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland.

Hip Dysplasia is a painful developmental malformation / subluxation of the hip joints that leads to arthritis. It is often seen in German Shepherds and is common in large breed dogs.

Induced-drug toxicity poisoning due to owner-administer drugs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can cause kidney damage or gastric ulcers in dogs. Dogs are also affected by food poisoning. It affects all dogs.

Neoplastic Genetic Predisposition due to inability to suppress tumour by a defective p53 gene. It has caused 80 % mortality in Flat-coated retrievers.

Progressive Retinal Athrophy or progressive degeneration of the retina in both eyes leads to blindness.

Ruptured Disk disease is a common problem of short-legged Dachshunds.

Von Willebrands Disease is a bleeding disorder of dysfunctional blood platelet function. It affects 59 dog breeds including Doberman Pinscher, French Bulldog, Great Danes, Shih Tzu, Poodle (all sizes), German short haired and wire haired pointers, Scottish terriers, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Rottweilers, and Shetland sheepdog.

Wobbler Syndrome is progressive weakness from the hind legs cranially. It is common in Great Danes and Dobermans.

Common Genetic Dog Diseases

Many breeds:
Progressive Retinal Athrophy; progressive degeneration of the retina in both eyes that leads to blindness.

Hypothyroidism; which causes a reduced metabolic rate. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid.

Hip Dysplasia; painful developmental malformation or subluxation of the hip joints that leads to painful and crippling arthritis. Often seen in German Shepherds and very common in many large breed dogs.

Cairn terriers, West Highland white terriers, Shar peis, Scottish terriers, Lhasa apsos, Wire-hared Fox terriers, Dalmatians, Irish setters, Boston terriers, Pugs, Golden retrievers, Boxers, English setters, Labrador retrievers, and Miniature Schnauzer:
Atropic Dermatitis; common skin disease linked to allergies.

Smooth Fox Terrier, Havanese, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Miniature Poodle, Silky Terrier, Toy Poodle, American Cocker Spaniel, Standard Poodle, and Miniature Schnauzer: Cataract;
Cataract formation is one of the most common eye diseases in dogs, which, according to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, affects about 97 breeds in which inheritance is suspected.

Doberman Pinscher, French Bulldog, Great Danes, Shih Tzu, Poodle (all sizes), German short haired and wire haired pointers, Scottish terriers, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Rottweilers, and Shetland sheepdog:
Von Willebrands Disease; bleeding disorder caused by defective blood platelet function. Some 59 other breeds can be affected by this disease.

Great Danes and Dobermans:
Wobbler Syndrome; weakness starts in the hind legs and progresses to paralysis.

Dachshunds:
Ruptured Disk; a problem that often occurs in dogs with short legs.

Dalmatians, English setters, bull terriers, and Australian cattle dogs:
Deafness.

Cocker spaniels, beagles, and bloodhounds:
Cherry Eye; prolapsed tear gland, giving the dog a red-eyed appearance and making the eyes susceptible to infection.

Flat-coated retrievers:
Genetic Predisposition to Cancers; about 80 % of death of this breed are caused by cancer. It is thought to be the result of a defect on the p53 gene, which suppresses tumors.

Golden retrievers and Newfoundlands:
Aortic Stenosis; narrowed aorta causes changes in the electrical rhythm of the heart, leading to sudden death.

Bloodhounds, Great Danes, Atika, Weimaraner, Standard Poodle, Setters:
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus; large deep-chested breeds are more likely to experience “bloat.” The dog’s stomach fills up with gas and fluid and then twists upon its long axis, shutting off blood supply to vital organs. It is a medical emergency that kills rapidly if not treated.

Pugs: Pug Dog Encephalitis is one of the inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) which cause seizures in dogs affecting Pug dogs of either sex. The disease used to be considered unique to the Pug breed. However, similar disease has been reported recently in Maltese, Pekingese and Yorkshire Terrier breeds.

Other medical alerts:

Poisoning:
Drug toxicity from human medications administered by owners is one of the most common types of canine poisoning. Do not give your dog ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. They can cause kidney damage or gastric ulcers in dogs. (Also see my blog on food that can poison dogs in -Garlic for dogs- from 4/8/09)

Heatstroke:
All dogs can get heatstroke, but geriatric dogs and short nosed dogs like English bulldog, Pekingese, Boston terrier, bull mastiff, Shih Tzu, and Pomeranian are more susceptible. Their palates can get sucked into the tracheal opening when they pant heavily, obstructing breathing. These breeds have also trouble swimming because of their breathing difficulties.

Source: Dog-o-Pedia by Mary Frances Budzik and other sources.
I found a comprehensive list of dog diseases with detailed descriptions and symptoms on http://www.gopetsamerica.com/

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