Published by The Association of Veterinarians for Animal
Rights, P.O. Box 208, Davis, CA 95617-0208
First printing: August 1994
Special thanks to: W. Jean Dodds, D.V.M., Susan Hall,
D.V.M., Kay Inks, and Phil Maggitti
Directory
Section I
A list of 148 purebred dog breeds, each of which is accompanied by a number or series of numbers that correspond to the genetic diseases identified and described in Section II.’
Section II
An alphabetical listing of genetically transmitted diseases that occur in purebred dogs. Each disease is assigned an identification number, and some diseases are followed by the names of the breeds known to be subject to those diseases.
How to use this book
If you are thinking about acquiring a purebred dog, refer to Section I to find out the number of genetically transmitted diseases associated with the breed or breeds in which you are interested. Refer to Section II to find the names and definitions of those diseases.
Disclaimer
This report was designed to catalogue the existing congenital and hereditary diseases found in purebred dogs and to describe other common conditions that are thought to be genetic in origin because they appear with higher-than-expected frequency in certain breeds. The knowledge of and experience with nonhuman animal diseases is always changing, and new diseases are discovered each year. As a result, this catalogue cannot be fully complete. Every attempt has been made, nevertheless, to provide the latest information from published articles in scientific and popular journals, from review chapters written by veterinary and other professionals, and from breed-club literature provided by designated representatives of individual breed clubs.
The conditions listed in the Canine Consumer Report occur with varying degrees of frequency and severity from one breed to the next. Hip dysplasia, umbilical hernias, and allergies, for example, are common conditions found in many breeds, while serious malformations (such as the lysosomal storage diseases) and life- threatening diseases (such as hemophilia and certain cancers) are found with less frequency. The impact of a particular disorder on the health and longevity of the breed or breeds that it affects will depend on the nature and severity of that disorder. Therefore, no attempt has been made to assign priority among the diseases identified in this catalogue. This sort of information should be sought form veterinarians and other medical professionals with relevant experience and from national breed-club representatives, whose names can be obtained from the American Kennel Club, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
Section I:
Aberdeen terrier: 324
Affenpinscher: 12, 55, 98, 218, 235, 236, 330
Afghan hound: 14, 42, 65, 96, 114, 121, 135, 145, 147, 166, 206a, 211, 221, 221a, 239, 245, 256, 269, 270, 330
Airedale terrier: 7, 9, 48, 65, 88, 103, 122, 140, 148, 165, 166, 168, 206a, 230, 256, 269, 270, 273a, 314, 318, 330
Akita: 9, 27, 43, 65, 71, 103, 114, 115, 135, 137, 140, 146, 152, 156, 166, 172,192, 193a, 199, 221, 221a, 239, 256, 270, 273a, 312, 318, 329, 330
Alaskan malamute: 13, 42, 59, 65, 67, 85, 89, 120, 121, 122, 135, 144, 147, 148, 150, 152, 166, 206a, 221, 221a, 256, 266, 330, 334
American cocker spaniel: 1, 10, 12, 18, 26, 27, 42, 43, 54, 55, 65, 69, 72, 73, 88, 94, 94a, 95, 103, 107, 109, 121, 123, 135, 146, 147, 148, 152, 154, 166, 171, 173, 179, 181, 186, 188, 193a, 197, 221, 221a, 226, 228, 235, 236, 242, 245, 254, 256, 266, 270, 275, 276, 286, 307, 318, 319, 320, 330
American foxhound: 78, 199, 290, 311
American Staffordshire terrier: 42, 54, 55, 88, 103, 166, 204a, 221, 221a, 256
American water spaniel: 42, 150, 270
Antarctic husky: 103, 147
Australian cattle dog (Australian blue heeler): 42, 78, 109, 121, 124b, 147, 149, 152, 166, 171, 177, 186, 193a, 200, 214, 221, 228, 245, 256, 270, 318, 319
Australian kelpie: 58, 199, 203, 256
Australian shepherd: 42, 55, 58, 78, 89, 152, 166, 199, 203, 221, 221a, 245, 256, 269, 270, 287, 318, 328, 329, 330
Australian terrier: 85, 185, 256, 270
Basenji: 56, 59, 66, 124a, 146, 166, 171, 172, 245, 256, 263, 268, 270, 318
Basset hound: 5, 9, 9a, 15, 27, 31, 61a, 70, 94, 103, 105, 109, 114, 120, 121, 131, 135, 136, 146, 147, 157, 159a, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 174, 186, 190, 221, 221a, 222, 231, 235, 245, 249, 256, 274, 291, 299, 311, 318, 330, 332
Beagle: 10, 11, 21, 34, 37, 42, 43, 54, 55, 65, 72, 80, 88, 94a, 109, 114, 120, 121, 135, 136, 146, 147, 157, 166, 168, 173, 182, 188a, 192, 193a, 202, 204, 212, 220, 227, 242, 245, 256, 260, 267, 270, 275, 280, 310, 312, 327, 330
Bearded collie: 9a, 42, 65, 152, 159a, 166, 245, 256, 269, 270, 303
Bedlington terrier: 2, 23, 42, 88, 94, 184, 199, 210, 223, 256, 265, 266, 269, 270
Belgian malinois: 109, 152, 166, 256
Belgian sheepdog: 42, 109, 152, 166, 204a, 230, 256, 269, 270
Belgian tervuren: 42, 109, 166, 221, 221a, 230, 256
Bernese mountain dog: 20, 42, 46, 47, 54, 55, 103, 149, 149d, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 255, 256, 269, 318
Bichon frise: 42, 53, 65, 103, 109, 122, 148, 235, 331a
Black and tan coonhound: 94, 103, 122, 148, 152, 221, 221a, 252
Bloodhound: 31, 94, 103, 114, 152, 166, 179, 181, 195, 221, 221a, 245, 324
Blue tick hound: 136, 193a, 221, 221a
Border collie: 65, 109, 152, 186, 214, 221, 221a, 256
Border terrier: 17, 39, 42, 58, 68, 70, 126, 145, 186, 196, 217, 235, 248, 256, 270, 324, 327
Borzoi (Russian wolfhound): 31, 36, 42, 118, 152, 155, 166, 192, 200, 256, 312, 330
Boston terrier: 10, 12, 17, 22, 39, 42, 54, 55, 65, 67, 68, 71, 78, 80, 88, 90, 103, 112, 114, 135, 145, 151, 154, 159, 166, 171, 174, 179, 181, 196, 235, 236, 248, 256, 262, 275, 295, 304, 308
Bouvier de Flandres: 42, 55, 74, 90, 94, 100, 103, 131, 135, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 318, 330
Boxer: 3, 6, 10, 22, 24, 38, 42, 67, 72, 75, 80, 83, 88, 94a, 99, 103, 113, 114, 119, 121, 131, 134, 139, 149, 153, 156, 166, 192, 196, 221, 221a, 250, 256, 277, 293, 294, 297, 300, 304a, 312, 317, 325, 330
Briard: 42, 105, 166, 231, 256, 330
Brittany spaniel: 42, 55, 61b, 88, 121, 147, 149b, 186, 221, 221a, 256, 270
Brussels griffon: 1, 42, 88, 256, 278, 281
Bullmastiff: 3, 31, 51, 55, 88, 103, 114, 135, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 245, 256, 270, 273, 280, 325
Bull terrier: 78, 94, 103, 130, 171, 186, 196, 221, 221a, 294, 318, 333
Cairn terrier: 1, 42, 48, 68, 75, 121, 122, 135, 136, 147, 148, 149, 166, 171, 186, 193a, 256, 270, 330
Cardigan Welsh corgi: 61a, 75, 90, 103, 135, 173, 186, 245, 256, 270
Cavalier King Charles spaniel: 37a, 42, 65, 85, 88, 103, 166, 179, 199, 235, 256, 270, 311a
Chesapeake Bay retriever: 42, 88, 103, 114, 152, 221, 221a, 256, 270, 330
Chihuahua: 55, 57, 65, 87, 103, 121, 135, 147, 149, 154, 160, 162, 166, 175, 179, 181, 186, 201, 214, 221, 221a, 235, 256, 260
Chinese shar pei: 10, 22, 29, 80, 94, 103, 128, 129, 135, 152, 166, 168, 172, 186, 187, 221, 221a, 226, 235, 256, 270, 276, 295, 319, 326
Chow chow: 27, 31, 42, 48, 55, 61, 80, 88, 94, 95, 98, 103, 135, 152, 160a, 165, 166, 172, 192, 204, 204a, 221, 221a, 230, 239, 245, 256, 280, 312
Clumber spaniel: 94, 103, 152, 309, 319, 324
Collie: 33, 37, 42, 45, 58, 65, 73, 78, 80, 82, 86, 88, 89, 103, 109, 121, 126, 140, 147, 152, 166, 171, 176, 199, 208, 209, 220, 221, 221a, 236, 238, 245, 256, 270, 273a, 318, 330
Curly-coated retriever: 42, 88, 94, 103, 256
Dalmatian: 10, 22, 32, 78, 80, 81, 88, 103, 129, 130, 135, 136, 140, 152, 166, 193a, 199, 221, 221a, 230, 256, 273a, 294, 321, 322
Dandie Dinmont terrier: 3, 42, 67, 87, 97, 103, 135, 152, 166, 173, 235, 245, 281
Doberman pinscher: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 27, 35, 38, 42, 51, 53, 59, 61, 64, 68, 80, 103, 105, 121, 127, 129, 138a, 143a, 146, 147, 152, 161, 166, 170, 173, 182, 192, 199, 206a, 221, 221a, 231, 243, 245, 250, 251, 256, 266, 266a, 267, 270, 292, 304a, 312, 328, 330
English bulldog: 1, 3, 6, 19, 42, 54, 55, 80, 88, 90, 94, 98, 103, 116, 129, 130, 145, 152, 154, 164, 166, 179, 181, 201, 205, 217, 242, 245, 260, 261, 278, 280, 287, 308, 325, 330
English cocker spaniel: 42, 70, 88, 94, 103, 119, 135, 147, 150, 166, 177, 186, 214, 221, 221a, 236, 245, 256, 259, 270, 304, 330
English foxhound: 78, 290
English setter: 31, 42, 61, 68, 78, 91, 94, 103, 121, 124b, 147, 152, 160, 166, 177, 181, 188a, 193a, 214, 221, 221a, 256, 323, 330
English springer spaniel: 9a, 10, 12, 18, 26, 27, 42, 43, 54, 55, 59, 65, 69, 72, 88, 94, 94a, 95, 103, 107, 109, 121, 123, 124, 135, 146, 147, 148, 152, 154, 159a, 160a, 166, 171, 173, 188, 193a, 197, 206a, 220, 221, 221a, 226, 228, 235, 236, 242, 245, 245a, 254, 256, 264a, 266, 270, 275, 276, 286, 307, 318, 319, 320, 330
English toy spaniel (King Charles and Ruby Blenheim spaniels): 42, 55, 65, 85, 103, 143, 235, 270, 318
Field spaniel: 14, 42, 166, 256, 270
Finnish spitz: 85
Flat-coated retriever: 42, 88, 94, 103, 152, 166, 256
French bulldog: 42, 54, 55, 88, 98, 103, 119, 121, 122, 145, 147, 148, 330
German shepherd: 10, 21, 27, 36, 42, 44, 54, 55, 59, 65, 72, 72a, 75, 81, 83, 86, 94a, 95, 102, 103, 105, 109, 112, 114, 121, 122, 129a, 221a, 131, 137, 143a, 147, 148, 152, 166, 168, 180, 186, 191, 192, 193a, 194, 208, 220, 221, 221a, 225, 226, 229, 230, 231, 236, 238, 241, 243, 247, 256, 266, 270, 276, 283, 300, 306, 312, 316, 320, 330
German short-haired pointer: 8, 9a, 42, 65, 103, 114, 124b, 125, 152, 159a, 166, 177, 188a, 191, 193a, 197, 214, 221, 221a, 230, 256, 300, 311, 330
German wire-haired pointer: 42, 103, 152, 221, 221a, 270, 302, 330
Giant schnauzer: 42, 105, 135, 146, 152, 158, 166, 192, 221, 221a, 231, 256, 269, 270, 276, 311a, 312, 327a
Golden retriever: 7, 9, 10, 22, 42, 59, 65, 81, 88, 94, 95, 103, 121, 129, 129a, 130, 140, 143a, 146, 147, 149, 152, 166, 178, 192, 193, 204a, 206, 220, 221, 221a, 256, 273a, 300, 312, 328, 329
Gordon setter: 31, 42, 45, 103, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 256, 179, 181, 270, 307
Great Dane: 6, 7, 31, 36, 38, 42, 48, 50, 51, 61, 75, 78, 80, 83, 88, 94, 103, 114, 131, 135, 144, 152, 153, 155, 158, 166, 176, 192, 198, 199, 201, 204a, 211, 221, 221a, 225, 243, 250, 255, 256, 270, 292, 298, 312, 330
Great Pyrenees: 5, 9, 16, 42, 78, 80, 94, 103, 122, 124, 148, 152, 166, 195, 221, 221a, 244, 256, 304, 311a, 325
Greyhound: 14, 42, 65, 72, 88, 90, 94a, 109, 112, 121, 147, 155, 166, 186, 220, 221, 221a, 230, 245, 256, 279, 326, 330
Harrier: none recognized
Havanese: 42, 245, 256, 269
Ibizan hound: 10, 14, 42, 70, 166, 270, 311a
Irish setter: 7, 10, 22, 31, 40, 42, 61, 65, 79, 81, 88, 103, 109, 121, 129, 130, 131, 132, 138a, 140, 146, 147, 152, 166, 186, 191, 198, 206a, 220, 221, 221a, 243, 245, 256, 264, 273a, 276, 311a, 320, 324, 328, 329
Irish terrier: 75, 85a, 204a, 256
Irish water spaniel: 42, 152, 166, 167, 195, 245, 256, 330
Irish wolfhound: 38, 42, 103, 149, 152, 155, 158, 166, 221, 221a, 330
Italian greyhound: 14, 42, 61, 65, 70, 109, 135, 220, 243, 256, 311a
Jack Russell terrier: 20, 123, 186, 206, 330
Japanese spaniel (Japanese chin): 42, 70, 88, 103, 137, 256
Keeshond: 1, 41, 42, 63, 71, 85, 94, 109, 135, 149, 156, 165, 166, 180, 197, 201, 256, 260, 266, 274, 310, 327, 330
Kerry blue terrier: 42, 47, 88, 103, 124, 141, 166, 179, 181, 207, 256, 311a, 320, 330
Komondor: 42, 103, 152, 166, 285
Kuvasz: 42, 103, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 330
Labrador retriever: 3, 7, 9, 9a, 10, 22, 40, 42, 59, 68, 77, 78, 85, 88, 89, 94, 95, 103, 109, 121, 122, 129a, 147, 148, 149, 152, 158, 159a, 160, 166, 197, 204a, 206a, 221, 221a, 244, 245, 256, 257, 258, 269, 270, 276, 282, 315, 330
Lakeland terrier: 42, 70, 88, 166, 186, 245, 319, 320, 330
Lhasa Apso: 1, 10, 22, 42, 65, 81, 88, 94, 103, 166, 171, 179, 181, 189, 235, 256, 266, 330
Maltese: 1, 30, 70, 78, 88, 110, 135, 149, 152, 160, 166, 192, 235, 256, 270, 312, 330, 331a
Mastiff: 31, 65, 94, 103, 166, 221, 221a, 245, 256, 270, 325
Miniature bull terrier: 103, 166, 186
Miniature dachshund: 4, 5, 42, 43a, 54, 55, 61, 65, 72, 75, 78, 80, 85, 94a, 129, 146, 156, 161, 166, 173, 176, 178, 187, 199, 206a, 214, 216, 224, 228, 230, 237, 239, 250, 256, 267, 275, 296, 297, 326, 328, 330
Miniature pinscher: 42, 65, 87, 103, 140, 171, 179, 181, 185, 230, 256, 273a
Miniature poodle: 5, 10, 22, 26, 27, 42, 49, 78, 81, 88, 92, 93, 103, 109, 110, 111, 121, 135, 136, 140, 144, 147, 156, 165, 166, 173, 175, 184, 193a, 199, 206, 220, 221, 221a, 223, 226, 230, 235, 236, 256, 269, 275, 294, 327, 330
Miniature schnauzer: 10, 22, 42, 70, 76, 88, 103, 112, 121, 144a, 146, 147, 149, 149a, 157, 166, 185, 221, 221a, 259, 260, 266a, 271, 284, 301, 311a, 330
Neapolitan mastiff: 42, 83, 94, 103, 152, 158, 166, 221, 245, 256
Newfoundland: 25, 38, 42, 75, 83, 94, 95, 103, 114, 129a, 146, 152, 166, 183, 192, 221, 221a, 236, 300, 311a, 312, 320, 327, 330
Norwegian dunkerhound: 78, 199,
Norwegian elkhound: 42, 88, 103, 135, 152, 166, 180, 186, 256, 266, 275, 276, 302
Norwich terrier: 65, 166, 186, 330
Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever: 9a, 42, 159a, 166, 256
Old English sheepdog: 9a, 42, 80, 88, 103, 122, 129, 140, 146, 148, 152, 159a, 161, 166, 172, 192, 221, 221a, 250, 256, 269, 270, 273a, 292, 311a, 312, 328, 330
Otter hound: 119, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 249, 274, 311, 330
Papillon: 12, 42, 65, 103, 166, 235, 330
Pekingese: 42, 88, 103, 116, 146, 162, 166, 171, 173, 179, 181, 184, 186, 199, 230, 246, 256, 277, 278, 304, 311a, 317, 318
Pembroke Welsh corgi: 42, 50, 65, 72, 75, 90, 109, 166, 186, 245, 256, 270, 330
Pharoah hound: 10, 166, 220, 311a
Pointer: 8, 10, 36, 42, 65, 80, 89, 103, 109, 152, 166, 178, 213, 215, 230, 231, 239, 256, 318, 330
Pomeranian: 42, 70, 73, 87, 88, 103, 110, 136, 137, 140, 149, 162, 165, 166, 184, 186, 210, 219, 235, 236, 256, 273a, 313
Portuguese water dog: 9a, 42, 88, 159a, 166, 188a, 193a, 245, 256, 273a, 299a
Pug: 10, 22, 50, 54, 57, 65, 67, 76, 80, 81, 90, 98, 98a, 103, 109, 116, 143, 149, 152, 166, 173, 179, 185, 195, 196, 230, 235, 246, 256, 259, 293, 295, 304a, 308, 309, 317
Puli: 27, 42, 152, 256, 270
Rhodesian ridgeback: 42, 45, 51, 84, 103, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 245, 256
Rottweiler: 9a, 27, 42, 85, 88, 94, 95, 103, 105, 129, 129a, 146, 152, 159a, 161, 166, 172, 192, 231, 245, 256, 269, 270, 300, 311a, 312, 326, 328, 330
Saint Bernard: 31, 42, 60, 72, 83, 88, 94, 94a, 103, 109, 114, 118, 121, 122, 133, 147, 148, 149, 152, 166, 188, 198, 221, 221a, 225, 298, 325, 328, 329, 330
Saluki: 14, 27, 42, 65, 103, 146, 166, 214, 245, 256, 269, 270, 311a, 330
Samoyed: 24, 42, 65, 85, 88, 89, 103, 121, 135, 140, 147, 149, 149b, 152, 166, 221, 221a, 242, 245, 256, 260, 269, 270, 273a, 274, 311a, 328, 330
Schipperke: 42, 85, 88, 103, 166, 185, 207, 239, 245, 256
Scottish deerhound: 31, 42, 105, 131, 158, 166, 221, 221a
Scottish terrier: 5, 10, 22, 42, 68, 75, 78, 81, 122, 129, 148, 166, 186, 193, 197, 256, 272, 294, 324, 330
Sealyham terrier: 22, 42, 81, 135, 166, 186, 245, 256, 269, 270
Shetland sheepdog: 5, 42, 52, 59, 65, 82, 86, 88, 108, 121, 122, 129, 147, 148, 149a, 151, 152, 157, 166, 192, 220, 236, 245, 256, 270, 306, 312, 328, 329, 330
Shih Tzu: 1, 42, 54, 55, 83, 88, 89, 94, 103, 146, 149, 166, 182, 187, 256, 266, 269, 311a, 317, 330
Siberian husky: 41, 42, 65, 86, 103, 104, 121, 135, 147, 152, 166, 186, 221, 221a, 230, 245, 256, 270, 328, 329, 330, 334
Silky terrier: 42, 70, 85, 154, 185, 188a, 193a, 235, 245, 256, 311a, 313
Skye terrier: 27, 88, 101, 111, 163, 183, 186, 192, 206, 312, 316, 330
Smooth fox terrier: 3, 10, 22, 42, 78, 81, 87, 88, 112, 135, 138, 166, 185, 186, 221, 221a, 243, 260, 288, 330
Soft-coated Wheaton terrier: 9a, 10, 22, 42, 81, 159a, 166, 172, 220, 245, 253, 256, 266a, 270, 330
Spinoni Italiani: 91, 103
Standard dachshund: 1, 4, 5, 42, 54, 55, 61, 65, 72, 75, 78, 80, 83, 85, 94a, 103, 115, 129, 135, 156, 161, 166, 173, 176, 179, 181, 187, 199, 214, 216, 220, 224, 228, 230, 237, 239, 245, 250, 256, 267, 275, 296, 297, 326, 328, 330
Standard Manchester terrier: 42, 72, 109, 135, 166, 185, 186, 256, 330
Standard poodle: 9a, 10, 21, 22, 27, 31, 42, 61, 81, 88, 103, 109, 110, 121, 124a, 135, 140, 144, 146, 147, 152, 159a, 166, 175, 184, 186, 199, 220, 221, 221a, 223, 230, 245, 256, 269, 273a, 311a, 330
Standard schnauzer: 23, 42, 62, 121, 147, 166, 221, 221a, 240, 260, 270, 330
Sussex spaniel: 38, 42, 88, 103, 270
Swiss mountain dog: 221, 221a, 249, 311, 311a
Tibertan mastiff: 95, 152, 158, 166, 192, 221, 245, 312, 330
Tibetan terrier: 14, 42, 103, 186, 199, 214, 245, 256, 270
Toy Manchester terrier: 42, 166, 186, 256, 330
Toy poodle: 5, 10, 22, 26, 27, 42, 49, 78, 81, 88, 92, 93, 103, 109, 110, 111, 121, 124a, 135, 136, 140, 144, 146, 147, 149, 156, 165, 166, 173, 175, 184, 193a, 199, 221, 221a, 223, 226, 230, 235, 236, 256, 269, 275, 294, 327, 330
Vizsla: 42, 68, 80, 103, 109, 117, 121, 140, 143a, 147, 152, 161, 166, 193, 221, 221a, 256, 273a, 289, 296, 305, 318, 319, 326
Weimaraner: 31, 43a, 61, 65, 88, 103, 105, 114, 121, 131, 140, 142, 147, 152, 158, 160a, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 196, 206, 256, 273a, 289, 296, 305, 311b, 318, 319, 326
Welsh springer spaniel: 42, 135, 152, 245, 256
Welsh terrier: 42, 135, 166, 186, 330
West Highland white terrier: 2, 4, 9a, 10, 21, 22, 42, 68, 71, 81, 106, 136, 156, 159a, 171, 181, 185, 186, 199, 245, 270, 276, 331, 331a
Whippet: 42, 61, 70, 80, 103, 143a, 166, 186, 221, 221a, 234, 256, 330
Wire-haired fox terrier: 3, 22, 42, 78, 87, 88, 103, 112, 135, 138, 185, 186, 243, 256, 260, 288, 310, 330
Wire-haired pointing griffon: 152, 206a, 226
Yorkshire terrier: 42, 71, 80, 88, 103, 149, 154, 162, 166, 179, 181, 185, 235, 236, 245, 256, 269, 270, 276, 330
Section II:
1. Aberrant cilia: eyelashes growing abnormally, such as rubbing against the eyeball (see #88).
2. Abnormal copper metabolism: (usually Bedlington terriers or Doberman pinschers) an inability to utilize and store copper properly, resulting in liver disease and other problems.
3. Abnormal dentition: abnormal placement, number and development of teeth.
4. Acanthosis nigricans: (usually dachshunds) a skin disease where the skin becomes thickened and dark, primarily affecting the axillae (armpits).
5. Achondroplasia: abnormal development of cartilage leading to dwarfism (seen aberrantly in most breeds, but that’s what makes a Basset hound and other achondroplastic breeds long and low).
6. Acne: same thing as in humans, affects the muzzle and lip areas.
7. Acral lick dermatitis: a skin disease caused by an animal’s licking a localized area excessively, especially on the legs and paws.
8. Acral mutilation: a progressive self-mutilation of the feet and legs. Also known as peripheral sensory neuropathy in pointing breeds because they are born without pain sensation.
9. Acute moist dermatitis: known as “hot spots,” a localized area of a severely itchy, inflamed and oozing dermatitis exacerbated by the animal’s intense licking and chewing at the spot.
9a. Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism): a disease characterized by inadequate secretion of cortisone from the adrenal glands. More common in Old English sheepdogs, standard poodles and bearded collies. (See #159a.)
10. Allergies: same as in humans. Dogs can be allergic to things they come in contact with, eat or inhale.
11. Amyloidosis: a condition where abnormal deposits of proteinaceous material called amyloid are laid down in tissues and impair their function. Common in Akitas and Chinese shar peis.
12. Anasarca: a condition where neonatal puppies have an abnormal accumulation of fluids in their tissues. Often seen in English bulldogs.
13. Anemia with chondrodysplasia: a condition of Alaskan malamutes where there is malformation and maldevelopment of cartilage and red blood cells. Also called stomatocytosis because of the mouth-like shape of red blood cells.
14. Anesthetic idiosyncracy: a condition where an individual has an abnormal response to commonly used anesthetics sometimes leading to death. Idiosyncratic means there is no good explanation or way to predict this.
15. Anomaly of third cervical vertebra: a malformation of one of the neck bones in the spinal column.
16. Anophthalmia: a condition where an animal is born without any eyes.
17. Aortic body tumors: a cancer that arises from a small organ at the base of the aorta, near the heart.
18. Apocrine gland tumor: a cancer arising from glands which secrete fluids (such as mammary glands).
19. Arteriovenous fistula: an abnormal connection that forms between arteries and veins.
20. Ataxia: (see #255, #288.)
21. Atopic dermatitis: a skin disease caused by a dog’s reaction to an inhalant allergy. (See #81.)
22. Atopy: an allergy caused from things dogs inhale.
23. Atresia of nasolacrimal puncta: a condition where the holes on the inside of the lower eyelids (puncta) are too small or closed so tears spill over the lid instead of draining to the nose.
24. Atrial septal defects: a malformation of the dividing wall between two chambers of the heart, usually resulting in a hole which then causes blood flow abnormalities.
25. Avulsion fractures: fractures of the bones caused by a piece being ripped away, usually because of its strong attachment to a ligament or tendon.
26. Basal cell tumor: a cancer arising from a type of skin cell.
27. Behavioral abnormalities: a whole range of abnormal behavior patterns, such as aggression, panic disorders, etc.
28. Bithoracic ectromelia: a condition where the front leg bones are very small or absent.
29. Blepharospasm: an abnormal tightening of the muscles around the eyes, which causes repetitive blinking.
30. Blindness: an inability to see due to a large variety of causes.
31. Bloat: a condition where a dog’s stomach produces excessive gas and enlarges severely enough to cause death without immediate treatment. Usually associated with gastric torsion (see #131).
32. Blue eyes: an adverse reaction to certain vaccines containing canine hepatitis virus (adenovirus 1) which produces a bluish discoloration to the cornea.
33. Bullous pemphigoid: an autoimmune (i.e., the body attacking itself) disease associated with the formation of painful blisters.
34. Bundle branch block: an abnormality of the electrical conduction mechanism of the heart.
35. Bundle of His degeneration: a condition where a part of the electrical system of the heart deteriorates.
36. Calcinosis circumscripta: the development of lumps of hard calcium deposits in the skin.
37. Cancer, bladder: as in humans, cancer arising from the bladder.
37a. Cardiac valvular disease: weakness of heart valves producing heart murmurs and leading to cardiac failure. Prevalent in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
38. Cardiomyopathy: a disease of weakened heart muscles. Common in giant breeds, boxers, Doberman pinschers.
39. Carotid body tumors: cancer arising from a small organ located on the carotid in the neck.
40. Carpal subluxation: a condition where the “wrist” bones are loose and out of alignment.
41. Castration responsive dermatosis: a skin condition characterized by loss of hair, thickened skin and inflammatiion which responds to castration (i.e., hormonally dependent).
42. Cataract: as in humans, a change in structure of the lens of the eye leading to cloudiness and usually to blindness.
43. Cataract with microphthalmia: a condition where a dog has cataracts along with abnormally small eyes.
43a. Cell-mediated immunodeficiency: a deficiency of t-lymphocyte function causing impaired immunity, chronic recurrent infections and stunted growth. Seen in Weimaraners and Dachshunds. (See #311b).
44. Cellulitis (folliculitis and furunculosis): inflammation and infection of the cells of the skin including the hair follicles and deeper structures.
45. Cerebellar cortical abiotrophy: malformation of the neurons in the cerebellum, a part of the brain.
46. Cerebellar degeneration: a condition where a part of the brain deteriorates.
47. Cerebellar and extrapyramidal abiotrophy: a condition where the neurons in the cerebellum part of the brain and parts of the spinal cord are malformed and eventually malfunction.
48. Cerebellar hypoplasia: a condition where the cerebellum, a part of the brain, is poorly formed (too small or absent) and doesn’t function properly or at all.
49. Cerebrospinal demyelination: a condition where the neurons of the brain and spinal cord are malformed, lacking a specialized sheath, which causes malfunction.
50. Cervical disc disease: a degeneration or malformation of the cushioning discs between the spinal column bones (vertebrae) in the neck.
51. Cervical vertebral malformation or instability: a malformation of the vertebrae in the neck usually leading to nerve damage. Commonly seen in Doberman pinschers and causes a hackneyed gait (high stepping).
52. Choroidal hypoplasia: improper development of a part of the eye.
53. Ciliary dyskinesia: congenital trait in several breeds where all ciliated cells (those with hairs or moving appendages) are deformed and rigid. Also called immotile cilia syndrome and Kartagener’s syndrome. Causes chronic pneumonia and sterility. Common in bichon frise and Doberman pinschers.
54. Cleft lip: a condition where the two halves of the upper lip do not join together. Cleft palate and cleft lip are often seen together.
55. Cleft palate: a condition where the roof of the mouth is not closed and the inside of the nose opens into the mouth.
56. Coliform enteritis: an inflammation of the bowel tract caused by a certain group of bacteria.
57. Collapsed trachea: a condition where the cartilage rings that make up the trachea are malformed and tend to collapse easily.
58. Collie eye anomaly: a condition of collie dogs where the narrow shape of the head causes the eyes to be malformed.
59. Coloboma: an abnormal development of the eye, usually seen in collies, which can lead to blindness (see #203).
60. Colobomas with aphakia: same as above but with congenital absence of the lens.
61. Color mutant alopecia: a condition where certain colored areas of a dog’s skin grows less or no fur. Commonly seen in Yorkshire terriers, blue Doberman pinschers and fawn Irish setters.
61a. Combined immunodeficiency: a severe combined deficiency of cell-mediated immunity (T-cell function) and low levels of serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and variably IgM). Affected puppies usually die from viral infectins by 12-16 weeks of age. Seen in Basset hounds. (See 343a, 168, 169, 170.)
61b. Complement deficiency: a deficiency in serum levels of the third component of complement which impairs neutrophil function and causes recurrent infections. Seen in Brittany spaniels.