Dog Genetic Diseases
Common Genetic Diseases in Dogs
Pedigreed dogs are particularly vulnerable to genetic diseases and as a result of this some breeds are unable to be registered with a large number of national kennel clubs.
Different breeds of dogs inherit genetic problems relating to their specific breed. Some of the common genetic defects are hip dysplasia which most often occurs in the larger breed of dogs.
A disease which affects blood platelets known as Willebrand disease is known to be prevalent in Doberman Pinschers.
A disease which causes the eyelids of a dog to curl known as entropion occurs in Shar Peis and also other breeds of dogs.
Many pedigreed breeds of dogs have a genetic disorder known as progressive retinal atrophy, a dog sickness which affects their eyesight and as they age gets progressively worse.
Epilepsy and deafness are inherited disorders which often occur in St Bernard, German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels.
A serious genetic heart related problem occurs in Golden Retrievers and some other large breeds such as the Newfoundland Dog which disrupts the flow of blood from the heart to the Aorta and could result in cardiac arrest and the death of the dog.
Pedigreed Collie dogs can inherit a genetic disease which prevents their nervous system from functioning and developing properly. If two of these dogs with the same inherited disorder were mated, any puppies which were born would almost certainly, if they survived, have damage to their organs and nervous systems.
More on Genetic Dog Diseases
Maybe in a new registry system, some breeds cannot be registered until they become mature and are deemed free of genetic diseases. This means that small dogs can’t be registered until they are one year of age.
Some people claim that mixed breeds dogs are healthier than purebred dogs but this area is not as clear cut. Purebred dog breeders go out of their way to test their dogs for health problems and genetic diseases.
The Scary Reality of Dog Genetic Disease
One of their priority goals now is to identify the genes responsible for causing dog genetic diseases, defective genes, carrier states of hereditary disease and much more.
University World News – BELGIUM: Dog study may unveil genetic secrets
Veterinary clinics from 12 European countries will collect 10000 DNA samples from a large cohort of dogs either healthy or suffering from a range of 18 defined diseases of relevance to human health such as cancer and heart disease.
Pedigree dog owner sounds alarm about genetic diseases
Six years ago, when Sandy Smith brought home a silky-furred, fef floppy-eared puppy, she had no idea what was ahead of her.
Filed under Dog Health by on Mar 16th, 2009. 
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