| Do you ever read about a dog breed and discover | | | | loose fit of the 'ball and socket' hip joint and the ball |
| that a particular breed can be prone to a number of | | | | may continuously slide part way out of the socket. |
| diseases - most of which you can't understand? Are | | | | Over time this will cause osteoarthritis in the joint and |
| you in the process of choosing a dog and you want | | | | the dog will become lame and weak in the hind end. |
| to know which breed-specific hereditary disease that | | | | Some relief can be found with the use of |
| the breeder should have screened out in the breeding | | | | nutriceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin, and |
| stock? | | | | anti-inflammatories. Some cases are so bad that the |
| Most breeders spend a lot of time and resources | | | | dog must have surgery or be euthanized. Ensuring |
| trying to get rid of genetic diseases in their lines. | | | | that your dog isn't overfed and overweight can delay |
| However, some amateur breeders and puppy mills | | | | the onset of hip dysplasia. Larger breeds that grow |
| are breeding dogs without screening the parents and | | | | fastest during the first four months seem to be |
| perpetuating poor genetic health. | | | | more prone to this disease. Hip dysplasia is the most |
| This article is not exhaustive but will attempt to | | | | common inherited orthopedic disease in large and |
| describe some common hereditary musculoskeletal | | | | giant breeds and many medium-sized breeds as well. |
| diseases and indicate some of the dog breeds that | | | | Legg-Calve-Perthes is a disease of the hip joint |
| have shown a tendency to inherit these diseases in | | | | where the ball or head of the femur deteriorates and |
| the past. Since so many dogs have inherited | | | | causes pain and lameness in the hind leg. This disease |
| orthopedic problems, these disorders are extremely | | | | usually affects young small dogs aged from 4 to 12 |
| well researched and studied. If you want to check on | | | | months. This condition is successfully treated by |
| a particular dog breed you can go to my Directory of | | | | surgery. This disorder can affect all terriers, |
| Breed of Dogs and search on a particular breed for | | | | Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Miniature pinscher, Miniature |
| its health issues. | | | | poodles, Pugs and Toy poodles. |
| There are a number of common inherited diseases | | | | Panosteitis or 'pano' is a common condition which |
| for which reputable breeders screen their breeding | | | | suddenly causes lameness in a growing puppy or |
| stock. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) | | | | adolescent dog. The lameness is a result of |
| has specialists evaluate X-rays, DNA, thyroid, cardiac | | | | inflammation of the long bones of the front and hind |
| and other tests and register the results. A | | | | legs and can be mild to severe. A veterinarian will |
| prospective pure-bred puppy buyer should ask to see | | | | probably prescribe pain medication and ask you to |
| the OFA results for the dog's sire and dam. | | | | restrict exercise. Affected puppies usually grow out |
| Chondrodysplasia or dwarfism in the legs is a disease | | | | of the condition as they mature. It is most common |
| that causes malformation of the carpal and radius | | | | in male medium- to giant-sized dog breeds which |
| bones of the front legs resulting in a stunted and | | | | include the: Afghan Hound, Basset hound, Doberman |
| bowed look. Puppies born with this disease do not | | | | pinscher, German shepherd, Great Dane, Great |
| show any signs until they grow older. The disease | | | | Pyrenees, Labrador retriever and Rottweiler. |
| can be painful and often the only choice is to | | | | Luxating Patella (Patellar luxation) or slipped stifle is a |
| euthanize the dog. This disease is most common in | | | | hereditary condition where the knee cap slips out of |
| the Alaskan malamute and the Beagle. | | | | its groove. In some cases, the kneecap will slip back |
| Elbow dysplasia is a hereditary disease in which the | | | | into place while in other cases; a veterinarian may |
| elbow joints of the front legs are malformed. | | | | need to put it back in place. If it is not corrected |
| Lameness usually makes its appearance around 7 to | | | | through surgery, then osteoarthritis will usually result. |
| 10 months of age and is treated by | | | | The condition is quite prevalent in toy breeds. It is |
| anti-inflammatories and also surgery. All breeds are | | | | commonly seen in the Affenpinscher, Australian |
| susceptible to the disease but it is most common in | | | | terrier, Basset hound, Boston terrier, Chihuahua, |
| large male breeds. These breeds include the: Basset | | | | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, |
| hound, Bernese mountain dog, Bloodhound, Bouvier | | | | Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle |
| des Flandres, Chow Chow, German shepherd, Golden | | | | (miniature and toy) and Lhasa Apso. |
| retriever, Great Pyrenees, Irish wolfhound, Labrador | | | | There are many more hereditary diseases that are |
| retriever, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard and | | | | prevalent in a number of dog breeds. Contact your |
| Weimaraner. | | | | breed's national breed club for a list of the most |
| Hip dysplasia is a disorder that results when there is a | | | | common inherited genetic diseases. |