Musculoskeletal conditions

Panosteitis

• Also known as enostosis, eosinophilic panosteitis
  
• Common
  
• Young males predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 1.9 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Perianal (hepatoid) gland adenomas

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Average age was 10.5 years
  
• Entire males were predisposed

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Neurological conditions

Afghan myelopathy

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suggested
  
• Age of clinical onset: 6–9 months
  
• Rare condition

(Averill & Bronson 1977)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 4–24 months
  
• Localization: initially equatorial, later anterior and posterior cortical. Rapid progression possible, leading to visual impairment at 2–4 years

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt &Mackay 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Corneal dystrophy

• Inheritance suspected

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Corneal oedema (due to infection or vaccination with canine adenovirus type 1)

• Increased susceptibility (less commonly seenwith the development of canine adenovirus type 2 vaccines)

(Curtis & Barnett 1983)

Medial canthal pocket syndrome

• Breed predisposition due to head shape

(Rubin 1989)

Respiratory conditions

Chylothorax

• Usually idiopathic
  
• Uncommon condition
  
• Afghan hounds comprised 37.5% of dogs with idiopathic chylothorax in one study
  
• No sex predisposition noted

(Fossum, Birchard & Jacobs 1986)

Laryngeal paralysis

• Idiopathic
  
• Common condition
  
• May be inherited by an autosomal dominant mode

(Burbidge 1995)

Lung-lobe torsion

• Rare
  
• May be associated with chylothorax in this breed

(Johnson & Feeney 1984)

AIREDALE TERRIER

Cardiovascular conditions

Dilated cardiomyopathy

• Increased prevalence with age
  
• Approximately twice as common in males as in females
  
• Thought to be familial or genetic

(Tidholm & Jonsson 1997)

Dermatological conditions

Canine follicular dysplasia/seasonal flank alopecia

• A marked predilection in this breed implies a genetic basis for this group of diseases
  
• Hair loss begins at 2–4 years of age and occurs mainly on the flank

(Miller & Dunstan 1993)

Generalized demodicosis

• Airedales are in the ten breeds at highest statistical risk of this disease in the Cornell, USA, population
  
• Common condition
  
• Younger dogs predisposed
  
• No sex predilection
  
• Susceptibility to generalized demodicosis may be inherited
  
• Incidence within breeds may vary depending on geographical location

(Scott Miller & Griffin 2001b)

Grass awn migration

• Common in the summer months
  
• Predisposed due to behaviour

(Brennan & Ihrke 1983)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Vascular naevus

• More common in older dogs
  
• Occur most commonly on the scrotum

(Scott Miller & Griffin 2001c)

Endocrine conditions

Hypothyroidism

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May occur younger in breeds at risk (2–3years)
  
• Neutered males and females at increased risk

(Milne & Hayes 1981)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Haemophilia B

• Severe Factor IX deficiency in this breed
  
• Familial in this breed
  
• Genetic test available (HealthGene) – see Appendix

(Brooks 1999)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio in the breed 1.82 in one study, 3.9 (compared to mixed breeds) in another study

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002, Witsberger et al. 2008)

Spondylosis deformans

• Usually clinically insignificant
  
• Common
  
• May be associated with type II intervertebral disc disease

(Levine et al. 2006)

Neoplastic conditions

Cutaneous haemangioma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.7 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Cutaneous plasmacytoma

• Breed at risk
  
• Mean age: 9.2 years

Common sites: ear, lip and digit

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992)

Melanoma – cutaneous

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.9 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Morris & Dobson 2001)

Nasal cavity tumours

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Median age: 9 years
  
• Males over-represented in most studies

(McEntree 2001)

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Toma & Noli 2005)

Ocular conditions

Corneal dystrophy

• Sex-linked recessive inheritance has been suggested
  
• Lipid stromal dystrophy
  
• Age of onset: 9–11 months
  
• Progressive with vision impairment at 3–4 years

(Rubin 1989, Cooley & Dice 1990, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected

(Rubin 1989)

Reproductive conditions

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex (pyometra)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Common disease of older entire bitches (meanage: 7.25 years)
  
• Most cases present within 12 weeks of oestrus

(Chastain, Panciera &Waters 1999, Smith 2006)

AKITA

(See Japanese Akita)

ALASKAN KLEE KAI

Haematological/immunological conditions

Factor VII deficiency

• 6/18 client-owned dogs had this deficiency in one study
  
• Inherited condition
  
• Genetic test available (PennGen; VetGen) – see Appendix

(Kaae, Callan & Brooks 2007)

ALASKAN MALAMUTE

Dermatological conditions

Alopecia X

• Poorly understood disorder
  
• Occurs at 2–7 years of age

(Leone et al. 2005)

Follicular dysplasia

• May affect multiple dogs in a litter
  
• Clipped areas tend not to regrow
  
• Signs may not be seen until 3–4 years of age in this breed

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Generalized demodicosis

• Malamutes are in the ten breeds at highest statistical risk of this disease in the Cornell, USA, population
  
• Common condition
  
• Younger dogs predisposed
  
• No sex predilection
  
• Susceptibility to generalized demodicosis may be inherited
  
• Incidence within breeds may vary depending on geographical location

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001b)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Zinc-responsive dermatosis

• Syndrome I affects malamutes
  
• Skin lesions develop despite adequate levels of zinc in the diet
  
• Malamutes have a genetic defect causing zinc malabsorption

(Cole 2002)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Factor VII deficiency

• Inherited as an autosomal dominant trait

(Littlewood 2000)

Haemophilia B

Factor IX deficiency

• Also known as Christmas disease
  
• Inherited as a sex-linked trait
  
• Less common than haemophilia A
  
• Can be severe in this breed

(Dodds 2005)

Stomatocytosis

• Uncommon condition
  
• Seen in a few cases of malamutes with chondrodysplasia

(Giger 2003)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Alaskan malamute chondrodysplasia

• Causes disproportionate dwarfism
  
• Haemolytic anaemia usually present
  
• May be zinc responsive
  
• Autosomal recessive inheritancewith complete penetrance and variable expression

(Bingel, Sande &Wight 1985)

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio in the breed 2.33

(Witsberger et al. 2008)

Neoplastic conditions

Anal sac adenocarcinoma

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 10.2–10.8 years
  
• Some surveys suggest a predisposition for females

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Bennett et al. 2002)

Perianal (hepatoid) gland carcinomas

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Entire males were predisposed

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Sebaceous gland tumours

• Breed at risk of sebaceous adenoma and epithelioma in case series
  
• Mean age: 10.9 years (adenoma) and 10.7 years (epithelioma)
  
• Common site: head and eyelids

(Scott & Anderson 1990, Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Sweat gland tumour

• Breed at risk of apocrine adenoma in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.5 years

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Neurological conditions

Idiopathic epilepsy

• Age of onset: 6 months to 6 years
  
• Common condition

(Bagley 2005)

Idiopathic polyneuropathy in Alaskan malamutes

• Uncommon
  
• Affects mature young adults

(Braund et al. 1997)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 1 year
  
• Localization: posterior subcapsular, slowly progressive; complete blindness is rare
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Cone degeneration (hemeralopia or day blindness)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance
  
• Clinical onset (day blindness) at 4–8 weeks
  
• Uncommon condition

(Rubin 1989, Sidjanin et al. 2002, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Corneal dystrophy

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Lipid dystrophy
  
• Age of onset: 2 years

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Glaucoma (primary)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: >6 years

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

AMERICAN BULLDOG

Ocular conditions

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Rare condition
  
• Genetic test available (VetGen; Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) – see Appendix

(Awano et al. 2006)

Neurological conditions

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

• See under Ocular conditions

AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER

Gastrointestinal conditions

Parvovirus enteritis

• See under Infectious conditions

Infectious conditions

Babesiosis (Babesia gibsoni)

• High incidence reported in this breed in USA, Australia and Japan (unknown if this is due to a true breed susceptibility or increased risk of exposure via ticks or possibly bites)
  
• Often subclinical
  
• Tickborne disease but possibly also transmitted by fighting

(Birkenheuer et al. 2005, Boozer & Macintire 2005, Miyama et al. 2005, Jefferies et al. 2007)

Parvovirus enteritis

• Breed at increased risk in cases series
  
• Age 6 weeks to 6 months at higher risk

(Houston, Ribble & Head 1996, McCaw & Hoskins 2006)

Ocular conditions

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Cone-rod dystrophy
  
• Ophthalmoscopic signs at 3–6 months

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Renal and urinary conditions

Urolithiasis – cystine

• Cystinuria results from an inherited defect in renal tubular transport of cystine and predisposes to cystine urolithiasis
  
• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Young dogs affected (2–5 years)
  
• Almost all cases are male

(Case et al. 1992, Osborne & Finco 1995, Houston et al. 2004, Harnevik, Hoppe & Söderkvist 2006)

AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER

Dermatological conditions

Atopy

• Common disease, affecting around 10% of canine population
  
• Birth in autumn or summer is a predisposing factor
  
• Dogs between 1 and 2 years of age have the highest probability of an insurance claim for atopy
  
• Some studies show no sex predilection, others show females predisposed
  
• This breed had a risk factor of 7.6 cases per 1000 dog years at risk (if 1000 dogs were followed for 1 year, 7.6 would have an insurance claim for atopy)

(Nodvedt et al. 2006)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Truncal solar dermatitis

• A combination of factors are required to cause this condition
  
• Flank and abdomen most severely affected (Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001e)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture

• Common cause of hindlimb lameness
  
• Neutered individuals are predisposed
  
• Older animals are predisposed
  
• Odds ratio in this breed 1.62

(Witsberger et al. 2008)

Panosteitis

• Also known as enostosis, eosinophilic panosteitis
  
• Common
  
• Young males predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 2.0 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 3.6 years (50% <2 years)
  
• Mainly head, pinnae and limbs

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Scott, Miller & Griffin 1995, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Cutaneous haemangiosarcoma

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.6 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Pastor 2002)

Mast cell tumours

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May be seen at any age (from 4 months onwards), but usually seen in older animals
  
• Predilection sites include hindlimb, perineum and scrotum

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Sweat gland tumour

• Breed at risk of apocrine ductal adenoma in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.1 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 1 year
  
• Localization: suture lines progressing to nuclear and cortical cataract. Complete blindness at 3 years

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Clinically evident at 1.5 years of age

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV)

• Congenital, inheritance suspected

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Neurological conditions

Cerebellar cortical degeneration

• Recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Uncommon condition
  
• Late onset
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen) – seeAppendix

(Henke et al. 2008)

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL

Dermatological conditions

Adult-onset growth hormone-responsive dermatosis

• See under Endocrine conditions

Pattern baldness

• Hair loss occurs at about 6 months of age
  
• Ventral neck, thighs and tail are affected
  
• Frequency has been reduced by recognition of the problem by breed clubs (Scott, Miller and Griffin 2001d)

Endocrine conditions

Adult-onset growth hormone-responsive dermatosis

• Males may be predisposed
  
• Clinical signs seen at any age but often 1–2 years

(Lothrup 1988)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: <1 year
  
• Localization: anterior sutures

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Distichiasis

• Common condition, breed at increased risk

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG

Musculoskeletal conditions

Ankyloglossia

• Rarely reported condition
  
• Involves ‘tongue-tying’
  
• Young dogs affected

(Temizsoylu & Avki 2003)

Carpal laxity syndrome

• Reported in puppies
  
• Usually self-limiting

(Cetinkava, Yardimki & Saglam 2007)

Neurological conditions

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG

Gastrointestinal conditions

Congenital portosystemic shunt

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Clinical signs usually seen in young dogs <1 year
  
• Large intrahepatic shunts often involving the right liver lobe

(Tisdall et al. 1994, Hunt 2004, Sargan 2004, Krotscheck et al. 2007)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Patellar luxation

• Common condition
  
• Mainly medial luxation observed

(Alam et al. 2007)

Neoplastic conditions

Mast cell tumours

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May be seen at any age (from 4 months onwards), but usually seen in older animals
  
• Predilection sites include hindlimb, perineum and scrotum

(Baker-Gabb, Hunt & France 2003)

Neurological conditions

Congenital deafness

• Signs seen from birth
  
• Occurs most commonly in dogs with white pigment
  
• 14.5% prevalence in this breed in one study

(Strain 2004)

Hereditary polioencephalomyelopathy of the Australian Cattle dog

• Uncommon
  
• Affects young dogs
  
• Thought to be due to an inherited biochemical defect

(Brenner et al. 1997)

Lysosomal storage disease – ceroid lipofuscinosis

• Suspected to be inherited
  
• Rare

(Bagley 2005)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected

(Gelatt & Mackay 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Progressive rod-cone degeneration
  
• Ophthalmoscopic signs at 3–5 years, blindness at 6 years. A second earlier form may exist
  
• Mostly reported in the USA and Australia
  
• Schedule A BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen) – seeAppendix

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetcis Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Glaucoma (primary)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Males predisposed in one study

(Gelatt & Mackay 2004a, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Lens luxation (primary)

• Inherited
  
• Reported in middle-aged dogs in Australia
  
• Genetic test available (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) – see Appendix

(Rubin 1989, Sargan 2004, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Renal and urinary conditions

Urolithiasis – Cystine

• Cystinuria results from an inherited defect in

renal tubular transport of cystine and predisposes

to cystine urolithiasis

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Young dogs affected (2–5 years)
  
• Almost all cases are male

(Case et al. 1992, Osborne & Finco 1995, Houston et al. 2004, Harnevik, Hoppe & Söderkvist 2006)

AUSTRALIAN KELPIE

Musculoskeletal conditions

Perineal herniation

• Intact male dogs predisposed
  
• Common condition

(Elkins 2004)

Neurological conditions

Cerebellar degeneration

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suggested
  
• Uncommon
  
• Signs seen at 6–12 weeks

(Thomas & Robertson 1989)

Ocular conditions

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Ophthalmoscopic signs visible at 1.5 years, progresses to blindness by 4 years

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD DOG

Dermatological conditions

Mucocutaneous hypopigmentation

• Nasal formis a commonproblem in Australian Shepherd Dogs
  
• May have concurrent seasonal nasal hypopigmentation

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001a)

Nasal solar dermatitis

• Develops in dogs that are amelanotic
  
• Frequently affected breed
  
• Condition seen more frequently in sunny climates

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001e)

Drug reactions

Ivermectin and milbemycin

• High doses can cause tremors, ataxia, coma and death
  
• Associated with the mutant MDR1 allele
  
• 16.6% of dogs of this breed tested had themutation

(Mealey, Munyard & Bentien 2005, Dowling 2006)

Endocrine conditions

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s syndrome)

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Median age: 10 years

(Wood et al. 2007)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Haemophilia A

• Moderate Factor VIII deficiency in this breed
  
• Familial in this breed

(Brooks 1999)

Pelger–Huet anomaly

• May not be clinically significant

(Giger 2003)

Selective malabsorption of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂)

• Causes a non-regenerative anaemia with poikilocytosis and neutropenia
  
• Genetic test available (PennGen) – see Appendix

(Giger 2003)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Legg–Calve–Perthes disease

• Uncommon condition
  
• Odds ratio 1.91 in one study (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Polydactyly/syndactyly

• Inherited, possibly as an X-linked gene
  
• Uncommon condition
  
• Reported in one family of Australian Shepherd dogs

(Sponenberg & Bowling 1985)

Neoplastic conditions

Pituitary tumour resulting in

hyperadrenocorticism

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• See under Endocrine conditions

(Wood et al. 2007)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Autosomal dominant inheritance suspected
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
  
• This breed also gets congenital cataracts (see Multiple ocular defects below)
  
• Genetic test available (AHT) – see Appendix

(Gelatt & Mackay 2005, Mellersch et al. 2006, AVCO Genetics Committeee 2007)

Chronic superficial keratitis (pannus)

• Breed at risk in case series, inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 4–7 years
  
• Prevalence and severity increase at higher altitude

(Chavkin et al. 1994)

Collie eye anomaly (choroidal hypoplasia and sometimes optic nerve colobomas)

• Congenital condition, inheritance suspected
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen) – seeAppendix

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Munyard, Sherry & Sherry 2007)

Coloboma (Iris, choroid or optic nerve)

• Congenital, inheritance suspected
  
• Where these defects are seen alone, it is not known if they are related to the same conditions found associated with microphthalmia and multiple ocular defects
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Progressive rod-cone degeneration
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen) – seeAppendix

(Rubin 1989, Sargan 2004, ACVO Genetcis Committee 2007)

Multiple ocular defects

• Autosomal recessive inheritance with incomplete penetrance has been suggested
  
• Defects seem to be associated with merles with predominantly white coats
  
• Defects may include microphthalmia, microcornea, cataract, persistent pupillary membranes, equatorial staphylomas, colobomas and retinal dysplasia

(Gelatt, Powell & Huston 1981, Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Persistent hyaloid artery

• Congenital, inheritance suspected

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Munyard, Sherry & Sherry 2007)

Renal and urinary conditions

Urolithiasis – cystine

• Cystinuria results from an inherited defect in renal tubular transport of cystine and predisposes to cystine urolithiasis
  
• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Young dogs affected (2–5 years)
  
• Almost all cases are male

(Case et al. 1992, Osborne & Finco 1995, Houston et al. 2004, Harnevik, Hoppe & Söderkvist 2006)

AUSTRALIAN SILKY TERRIER

(See Silky Terrier)

AUSTRALIAN TERRIER

Endocrine Conditions

Diabetes mellitus

• Familial
  
• Usual age range 4–14 years, peak incidence 7–9 years
  
• Old entire females are predisposed (Fall et al. 2007)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Patellar luxation

• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 8.0 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Melanoma – cutaneous

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.9 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Males predisposed in one study

(Gelatt & Mackay 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

BASENJI

Gastrointestinal conditions

Immunoproliferative enteropathy (of Basenjis)

• Familial, possibly breed specific
  
• Usually presents before 3 years

(Ochoa, Breitschwerdt & Lincoln 1984, Sargan 2004)

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis

• Part of Immunoproliferative enteropathy (see above)

Haematological conditions

Pyruvate kinase deficiency

• Causes chronic, regenerative haemolytic

anaemia

• Inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
  
• Genetic test available (PennGen; Optigen; VetGen; HealthGene) – see Appendix

(Whitney & Lothrop 1995)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Pyruvate kinase deficiency

• See Haematological conditions

Ocular conditions

Coloboma (optic nerve)

• Congenital defect, inheritance suspected
  
• Has been associated with persistent pupillary membranes in this breed

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Persistent pupillary membranes

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Widespread defect in this breed (40–90% prevalence reported)
  
• Severity and effect on vision varies
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Mason 1976, Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Physiological conditions

Pelger–Huet anomaly

• Decreased segmentation of granulocyte nuclei is seen
  
• Does not appear to be clinically significant

(Day 2002)

Renal and urinary conditions

Familial renal disease (Fanconi syndrome)

• See Fanconi syndrome

Fanconi syndrome

• Familial, autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• 10% Basenjis in the USA affected in one study
  
• Most dogs present at 1–5 years
  
• Genetic test available (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) – see Appendix

(Bovee et al. 1978, Noonan & Kay 1990, Sargan 2004)

Urolithiasis – cystine

• Cystinuria results from an inherited defect in renal tubular transport of cystine and predisposes to cystine urolithiasis
  
• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Young dogs affected (2–5 years)
  
• Almost all cases are male

(Case et al. 1992, Osborne & Finco 1995, Houston et al. 2004, Harnevik, Hoppe & Söderkvist 2006)

Reproductive conditions

Variation in the interoestrus interval

• This breed normally cycles only once per year

(Feldman & Nelson 1996)

Respiratory conditions

Asthma

• Seen in Basenji-greyhound crosses
  
• Used as a model for the human disease
  
• Associated with airway hyper-reactivity

(Peters, Hirshman & Malley 1982)

BASSET HOUND

Cardiovascular conditions

Ventricular septal defect

• Marked risk in this breed (relative risk >5)
  
• No sex predilection
  
• Congenital

(Buchanan 1999)

Dermatological conditions

Black hair follicular dysplasia

• Rare
  
• Early onset
  
• Suspected autosomal recessive mode of inheritance

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Congenital hypotrichosis

• Familial
  
• Thought to be autoimmune

(Chastain & Swayne 1985)

Intertrigo

• Body fold intertrigo occurs in Bassets occasionally
  
• Obesity predisposes

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001e)

Malassezia dermatitis

• Affects adults of any age or sex
  
• May be seasonal
  
• Predisposition in this breed to overcolonization with yeast thought to be due to a primary keratinization defect and/or the presence of deep skin folds

(Guillot et al. 2003)

Pododermatitis

• Can affect any age or sex
  
• Males predisposed
  
• Front feet more commonly affected

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001f)

Primary seborrhoea

• Probably inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
  
• Signs first appear at an early age and get worse
  
• In this breed, otitis, greasy seborrhoea and dermatitis are seen, often in the body folds

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Gastrointestinal conditions

Mycobacterium avium complex infection

• Breed at risk of gastrointestinal infection with the avian form of tuberculosis
  
• See under Infectious conditions

Haematological conditions

Hereditary thrombopathy

• Aka Basset Hound thrombopathia
  
• Autosomally inherited
  
• Genetic test available (Auburn University) – see Appendix

(Patterson et al. 1989)

Severe combined immunodeficiency

• Inherited as an X-linked recessive trait
  
• Thymic hypoplasia and lymphopaenia seen
  
• Genetic test available (PennGen) – see Appendix

(Giger 2003)

Infectious conditions

Infectious skin diseases

• See under Dermatological conditions

Mycobacterium avium complex

• Rare condition seen relatively more frequently in this breed
  
• Possibly due to an inherited immunological defect

(Carpenter et al. 1988)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Elbow dysplasia

• Ununited anconeal process (odds ratio 2.7 compared to mixed breeds) and fragmented coronoid process (odds ratio of 19.5) seen in this breed
  
• Common cause of forelimb lameness
  
• In this breed, ununited anconeal process is secondary to non-traumatic premature closure of the distal ulnar growth plate

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002, Schulz 2002)

Panosteitis

• Also known as enostosis, eosinophilic panosteitis
  
• Common
  
• Young males predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 3.5 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Patellar luxation

• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 2.0 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Anal sac adenocarcinoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 10.2–10.8 years
  
• Some surveys suggest a predisposition for females

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Myxosarcoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.9 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Nasal cavity tumours

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Median age: 9 years
  
• Males over-represented in most studies (McEntree 2001)

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Toma & Noli 2005)

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 10.2 years
  
• Dogs which ‘sunbathe’ may be predisposed

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992)

Trichoepithelioma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.6 years
  
• Uncommon tumour
  
• Predilection sites: limbs, back and trunk

(Scott and Anderson 1991, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Neurological conditions

Cervical vertebral malformation (wobbler syndrome)

• Common condition in large and giant breeds
  
• Seen occasionally in this breed
  
• Heritability, nutrition and growth rate, body conformation and trauma are possible causes

(Olby 2003)

Intervertebral disc disease

• Common
  
• Adults affected
  
• This breed typically has its first episode of this disease at a greater age than other breeds

(Mayhew et al. 2004)

Lafora’s disease

• Aka progressive myoclonic epilepsy
  
• Suspected to be inherited
  
• Alpha-glucosidase deficiency in lysosomal storage disease
  
• Rare
  
• Forebrain disease usually seen in first age of life

(Kaiser, Krauser & Scwartz-Porsche 1991)

Ocular conditions

Ectropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Associated with macroblepharon

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Associated with macroblepharon

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Eversion of the cartilage of the nictitating membrane

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Usually occurs in young dogs

(Rubin 1989)

Glaucoma (primary)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Prevalence increases with age (mean age of onset

6.3 years)

• Females predisposed in one study
  
• Goniodysgenesis may be present
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt & Mackay 2004a, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Macroblepharon (‘diamond eye’)

• Inheritance suspected

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Persistent hyaloid artery

• Congenital, inheritance suspected

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Physiological conditions

Osteochondrodysplasia

• Accepted as breed standard
  
• Short, bowed legs but normal skulls seen

(Martínez et al. 2007)

Renal and urinary conditions

Urolithiasis – cystine

• Cystinuria results from an inherited defect in renal tubular transport of cystine and predisposes to cystine urolithiasis
  
• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Young dogs affected (2–5 years)
  
• Almost all cases are male

(Osborne et al. 1999)

BEAGLE

Note: Because of the beagle’s extensive use in research settings, a large number of conditions are described in the breed that are not described in detail in other breeds. However, these may not represent true breed predispositions. This may be because the beagle is the only breed in which a condition has been studied in detail, the study being carried out to assist in human medical research. The conditions listed below are likely to represent true breed predispositions inthe beagle.

Cardiovascular conditions

Canine juvenile polyarteritis syndrome

• Causes a pain syndrome
  
• Reported in the USA, France and the UK

(Snyder et al. 1995)

Pulmonic stenosis

• Thirdmost frequent cause of canine congenital heart disease
  
• Polygenic mode of inheritance shown in this breed

(Darke 1989)

Dermatological conditions

Black hair follicular dysplasia

• Rare
  
• Early onset
  
• Familial

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Familial vasculopathy

• Necrotising vasculitis of small- and mediumsized arteries
  
• Early onset of signs (4–10 months)
  
• No sex predilection noted

(Scott-Moncrieff et al. 1992)

Skin tumours

• See Neoplastic conditions

Truncal solar dermatitis

• A combination of factors are required to cause this condition
  
• Flank and abdomen most severely affected

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001e)

Zinc-responsive dermatosis

• In beagles, occurs in puppies fed zinc-deficient diets

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001g)

Endocrine conditions

Diabetes mellitus

• Familial
  
• Usual age range 4–14 years, peak incidence 7–9 years
  
• Most cases female in this breed

(Fall et al. 2007)

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s syndrome)

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Median age: 10 years

(Feldman & Nelson 1996, Wood et al. 2007)

Thyroid neoplasia (may be associated with hyper- or hypothyroidism, but most are euthyroid)

• Breed at increased risk according to some studies
  
• Average age: 10 years

(Brodey & Kelly 1968, Mitchell, Hurov & Troy 1979, Harari, Patterson & Rosenthal 1986)

Gastrointestinal conditions

Selective malabsorption of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂)

• Rare condition
  
• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• See also under Haematological conditions

(Fyfe et al. 1991, Fordyce, Callan & Giger 2000, Battersby, Giger & Hall 2005)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Factor VII deficiency

• Inherited as an autosomal dominant trait
  
• Genetic test available (PennGen; AHT; VetGen) – see Appendix

(Littlewood 2000)

Haemophilia A

• Moderate Factor VIII deficiency in this breed
  
• Sporadic in this breed

(Brooks 1999)

Non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia

• Inherited condition
  
• Causes increased osmotic fragility of red cells

(Pekow et al. 1992)

Pyruvate kinase deficiency

• Causes chronic, regenerative haemolytic anaemia
  
• Genetic test available (PennGen) – see Appendix

(Giger 2003)

Selective IgA deficiency

• Often asymptomatic
  
• May be increased susceptibility to enteric infection

(Giger 2003)

Selective malabsorption of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂)

• Causes a non-regenerative anaemia with poikilocytosis and neutropenia
  
• See also under Gastrointestinal conditions

(Giger 2003)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Brachyury

• Inherited as an autosomal dominant trait
  
• May becomemore commonincountrieswhere docking is illegal

(Indrebo et al. 2008)

Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia

• Inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
  
• Uncommon condition

(Rasmussen 1971)

Neoplastic conditions

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 3.6 years (50% <2 years)
  
• Mainly head, pinnae and limbs

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Cutaneous haemangiosarcoma

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.6 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Mast cell tumours

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May be seen at any age (from 4 months onwards), but usually seen in older animals
  
• Predilection sites include hindlimb, perineum and scrotum

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Perianal (hepatoid) gland adenomas

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Average age was 10.5 years
  
• Entire males were predisposed

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt &Mcmanus 2000)

Pituitary tumour resulting in hyperadrenocorticism

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• See under Endocrine conditions

(Wood et al. 2007)

Sebaceous gland tumours

• Breed at risk of nodular sebaceous hyperplasia in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.1years
  
• Females may be predisposed
  
• Common site: limbs, trunk, eyelids

(Scott & Anderson 1990, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Thyroid neoplasia

• See under Endocrine conditions

Neurological conditions

Cerebellar degeneration

• Reported in Japan and the USA
  
• Signs seen at 3 weeks
  
• Rare condition
  
• Suspected autosomal recessive trait

(Yasuba et al. 1988)

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

Congenital vestibular disease

• Signs seen <3 months
  
• May be seen with congenital deafness
  
• Often bilateral in this breed

(Bagley 2005)

Hound ataxia

• Reported in the UK
  
• Age of onset: 2–7 years
  
• Nutritional disease in dogs fed ruminant stomachs

(Palmer, Medd &Wilkinson 1984)

Idiopathic epilepsy

• Inherited in this breed
  
• Age of onset: 6 months to 6 years

(Thomas 2003)

Intervertebral disc disease

• Common
  
• Adults affected

(Mayhew et al. 2004)

Lysosomal storage disease – neuronal glycoproteinosis (Lafora’s disease)

• Suspected to be inherited
  
• Rare
  
• Signs seen at 5–12 months

(Bagley 2005)

Meningitis and polyarteritis

• Uncommon disease
  
• Age of onset: <1 year
  
• Aetiology unknown, but possibly infectious or environmental in origin

(Tipold 2002)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Congenital anterior capsular cataracts; unilateral; rarely affect vision
  
• Posterior cortical cataracts affect mature dogs, are usually bilateral and progress slowly
  
• Congenital cataract also seen with microphthalmia

(see below)

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Peiffer & Petersen-Jones 2009)

Congenital cataract with microphthalmia

• Congenital, inheritance suspected

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetcis Committee 2007)

Corneal dystrophy

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Oval lipid dystrophy
  
• One report found 15% beagles examined were affected
  
• Progressive but rarely affects vision

(Roth et al. 1981, Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Distichiasis

• Common condition, breed at increased risk

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Glaucoma (primary, open angle)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance
  
• Develops from 6 months

(Gelatt & Gum 1981, Rubin 1989, Gelatt & Mackay 2004a, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Lens luxation

• Usually seen secondary to glaucoma

(Rubin 1989)

Micropapilla

• Congenital condition
  
• Seen occasionally

(Rubin 1989)

Microphthalmia-microphakia-persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) syndrome

• Congenital, dominant inheritance suspected
  
• Heterozygotes have PPM and congenital cataract/microphakic lens
  
• Homozygotes are microphthalmic, have multiple ocular defects and are blind

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Multifocal chorioretinitis

• Inheritance suspected

(Von Landenberg et al. 1990, Gelatt 2007)

Multiple ocular defects of the posterior segment

• Congenital, autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Defects include retention of the hyaloid system, excessivemyelination of the optic disc and neovascularization of the retina, with a tendency for intraocular haemorrhage. May be unilateral or bilateral

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane (‘cherry eye’)

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Usually presents in the first 1–2 years of life

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt 2007)

Retinal dysplasia – multifocal

• Congenital condition, inheritance suspected
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetcis Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Tapetal degeneration

• Autosomal recessive inheritance
  
• Associatedwith lightly pigmented iridal tissues
  
• Minor condition with no effect on vision

(Burns et al. 1988, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Physiological conditions

Hypochondroplasia

• Accepted as breed standard
  
• Short, bowed legs but normal skulls seen

(Martinez, Valdes & Alonso 2000)

Renal and urinary conditions

Renal amyloidosis

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Most cases >6 years at diagnosis
  
• Females predisposed in one study
  
• Amyloid is mostly glomerular, dogs present with proteinuria and renal failure

(DiBartola et al. 1989, Bowles & Mosier 1992, Osborne &

Finco 1995)

Unilateral renal agenesis

• Uncommon condition
  
• High prevalence reported in some families of beagles

(Robbins 1965, Osborne & Finco 1995)

BEARDED COLLIE

Dermatological conditions

Black hair follicular dysplasia

• Uncommon
  
• Changes usually seen by 4 weeks of age
  
• Thought to be inherited as an autsomal recessive trait

(Schmutz et al. 1998)

Pemphigus foliaceous

• Uncommon
  
• Mean age of onset 4.2 years

(Ihrke et al. 1985)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Endocrine conditions

Hypoadrenocorticism

• Inherited, mode unknown
  
• Mean age 4.6 years in one case series of all breeds
  
• Females may be predisposed
  
• Uncommon condition

(Feldman & Nelson 1996, Oberbauer et al. 2002)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Congenital elbow luxation

• Uncommon
  
• Radial head luxation seen in this breed
  
• Occurs at 4–5 months of age

(Robins & Innes 2006)

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 3.1 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Basal cell tumour (many cases are now reclassified as trichoblastoma)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 7.9 years
  
• Mostly found on head and neck

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Fibrosarcoma – cutaneous

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Females may be predisposed
  
• Mean age: 8.6 years in one study

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma (keratoacanthoma)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 7.3 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992)

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Toma & Noli 2005)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 2–5 years
  
• Localization: anterior polar subcapsular

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt &Mackay 2005, AVCO Genetics Committee 2007)

BEAUCERON

Dermatological conditions

Atopy

• Common disease, affecting around 10% of canine population
  
• Birth in autumn or summer is a predisposing factor
  
• Dogs between 1 and 2 years of age have highest probability of an insurance claim for atopy
  
• Some studies show no sex predilection, others show females predisposed

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001h)

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

• Rare condition
  
• Lesions at mucocutaneous junctions, pressure points and claws
  
• Tooth enamel defects, retarded growth and abnormal stance also seen

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Familial canine dermatomyositis

• Inherited, idiopathic inflammatory condition
  
• Lesions usually occur before 6 months of age

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa

• Rare condition
  
• Genital and mucocutaneous lesions at 6 weeks of age
  
• Probably autosomal recessive inheritance

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

BEDLINGTON TERRIER

Dermatological conditions

Melanotrichia

• Often follows healing of deep inflammation

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001a)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Gastrointestinal conditions

Chronic hepatitis (copper storage hepatopathy, copper toxicosis)

• Chronic hepatitis results from a primary defect in copper excretion and abnormal copper retention in the hepatocytes. This defect is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
  
• Clinical onset seen in young to middle-aged dogs
  
• High prevalence worldwide, up to 66% of the breed affected in the USA
  
• Genetic test available (AHT; VetGen) – see Appendix

(Twedt, Sternlieb & Gilbertson 1979, Johnson et al. 1980, Watson 2004)

Neoplastic conditions

Cutaneous haemangioma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.7 years

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma (keratoacanthoma)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 7.3 years

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Toma & Noli 2005)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: one type occurs by 3 months of age, another at 2 years
  
• Localization: posterior subcapsular. May progress

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt &Mackay 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Distichiasis

• Common condition, breed at increased risk

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Affects outer lower lid

(Rubin 1989)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Clinically evident at 1–2 years of age

(Rubin 1989)

Lacrimal punctal atresia

• Congenital

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Retinal dysplasia – multifocal

• Congenital, autosomal recessive inheritance suspected

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Retinal dysplasia – total (with retinal detachment)

• Congenital, autosomal recessive inheritance
  
• Pups are blind from birth
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

BELGIAN SHEPHERD DOG

Gastrointestinal conditions

Gastric carcinoma

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Neoplastic conditions

Gastric carcinoma

• Rare condition seen relatively more frequently in this breeed
  
• Male dogs more commonly affected in case series
  
• Mean age of occurrence: 8–10 years

(Fonda, Gualtieri & Scanziani 1989, Gualtieri, Monzeglio & Scanziani 1999)

Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma (keratoacanthoma)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 7.3 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992)

Neurological conditions

Canine X-linked muscular dystrophy

• Reported in one litter of this breed
  
• Males only affected

(van Ham et al. 1993)

Idiopathic epilepsy

• Common in the Danish population of this breed
  
• Late onset in this breed increases prevalence due to dogs already being used for breeding by the time they first show signs

(Berendt et al. 2008)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Localization: posterior cortex,non-progressive
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Chronic superficial keratitis (pannus)

• Breed at risk in case series, inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 4–7 years
  
• Prevalence and severity increase at higher altitude

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected

(Sargan 2004, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Micropapilla

• Congenital

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Plasma cell infiltration of the nictitating membrane (plasmoma)

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May be associated with pannus

(Rubin 1989)

BELGIAN TERVUREN

Dermatological conditions

Atopy

• Common disease, affecting around 10% of canine population
  
• Birth in autumn or summer is a predisposing factor
  
• Dogs between 1 and 2 years of age have highest probability of an insurance claim for atopy
  
• Some studies show no sex predilection, others show females predisposed

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001h)

Granulomatous sebaceous adenitis

• Affects young to middle-aged dogs
  
• Uncommon
  
• No apparent sex predilection

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001i)

Hypopigmentary disorders

• Various causes
  
• Suspected to be hereditary in this breed

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001a)

Vitiligo

• Presumed to be hereditary
  
• Antimelanocyte antibodies found in all 17 affected Belgian Tervurens tested and none of the 11 normal Belgian Tervurens tested in one study

(Mahaffey, Yarbrough & Munnell 1978)

Neurological conditions

Idiopathic epilepsy

• Highly heritable in this breed, with a polygenic mode of inheritance
  
• Age of onset: 6 months to 6 years
  
• Common condition

(Cunningham & Farnbach 1988)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Localization: posterior cortex,non-progressive

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Chronic superficial keratitis (pannus)

• Breed at risk in case series, inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 4–7 years
  
• Prevalence and severity increase at higher altitude

(Rubin 1989, Chavkin et al. 1994, Gionfriddo & Powell 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Age of clinical onset: 4–5 years

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Micropapilla

• Congenital condition

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Physiological conditions

Leucopaenia

• Six out of 9 healthy Belgian Tervurens sampled had white blood cell counts in the range 2.4–5.4 10⁹/l

(Greenfield et al. 1999)

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

Dermatological conditions

Seasonal nasal hypopigmentation

• Common condition
  
• Also known as snow nose
  
• Usually occurs in winter

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001a)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Haematological/immunological conditions

Factor I deficiency

• Probably inherited as an autosomal recessive
  
• Severe signs in this breed

(Brooks 1999)

Factor VII deficiency

• Probably inherited as an autosomal recessive
  
• Mild signs in this breed

(Brooks 1999)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Elbow dysplasia

• Ununited anconeal process (odds ratio 5.1 compared to mixed breeds) and fragmented coronoid process (odds ratio of 1.40) seen in this breed
  
• Common cause of forelimb lameness

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002, Robins & Innes 2006)

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio in the breed 7.2 in one study (compared to mixed breeds)
  
• Decreasing prevalence seen in this breed in a recent French study

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002, Genevois et al. 2008)

Panosteitis

• Also known as enostosis, eosinophilic panosteitis
  
• Common
  
• Young males predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 2.8 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Shoulder osteochondrosis

• Males predisposed
  
• Age of onset usually 4–7 months, but can be older
  
• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 47.1 (compared to mixed breeds)

(Rudd,Whitehair & Margolis 1990, LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Histiocytosis – localized and disseminated

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Affects older dogs (7–8 years)
  
• More common in males

(Moore & Rosin 1986, Padgett et al. 1995, Affolter & Moore 2002, Moore, Affloter & Vernau 2006)

Histiocytosis – systemic

• Rare condition, not strictly neoplastic
  
• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Affects younger dogs (3–4 years)

(Moore 1984, Padgett et al. 1995)

Sweat gland tumour

• Breed at risk of apocrine ductal adenoma in case series
  
• Mean age: 9.1 years

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Neurological conditions

Hypomyelination of the central nervous system

• Rare condition
  
• Suspected to be autosomal recessive inheritance
  
• Signs seen at 2–8 weeks

(Palmer et al. 1987)

Idiopathic epilepsy

• Common condition
  
• Usual age of onset 6 months to 6 years
  
• Polygenic mode of inheritance in this breed

(Kathmann et al. 1999)

Meningitis and polyarteritis

• Uncommon disease
  
• Age of onset: <1 year
  
• Aetiology unknown, but possibly infectious or environmental in origin

(Tipold 2002)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 1 year; may progress and affect vision
  
• Localization: posterior subcapsular cortex

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics

Committee 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• Familial, inheritance suspected
  
• Early onset retinopathy has been described in this breed in France

(Rubin 1989, Chaudieu & Molon-Noblot 2004, ACVO Genetcis Committee 2007)

Systemic histiocytosis (ocular signs may include uveitis, chemosis and scleritis)

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Renal and urinary conditions

Familial renal disease (membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and interstitial nephritis)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Affected dogs present at 2–5 years with renal failure and marked proteinuria
  
• Most of the dogs studied had a high titre to Borrelia burgdorferi suggesting that it may have had a role in the development of the condition

(Minkus et al. 1994, Reusch et al. 1994, Osborne & Finco 1995)

Reproductive conditions

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex (pyometra)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Common disease of older entire bitches (mean age 7.25 years)
  
• Most cases present within 12 weeks of oestrus

(Egenvall et al. 2001, Smith 2006)

Respiratory conditions

Malignant histiocytosis

• See under Neoplastic condition

BICHON FRISE

Cardiovascular conditions

Patent ductus arteriosus

• Common congenital abnormality
  
• Relative risk 5.5
  
• Females predisposed
  
• Mode of inheritance is polygenic

(Buchanan 1999)

Dermatological conditions

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Bichon Frise 25

Gastrointestinal conditions

Congenital portosystemic shunt

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Clinical signs usually seen in young dogs <1 year
  
• More common in females than males
  
• Usually extrahepatic

(Hunt 2004, Sargan 2004)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia

• Common disease
  
• Usually affects young adult and middle-aged animals
  
• May be more common in bitches
  
• May be seasonal variations

(Miller, Hohenhaus & Hale 2004)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Patellar luxation

• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 4.8 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Basal cell tumour (many cases are now reclassified as trichoblastoma)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 7.9 years
  
• Mostly found on head and neck

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma (keratoacanthoma)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 7.3 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Toma & Noli 2005)

Trichoblastoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Usually older than 5 years
  
• Common

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Neurological conditions

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

Ocular conditions

Cataract (see plate 1 in the colour plate

section)

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected. High incidence in this breed (11.45% in one study)
  
• Age of onset: 2–8 years
  
• Localization: anterior and posterior cortices, some progress to completion
  
• Retinal detachment may be associated
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt et al. 2003, Adkins & Hendrix 2005, Gelatt & Mackay 2005,Wallace et al. 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Congenital, subepithelial, geographic corneal dystrophy (infantile corneal dystrophy)

• Congenital
  
• Occurs in young puppies (<10 weeks); transient condition

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt 2007)

Corneal dystrophy

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Paracentral, lipid dystrophy
  
• Age of onset: 2 years

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Glaucoma (secondary)

• Secondary to cataract
  
• Primary glaucoma may also be seen

(Gelatt & Mackay 2004a, b, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Renal and urinary conditions

Urolithiasis – calcium oxalate

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Average age at diagnosis in one large study: males 8.1 years, females 8.4 years
  
• Males predisposed (3:1 in one large study)

(Osborne & Finco 1995, Lulich et al. 1999, Osborne et al. 1999, Houston et al. 2004)

Urolithiasis – cystine

• Cystinuria results from an inherited defect in renal tubular transport of cystine and predisposes to cystine urolithiasis
  
• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Young dogs affected (2–5 years)
  
• Almost all cases are male

(Case et al. 1992, Osborne & Finco 1995, Houston et al. 2004, Harnevik, Hoppe & Söderkvist 2006)

Urolithiasis – struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate)

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Average age at diagnosis in one large study: males 6.0 years, females 5.7 years
  
• Females predisposed (16:1 in one large study)

(Osborne et al. 1999, Houston et al. 2004)

Respiratory conditions

Primary ciliary dyskinesia

• Inherited defect
  
• Usually signs seen within first few weeks of life

(Vaden et al. 1991)

BLOODHOUND

Cardiovascular conditions

Aortic stenosis

• Common congenital disease
  
• Relative risk >5.0
  
• No sex predilection
  
• Inheritance possibly autosomal dominantwith modifying genes, or polygenic

(Buchanan 1999)

Dermatological conditions

Malassezia dermatitis

• Common condition
  
• Affects any age
  
• May be seasonal

(Nesbitt 2002)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Gastrointestinal conditions

Gastric dilatation/volvulus

• Breed at risk in case series

(Sargan 2004)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 4.5 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Cutaneous haemangioma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.7 years

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Fibrosarcoma – cutaneous

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Females may be predisposed
  
• Mean age: 8.6 years in one study

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992,

Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 10.2 years
  
• Dogs which ‘sunbathe’ may be predisposed

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992)

Ocular conditions

Ectropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Associated with macroblepharon

(Bedford 1988, Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• High prevalence
  
• Associated with macroblepharon. Affects upper eyelids resulting in trichiasis

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Eversion of the cartilage of the nictitating membrane

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Usually occurs in young dogs

(Rubin 1989)

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

• Breed at increased risk

(Kaswan & Salisbury 1990)

Macroblepharon (‘diamond eye’)

• Inheritance suspected

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Multiple ocular defects

• Congenital
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(der Lugt et al. 1996)

Prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane (‘cherry eye’)

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Usually presents in the first 1–2 years of life

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

BOLOGNESE

Ocular conditions

Distichiasis

• Common condition, breed at increased risk

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

BOERBOEL

Musculoskeletal conditions

Elbow dysplasia

• Common in this breed in South Africa
  
• >38% incidence
  
• Males predisposed

(Kirberger & Stander 2007)

Neurological conditions

Cervical spondylomyelopathy

• Aka wobbler syndrome
  
• Seen in first 2 years of life in this breed

(Gray, Kirberger, Spotswood 2003)

BORDER COLLIE

Dermatological conditions

Black hair follicular dysplasia

• Uncommon
  
• Changes usually seen by 4 weeks of age
  
• Thought to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait

(Schmutz et al. 1998)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Gastrointestinal conditions

Congenital portosystemic shunt

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Clinical signs usually seen in young dogs <1 year

(Hunt 2004)

Selective malabsorption of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂)

• Rare condition
  
• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• See also under Haematological conditions

(Fordyce, Callan & Giger 2000, Battersby, Giger & Hall 2005)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Selective malabsorption of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂)

• Causes a non-regenerative anaemia with poikilocytosis and neutropenia
  
• See also under Gastrointestinal conditions

(Giger 2003)

Trapped neutrophil syndrome

• Suspected autsomal recessive inheritance
  
• Neutropenia results from failure of the neutrophils to escape from the bone marrow
  
• Genetic test available (University of NSW) – see Appendix

(Allan et al. 1996, Sharman & Wilton 2007)

Infectious conditions

Cryptococcosis

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Usually seen in dogs under 4 years
  
• Living outdoors and exposure to bird droppings are risk factors

(O’Brien et al. 2004)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Central tarsal bone fracture

• Reported in six border collies
  
• May have the radiographic appearance of a luxation

(Guillard 2007)

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 2.1 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Shoulder osteochondrosis

• Males predisposed
  
• Age of onset usually 4–7 months, but can be older
  
• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 15.0 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Testicular neoplasia

• See under Reproductive conditions

Neurological conditions

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

Lysosomal storage disease – ceroid lipofuscinosis

• Autosomal recessive inheritance
  
• Rare
  
• Signs seen at 1–2 years
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen; AHT) – see Appendix

(Bagley 2005)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 4–6 years
  
• Localization: anterior subcapsular cortex. Progress slowly
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Chronic superficial keratitis (pannus)

• Breed at risk in case series, inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 4–7 years
  
• Prevalence and severity increase at higher altitude

(Chavkin et al. 1994)

Collie eye anomaly

• Congenital disorder, autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen) – seeAppendix

(Bedford 1982a, Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA)

• An X-linked form of PRA has been identified in this breed

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Vilboux et al. 2008)

Lens luxation

• Simple autosomal recessive inheritance suggested
  
• Age of onset: 3–5 years (mean 4.7 years)
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Foster et al. 1986, Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Multiple ocular defects

• Congenital condition, seen in homozygous merles (the result of merle to merle breeding) with predominantly white coats
  
• Defects may include microphthalmia, microcornea, cataract, equatorial staphylomas and coloboma

(Rubin 1989)

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

• Autosomal recessive inheritance suspected
  
• Rare condition
  
• Genetic test available (Optigen; AHT) – see Appendix
  
• See also under Neurological conditions

(Melville et al. 2005)

Retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy (RPED), also known as central progressive retinal atrophy (CPRA)

• Mode of inheritance unknown
  
• Age of clinical onset: 1–2 years
  
• More prevalent in the UK than in the USA. Becoming less prevalent following the introduction of control schemes
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, Bedford 2001, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Reproductive conditions

Testicular neoplasia

• Breed at increased risk of sertoli cell tumour in case series
  
• Common tumour in male dog
  
• Mean age: 9–11 years

(Weaver 1983)

BORDER TERRIER

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Age of onset: 3–5 years
  
• Localization: posterior subcapsular cortex. Slowly progressive
  
• Schedule B of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Reproductive conditions

Dystocia

• Breed predisposition to dystocia due to primary uterine inertia

(Johnson et al. 2001)

BORZOI

Dermatological conditions

Primary lymphoedema

• No apparent sex predisposition
  
• Usually occurs within first 12 weeks of life

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001d)

Gastrointestinal conditions

Gastric dilatation–volvulus

• Breed at increased risk

(Burrows & Ignaszewski 1990)

Haematological/immunological conditions

Factor I deficiency

• Probably inherited as an autosomal recessive
  
• Mild signs in this breed

(Brooks 1999)

Neurological conditions

Cervical vertebral malformation (wobbler syndrome)

• Common condition in large and giant breeds
  
• Seen occasionally in this breed
  
• Heritability, nutrition and growth rate, body conformation and trauma are possible causes
  
• Evidence of autsomal recessive inheritance in this breed

(Olby 2003)

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

Ocular conditions

Micropapilla

• Congenital condition

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Multifocal chorioretinitis (Borzoi chorioretinopathy)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Reported in dogs age 7 months to 7 years
  
• Some reports suggest a male predisposition

(Storey et al. 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Multiple ocular defects

• Congenital, inheritance suspected
  
• Defectsmay include microphthalmia, cataract, multifocal retinal dysplasia and PPMs

(Rubin 1989)

Optic nerve hypoplasia

• Congenital; not known if inherited
  
• Uncommon condition seen occasionally in this breed

(ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Plasma cell infiltration of the nictitating membrane (plasmoma)

• Breed at increased risk

(Rubin 1989)

BOSTON TERRIER

Dermatological conditions

Atopy

• Common disease, affecting around 10% of canine population
  
• Birth in autumn or summer is a predisposing factor
  
• Dogs between 1 and 2 years of age have highest probability of an insurance claim for atopy
  
• Some studies show no sex predilection, others show females predisposed

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001h)

Calcinosis circumscripta

• Uncommon condition
  
• No sex predisposition
  
• Usually affects younger dogs (<2 years)
  
• This breed is predisposed to lesions on the cheek and at the base of the pinna

(Scott & Buerger 1988)

Generalized demodicosis

• Boston terriers are in the ten breeds at highest statistical risk of this disease in the Cornell, USA, population
  
• Common condition
  
• Younger dogs predisposed
  
• No sex predilection
  
• Susceptibility to generalized demodicosis may be inherited
  
• Incidence within breeds may vary depending on geographical location

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001b)

Intertrigo

• Tail fold intertrigo results from corkscrew tails

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001e)

Pattern baldness

• Usually affects females in this breed
  
• Gradual hair loss from 6 months of age
  
• Affects mainly the ventrum and caudomedial thighs

(Scott, Miller & Griffin 2001h)

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Endocrine conditions

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s syndrome)

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Median age: 10 years

(Feldman & Nelson 1996, Wood et al. 2007)

Gastrointestinal conditions

Antral pyloric hypertrophy (pyloric stenosis)

• Congenital condition in this breed
  
• Clinical presentation shortly after weaning or within first 6–12 months

(Hall 2000)

Cleft palate

• Congenital
  
• Probable autosomal recessive inheritance

(Edmonds, Stewart & Selby 1972, Sargan 2004)

Vascular ring anomaly

• Clinical presentation at time of weaning

(Van Grundy 1989)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Congenital elbow luxation

• Uncommon
  
• Humeroulnar luxation seen in this breed
  
• Occurs in first 3 months of life

(Robins & Innes 2006)

Hemivertebrae

• See under Neurological conditions

Patellar luxation

• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 4.2 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Perineal hernia

• Intact males predisposed
  
• Common condition

(Robertson 1984)

Sacrocaudal dysgenesis

• See under Neurological conditions

Neoplastic conditions

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 3.6 years (50% < 2 years)
  
• Mainly head, pinnae and limbs

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Scott, Miller & Griffin 1995, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Chemodectoma

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Older male dogs predisposed

(Owen, Bruvette & Lavton 1996)

Fibroma – cutaneous

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Mean age: 8.4 years

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Scott, Miller & Griffin 1995)

Mast cell tumours

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May be seen at any age (from 4 months onwards), but usually seen in older animals
  
• Predilection sites include hindlimb, perineum and scrotum

(Peters 1969, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000)

Melanoma – cutaneous

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 8.9 years

(Morris & Dobson 2001)

Pituitary tumour resulting in

hyperadrenocorticism

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• See under Endocrine conditions

(Wood et al. 2007)

Neurological conditions

Congenital deafness

• Prevalence in this breed not known
  
• Suspected to be inherited

(Strain 2004)

Hemivertebrae

• Congenital
  
• Uncommon

(Dewey 2003b)

Hydrocephalus

• Congenital
  
• Relatively common
  
• Genetic and environmental factors suspected
  
• Onset of signs: <3 months

(Inzana 2002)

Sacrocaudal dysgenesis

• Congenital
  
• Uncommon

(Srenk 2002)

Ocular conditions

Caruncular trichiasis

• Occurs with exophthalmos

(Rubin 1989)

Cataract – early onset

• Autosomal recessive inheritance. High overall incidence of cataracts in this breed (11.11% in one study)
  
• Age of onset: 8–10 weeks
  
• Localization: posterior suture lines and nucleus. Bilateral and rapidly progressive to completion by 2 years
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
  
• Genetic test available (AHT; VetGen) – see Appendix

(Rubin 1989, Adkins & Hendrix 2005, Gelatt & Mackay 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Mellersch et al. 2007)

Cataract – late onset

• Inheritance suspected. High overall incidence of cataracts in this breed (11.11% in one study)
  
• Age of onset: 4–5 years
  
• Localization: equator and anterior cortex. Progression variable
  
• Schedule A of the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme

(Rubin 1989, Adkins & Henderix 2005, Gelatt & Mackay 2005, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Mellersch et al. 2007)

Corneal dystrophy

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Endothelial dystrophywith progressive corneal oedema
  
• Age of onset: 5–9 years

(Rubin 1989, Cooley & Dice 1990, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Glaucoma (primary)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Glaucoma secondary to cataracts and vitreal syneresis also seen

(Rubin 1989, Gelatt & Mackay 2004a, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

• Breed at increased risk

(Kaswan & Salisbury 1990)

Prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane (‘cherry eye’)

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Usually presents in the first 1–2 years of life

(Rubin 1989)

Spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (refractory corneal ulceration, indolent ulcers)

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Age of onset: 6–8 years

(Rubin 1989)

Uveal cysts (see plate 2 in the colour plate section)

• Breed at increased risk
  
• Mean age: 6.8 years in one study

(Rubin 1989, Corcoran & Koch 1993)

Vitreal syneresis

• Breed at increased risk
  
• May be seen from 3 years of age
  
• Vitreal degeneration results in strands of vitreous extending into the anterior chamber predisposing to glaucoma and cataracts

(Rubin 1989)

Physiological conditions

Pelger–Huet anomaly

• Decreased segmentation of granulocyte nuclei is seen
  
• Does not appear to be clinically significant

(Day 2002)

Renal and urinary conditions

Hypospadias

• Rare congenital defect with a higher incidence in this breed suggesting a possible genetic basis
  
• Predominantly affects male dogs

(Hayes &Wilson 1986)

Urethral prolapse

• Rare condition seen relatively more frequently in this breed
  
• Generally seen in male dogs at 4 months to 5 years of age

(Osborne & Finco 1995)

Reproductive conditions

Dystocia

• Breed predisposition to obstructive dystocia due to dorsoventrally flattenedmaternal pelvic canal and large foetuses with large heads

(Feldman & Nelson 1996, Eneroth et al. 1999, Johnson et al. 2001)

Hypospadias

• See under Renal and urinary conditions

Urethral prolapse

• See under Renal and urinary conditions

Respiratory conditions

Brachycephalic upper airway syndrome

• Complex of anatomical deformities
  
• Common in this breed
  
• Hypoplastic trachea common in this breed
  
• Likely a consequence of selective breeding for certain facial characteristics
  
• Most commonly present with clinical signs aged 1–4 years

(Seim 2001, Riecks, Birchard & Stephens 2007)

BOUVIER DES FLANDRES

Dermatological conditions

Skin tumours

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Gastrointestinal conditions

Muscular dystrophy of pharyngeal and oesophageal muscles causing dysphagia

• Familial
  
• See also Musculoskeletal conditions

(Peeters & Ubbink 1994, Sargan 2004)

Musculoskeletal conditions

Elbow dysplasia

• Fragmented coronoid process (odds ratio of 19.5 compared to mixed breeds) seen in this breed
  
• Common cause of forelimb lameness

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Hip dysplasia

• Common condition
  
• Neutered male dogs predisposed
  
• Odds ratio 4.1 (compared to mixed breeds)

(LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Muscular dystrophy

• Primary myopathy affecting the muscles of swallowing
  
• Limb muscles not affected
  
• Uncommon condition
  
• See also under Gastrointestinal conditions

(Peeters & Ubbink 1994)

Shoulder osteochondrosis

• Males predisposed
  
• Age of onset usually 4–7 months, but can be older
  
• Common condition
  
• Odds ratio 12.1 (compared to mixed breeds)

(Rudd,Whitehair & Margolis 1990, LaFond, Breur & Austin 2002)

Neoplastic conditions

Pilomatrixoma

• Breed at risk in case series
  
• Mean age: 6.6 years
  
• Uncommon (1% of all cutaneous neoplasms in the dog)

(Goldschmidt & Shofer 1992, Goldschmidt & Mcmanus 2000, Toma & Noli 2005)

Prostatic carcinoma

• Breed at increased risk in case series
  
• Older dogs affected
  
• Some studies suggest an increased risk in castrated dogs

(Teske et al. 2002a)

Ocular conditions

Cataract

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Posterior cortical cataracts have been seen in dogs aged 3 months to 1 year
  
• Posterior subcapsular cataracts have been seen in older dogs (5 years)

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Entropion

• Polygenic inheritance suspected
  
• Severe, affecting entire lower lid

(Rubin 1989, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Glaucoma (primary)

• Inheritance suspected
  
• Goniodysgenesis common

(van der Linde-Sipman 1987, Rubin 1989, Gelatt & Mackay 2004a, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007, Gelatt 2007)

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

(PHPV)

• Congenital, inheritance suspected
  
• Associated with retinal dysplasia, optic nerve hypoplasia, lenticonus, cataract and congenital blindness in this breed

(Van Rensberg, Van der Lagt & Smit 1992, ACVO Genetics Committee 2007)

Reproductive conditions

Prostatic carcinoma

• See under Neoplastic conditions

Respiratory conditions

Laryngeal paralysis

• Neurogenic and hereditary in this breed

(Harvey 1989, O’Brien 1975)

BOXER

Cardiovascular conditions

Aortic stenosis

• Common congenital disease
  
• Relative risk 9.3
  
• Males strongly predisposed in this breed
  
• Particular prevalence in this breed in Scotland
  
• Inheritance possibly autosomal dominantwith modifying genes, or polygenic

(Darke 1989, Chetboul et al. 2006)

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (see figure 2)

• Aka boxer cardiomyopathy
  
• Common in this breed
  
• Familial and thought to be inherited
  
• Associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death
  
• Genetic test available (Washington State University) – see Appendix

(Basso et al. 2004)

Figure 2 ECG showing paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia due to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a Boxer.

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join