Common genetic diseases in purebred dogs that pet owners must know

In the breeding of purebred dogs, people improperly use inbred and defective dogs for breeding in order to preserve the cute appearance of dogs, resulting in genetic defective genes in the purebred dog population, and they are more susceptible to congenital diseases. Most congenital diseases can be cured through medication or surgery, but some serious diseases can only be slowed down by careful care from the owner, regulating diet and lifestyle, and taking long-term medication. Understanding common genetic diseases in dogs and understanding their physical condition will help you intervene in the disease early and reduce the occurrence of health problems. Gogo Herbs introduces the congenital diseases that purebred dogs are prone to and the special care they need.

Common organ genetic diseases in purebred dogs

Genetic heart disease

Congenital heart disease in dogs is mainly divided into three categories: chronic valvular heart disease, valvular heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy, which affect the dog's body blood supply. When a dog's vital organs suffer from long-term ischemia, it will eventually lead to heart failure. Small and very small breeds of dogs are more likely to develop heart disease, and the risk of heart disease increases as dogs age. Dogs with heart disease often cough and wheeze for long periods of time, and symptoms are more severe after exercise. At the same time, the dog's energy, curiosity and activity will decrease, and it may even suddenly faint. There is currently no cure for hereditary heart disease. It is necessary to grasp the timing of medication and control the disease in time to prolong the dog's life and improve their quality of life.

Susceptible Small and Very Small Dogs: Common

Susceptible medium-sized dogs: Samoyed

Large dogs susceptible to the disease: Boxer, Doberman

Dog care advice: It is recommended that dogs over five years old go to the veterinary hospital for a stethoscope examination every six months. If your dog shows symptoms related to heart disease, please record the dog's breathing and heart rate per minute, and take the dog for further examination and confirmation such as X-ray, cardiac ultrasound, and electrocardiogram. After a dog is diagnosed with heart disease, it must avoid stimulation and high-intensity exercise, take medication on time as directed by the doctor, and have regular follow-up visits to follow up on the effectiveness of the medication.

Hereditary pancreatitis

The onset of pancreatitis is related to factors such as genes, obesity, and excessive body fat. Acute pancreatitis may cause a variety of complications, such as shock, peritonitis, sepsis, jaundice, hypocalcemia, and difficulty breathing. Sick dogs will show symptoms such as loss of appetite, frequent vomiting within a day, unformed stools, and severe pain in the anterior abdomen. The following small dogs are high-risk breeds for pancreatitis. Fortunately, through timely symptomatic treatment, acute pancreatitis can basically be cured.

Small dogs most susceptible: Cocker Spaniel, Miniature Schnauzer, Toy Poodle, Dachshund

Dog care advice: For this type of dog, the owner should try to choose high-quality lean meat when feeding meat, and control the meal size according to the dog's weight to avoid increasing the burden on pancreatic digestion. If the dog is obese, you should help it lose weight gradually. You can choose to add prebiotic formula to the main food to help the dog digest better.

Common genetic diseases of facial features in purebred dogs

Congenital eye disease

Congenital eye diseases are also common in small breed dogs, which can affect the dog's vision and even cause blindness. Some congenital eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy, cannot be cured at present and can only be slowed down by medication. As for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, uveitis, supernumerary eyelashes, and eyelid hyperplasia, better treatment effects can be achieved through medication and surgery, greatly reducing the risk of blindness in your dog. Shepherd dogs carry a recessive gene that may cause incomplete development of the retina, sclera, choroid, and optic disc in both eyes. The disease may manifest as no symptoms or bilateral blindness. There is currently no ideal treatment for this disease.

Susceptible Small and Very Small Dogs: Common

Medium-sized dogs susceptible: Shepherd dog (congenital eye abnormality)

Large dogs susceptible to the disease: Labrador, Akita (progressive retinal atrophy)

Dog care tips: Anthocyanins, carotene, and Omega-3 can help slow down the degeneration of a dog's eyes. Older dogs over 7 years old, in particular, need to be supplemented with foods or health products rich in these nutrients.

Common respiratory genetic diseases in purebred dogs

tracheal collapse

Tracheal collapse is a more dangerous inherited respiratory disease that is more common in small and very small dogs. A collapsed trachea can impede ventilation and even completely block the upper airway, causing the dog to suffocate due to lack of oxygen. Dogs with tracheal collapse are very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. When the seasons change or the temperature difference is large, they are prone to wheezing, making goose-like noises when breathing, purple mouth and tongue, and even fainting.

Very small dogs that are susceptible to the disease: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Papillon, Pomeranian

Small dogs at risk: Toy Poodle

Dog care advice: When caring for this type of dog, pay attention to keeping it warm and dissipating heat, and do not wear a collar that compresses the trachea. Young dogs may consider surgery to insert a tracheal stent. Dogs should be given nutritional supplements on a daily basis, and important Chinese herbal medicine can also be used to regulate their health. Chinese medicinal herbs such as Cordyceps and Ganoderma lucidum can help strengthen a dog's cardiopulmonary function, improve its immunity, and prevent tracheal collapse.

Canine Obstructive Airway Syndrome

The short-nosed dog's skull is retracted at the back, which compresses the respiratory tract. In addition, the nostrils are narrow and the tongue is thick. The special head structure will hinder airflow. Obstructive airway syndrome is very common in "flat-nosed dogs". Brachycan Obstructive Airway Syndrome can cause dogs to have difficulty breathing, breathe with their mouths open, have poor heat dissipation ability, and are prone to heat stroke. It can also cause a series of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems and diseases related to hypoxia.

Small dogs at risk: Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Pug, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog

Susceptible medium-sized dogs: English bulldog

Large dogs susceptible to the disease: Boxer

Dog care advice: Owners should place their dogs in a ventilated and cool environment, and never place them in a small, blocked space. In the hot summer, owners should avoid taking their dogs out during the day. When feeding, you should not give large pieces of food, and when feeding water, you should also pay attention to giving small sips of water to avoid choking. If your dog often has labored breathing, you may consider surgical treatment by removing soft tissue and expanding the nostrils.

Common genetic bone diseases in purebred dogs

Congenital chondrodysplasia

Dogs born with incomplete organ cartilage structure have less cartilage tissue covering their bones, fragile bones, and lack of support in their joints, making them more likely to suffer fractures when they fall or are hit. Affected dogs are also at greater risk for developing collapsed trachea and herniated disks.

Very small dogs that are susceptible to the disease: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Papillon, Pomeranian

Small dogs at risk: Toy poodle, miniature schnauzer

Dog care tips: When caring for a sick dog, keep furniture and items in the home flat to prevent the dog from climbing up and falling and breaking bones. When taking your dog out, avoid letting it run for long periods of time or play vigorously with its friends, and do not let it bounce up and down the stairs.

Intervertebral disc disease

The intervertebral disc is a fibrous cartilage disk that connects two vertebrae and provides cushioning and protection when the spine bends. When a dog's intervertebral disc is ruptured or herniated, movement of its cervical or thoracic and lumbar vertebrae is obstructed, causing pain during movement. If the owner finds that the dog has a stiff neck, is unwilling to raise its head, has uncoordinated body movements, has an arched back, has difficulty walking, running and jumping, and drags its hind legs, there may be a problem with the intervertebral disc.

Very small dogs that are susceptible to diseases: Papillon

Small dogs at risk: Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Corgi, Dachshund

Dog care advice: Intervertebral disc herniation is irreversible. If your dog is a high-risk breed, you must take adequate preventive measures. Do not allow your dog to jump on or off the sofa, and do not allow your dog to go up and down stairs. When going out, you should try to shorten the dog's walking time and prevent the dog from running and jumping excessively. When holding a dog, you should use your arms to support the dog's abdomen and chest to reduce the pull or pressure on the lumbar spine. For dogs with long bodies and short legs, hind limb standing training can easily cause intervertebral disc injuries, so owners should not try it.

Elbow and hip dysplasia

Elbow and hip dysplasia is common in large dog breeds. It is a congenital cause of unsteady gait and lameness in the dog's front and hind limbs. If not treated in time, it may lead to degenerative arthritis and even disability.

Small dogs that are susceptible to the disease: Pug, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Corgi

Large dogs that are susceptible: Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees

Dog care advice: Most dogs will not show symptoms until they are six months old, and relevant examinations can be arranged when the dog is 3-4 months old. Drug treatment is generally used in the early stages, and appropriate supplementation of glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen can help repair joints and relieve swelling and pain. The affected limb of the dog may cause muscle atrophy, further affecting the dog's movement. The owner needs to guide the dog to train muscle strength. When training, you should choose a surface with good friction, such as grass, carpet, and puzzle tiles. You can do simple training such as sitting down and standing up, walking with your legs raised, and crossing obstacles. The disease can be treated through surgery in the later stages. Most dogs recover well after surgery and have a lively and happy life.

Common endocrine genetic diseases in purebred dogs

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disease in dogs. Due to insufficient secretion of thyroid hormone in the body, it may cause the dog's heart rate to slow down, digestive function to decline, and anemia. Dogs with hypothyroidism may become listless, have low exercise tolerance, loss of appetite, weight gain, dry fur, hair loss, bacterial and parasitic infections. Hypothyroidism may also affect the functions of multiple organs.

Very small dogs that are susceptible to the disease: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese

Small dogs that are susceptible to the disease: Shih Tzu, Corgi, Shiba Inu, Beagle

Medium-sized dogs susceptible to the disease: Huskies, Shepherds

Large dogs susceptible to the disease: Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher

Dog care advice: Hypothyroidism usually occurs at the age of seven. If your older pet becomes less active, sleeps more, is slow to react, and exhibits the above symptoms, you should take your pet to the veterinary hospital for a blood test. Hypothyroidism requires long-term medication treatment, regular check-ups and tracking of hormone levels in the dog's blood, and adjustment of medication dosage. The dog's fur condition will be significantly improved after medication.

Diabetes mellitus

Congenital diabetes is another common endocrine disease in dogs. Dogs suffering from the disease will show symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite but weight loss, irritability, and mental depression. However, since there are many reasons for these symptoms, it is usually not until the end of diabetes that the dog develops vision problems and the owner pays attention to it and takes the dog to the doctor, delaying treatment. If diabetes is not treated systematically in time, it may develop into ketoacidemia, complicated by renal failure, leading to coma or death.

Small dogs most susceptible: Miniature Schnauzer, Dachshund, Toy Poodle

Medium-sized dogs susceptible to the disease: Samoyed, Husky, Chow Chow

Large dogs at risk: Labrador, Golden Retriever

Dog care advice: Dogs with diabetes need to monitor blood sugar changes daily and insist on using insulin treatment. Pay attention to nutritional supply and regular eating in your diet, choose high-protein, low-fat foods, and supplement with a variety of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. In addition, you need to scientifically arrange your dog's daily food intake and feed him on time to ensure the effectiveness of insulin medication. The use of canine insulin can effectively control diabetes. Owners should also take their dogs for exercise. For dogs without joint and bone diseases, it is recommended to walk briskly for 5-10 km every day.

In addition to the common genetic diseases mentioned above, some genetic diseases are accompanied by obvious symptoms, such as diarrhea, shaking, uncoordinated movements, difficulty breathing and sudden weight loss. These are signs of abnormal health and owners need to pay attention and take their dogs to the doctor in time. Before getting a dog, every owner must understand the diseases that the dog may suffer from, make a careful decision, and be prepared to take care of the dog throughout its life. Gogo Herbs is committed to researching scientific pet breeding programs. We carefully select healthy and effective pet products to prevent diseases for pets and improve their quality of life. For example, Hill's™ Pet Food Adult Dog Low-Calorie Diet Formula uses high-quality protein and natural fiber to provide a full sense of fullness. In addition, L-carnitine is added to help control calorie intake in the long term. Hill's Pet Food Perfect Weight Chicken Special Recipe is specially formulated for small and miniature dogs and is clinically proven to help dogs lose weight significantly and safely within 10 weeks while maintaining lean muscle. Gogo Herbs' professional nutritionist and veterinary team will continue to protect your pet's health. If you want to know the health care plan suitable for your pet, please contact us via Whatsapp +852 5483 0695.