Post by trinitydobes on Aug 13, 2011 14:41:54 GMT -5
Health Issues in the Doberman
There are several health issues/conditions have been identified in the Doberman Pinscher. Items marked with asterisks (***) can be identified through testing. Screening tests are not currently available for the other conditions listed. It is important to know the status before breeding a dog or bitch - clinically affected dogs, dogs exhibiting symptoms for any of these conditions should NOT be bred..
The text below is intended as an aid to those seeking health information and should not be used to form a diagnosis replacing regular veterinary care by one's own Veterinarian.
***CARDIOMYOPATHY - is suspected to be an inherited disease in Dobermans. Research is in progress in several institutions. An echocardiogram of the heart will confirm the disease but WILL not guarantee that the disease will not develop in the future. A 24 hour holter will record Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs. Drs Meurs' and Estrada's Cardiomyopathy presentations at the 2010 National can be viewed online at UStream.
www.ustream.tv/user/DPCA/shows
***HIP DYSPLASIA - is inherited. It may vary from slightly poor conformation to malformation of the hip joint allowing complete luxation of the femoral head. Both parents' hips should be Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) certified - excellent, good or fair rating. There are other hip labs that are qualified to certify hips. Click here for more info.
***HYPOTHYROIDISM - is probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog's metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. Thyroid testing (T3, T4, TSH and autoantibodies) should be performed on an annual schedule. Finding autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (T4 autoantibodies) is an indication that the dog has "Hashimoto's Disease". Low thyroid dogs, manifested by a high TSH and a low T4, should be treated and monitored on a regular basis..
***vWd (VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE) - is an autosomally (not sex linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. Von Willebrand's factor antigens of 70% 180% are considered to be within the normal range for Dobermans. When dogs are tested through the Elisa assay blood test for vWD, they are tested for carrier status only NOT the disease. It is believed that carrier status tests (Elisa assay) are inaccurate if a dog is ill, received any medication or vaccination within 14 days of testing, pregnancy, bitches in heat or lactation. Stress conditions (infections, parasites, hormonal changes, trauma, surgery, emotional upset, etc.) may have an effect on the outcome of the vWD blood test and might be a contributing factor for bleeding tendencies. vWD carrier status is quite common in Dobermans. A DNA test for vWD is now available - genetically: clear, carrier (inherited one disease gene), affected (inherited two disease genes) - results are not effected by stress conditions, etc. Learn about DNA labs here..
WOBBLER'S SYNDROME - is suspected to be an inherited condition in Dobermans. Dogs suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind or all 4). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and in some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified..
***PRA (PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY) - is an inherited condition in Dobermans. Clinically, visual acuity is diminished, first at dusk, later in daylight. The disease progresses over months or years, to complete blindness. A screening test is available and can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) will certify eyes for 12 months from the date of evaluation..
***Chronic active hepatitis (CAH), Doberman hepatitits (DH) is a yet relatively unknown liver disease with dramatical consequences for the Dobermann. The disease was first discovered by us in Finland at the end of the 70s. Articles in medical journals began appearing in the beginning of the 80s in the USA. As there is too much copper in the liver, the condition has been also called copper toxicosis. Other names used for DH are chronic hepatitis and doberman hepatitis. The symptoms are so typical of DH patients that they caught the eyes of the Finnish Dobermann breeders in the 80s. This led to the beginning of an erradication program. This disease is recognized worldwide as data has been published at least in USA, Finland, Holland, Sweden, Germany, England, Australia. Signs The disease is most likely to affect a female aged four to six years. Males develop DH more seldomly. The initial symptom, though often neglected, is polydipsia (heavy drinking). The dog may eat a lot of snow during the winter and tends to seek some other sources of water, besides its own cup. Heavy drinking may only be temporary or intermittant. When the condition progresses further, a poor apetite vomiting and weight loss soon follow. As the disease advances, the mucous membranes start to turn yellowish. This is most apparent in the eyeballs (sclera), the gums and on the skin in areas where hair is scarce such as the ears and the inguinal region. This stage is called icterus and is typical of any liver condition.because bilirubins (bile pigments) accumulate in the blood stream and tissues due to the liver dysfunction. Weight loss becomes accelerated and the dog develops free fluids in the abdomen, often so much that it looks like a puppy that has just eaten a huge dinner. The only differences in the appearance are the pronounced ribs and spine. The dog is tired and lethargic, although not entirely incapable of running and playing if required, as Dobermanns always like to do.
GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULUS (GDV or Bloat) - swelling of the stomach from gas, fluid, or both causing the stomach to twist on its axis. Bloat is an emergency, life-threatening situation and requires IMMEDIATE medical attention. Death can ensue quickly. Bloat is most often seen in deep-chested dogs, like the Doberman. Although the exact cause is not known, it commonly occurs in dogs who eat large quantities of dry food, exercise vigorously after eating, and/or drink large amounts of water after eating. Some possible ways to reduce the risk of bloat include: wet dry food with warm water allow it to expand and soften before feeding; reduce exercise by crating or keeping the dog calm for one hour before and after each meal; lessen the quantities of food given at a single time (i.e. instead of one large meal, feed two smaller meals per day).
COLOR DILUTION ALOPECIA (CDA) - is a hereditary disease most often seen in blue- or fawn-coated Dobermans. These Dobes are born with a healthy hair coat but, usually beginning in adolescence to early adulthood, the coat may become thin, brittle, patchy and dry, resulting in permanent partial coat loss. CDA is not so much a health issue as it is an issue of esthetics.
ALBINISM - "white coated" and "white factored" Dobermans should NOT be bred. These dogs are *TYROSINASE POSITIVE ALBINOS*. In 1996, the AKC established a tracking system (the letter "Z" will be part of the registration number) allowing breeders to identify the normal colored Dobermans which may carry the albinistic gene. A list with all dogs tracing back to Shebah's (the first Albino Doberman registered) parents is available here. All breeders should require an AKC certified pedigree with colors to check that "white coated" and "white factored" dogs are not present in the pedigree of the dog or bitch to be bred.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Posted by Bitten
*** PRA (PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY) - is an inherited condition in Dobermans. Clinically, visual acuity is diminished, first at dusk, later in daylight. The disease progresses over months or years, to complete blindness. A screening test is available and can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) will certify eyes for 12 months from the date of evaluation..
<--
the following eye diseases should also be mentioned.
- PHTVL/PHPV
- RD
these can also be screaned for.
For all the above eye diseases the heritage is known:
PRA = recessive heritage
PHTVL/PHPV = dominant with variation of penetrance
RD = recessive
In other words, when screaninf your dog fro possible eye diseases, ALL the above must be included.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
SPONDILOUSES
When speaking of spinal problems within the breed, it's evident from the historical data that SPONDILOUSES also seems to be a severe problem.
Spondilouses => the spine of the back "grow" together - chalk up so to speak, and make the back stiff - a very painfull situation for the dog, as it inflickt on each and every move the dog might make.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
Also connected to spinal problems is:
EQUINA CAUDA
this problem also seems evident through the breed historical data.
Equina Cauda => is a structure within the lower end of the spinal column of most vertebrates, that consists of nerve roots and rootlets from above. The space in which the cerebrospinal fluid is present is actually an extension of the subarachnoid space. Also refered to a "lumbar problem" and can in some cases be confused with hip related problems IF not examen by a vet / specialist within spinal problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
*** HYPOTHYROIDISM - is probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog's metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. Thyroid testing (T3, T4, TSH and autoantibodies) should be performed on an annual schedule. Finding autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (T4 autoantibodies) is an indication that the dog has "Hashimoto's Disease". Low thyroid dogs, manifested by a high TSH and a low T4, should be treated and monitored on a regular basis..
<--
There has recently been conducted genetic research into this immune system problem which we know as a thyroid problem - the findings have shown 4 genes, which might cause this problem BUT there's a complexity connected to these findings.
A dog might test positive to a clinical test, but at the same time might never develope thyroid / immune problem - why ... from the seminar I attended, and as far as I understood - the genes which cause this problem, not only have to be present, but also must be placed in a certain order for the problem to be clinical.
Research conducted by: Dr. Lorna Kennedy and speaker at the seminar I attended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
In regard to vWD:
A valid source within the science world, has informed me, that additional research is taken place - this research is focused on the affected dogs, and why some dogs become symptomatic and some do not.
When testing your dog today, you can obtain either the result clear, carrier or affected - but it has in all these years this test has been available, never been possible to define "sympotomatic" dogs. I truly hope this research will come up with some definitive answers, so "affected" dogs are not all looked down at and being thrown away - as some of these dogs might have better overall genetic heritage than a clear or a carrier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
In regard to DCM:
Aside from what has already been posted, there are some additional choises - these are named biomarker tests. Of these, the follwoing are available:
- cTn1
- NT-BNP
both through bloodtests. These tests will give indication of the individuals overall situation, but not of the possible offspring, but at least a form of security in regard to the dog itself. Sampling can take place at your personal vet, who then will have to send of the sample for examination at a lab
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
In regard to Wobbler Syndrome.
As we speak a new research into the genetic disposition of wobbler syndrome is being conducted. It's fairly new, but again I truly hope, that the outcome of this research will be beneficiary to the breed.
There are several health issues/conditions have been identified in the Doberman Pinscher. Items marked with asterisks (***) can be identified through testing. Screening tests are not currently available for the other conditions listed. It is important to know the status before breeding a dog or bitch - clinically affected dogs, dogs exhibiting symptoms for any of these conditions should NOT be bred..
The text below is intended as an aid to those seeking health information and should not be used to form a diagnosis replacing regular veterinary care by one's own Veterinarian.
***CARDIOMYOPATHY - is suspected to be an inherited disease in Dobermans. Research is in progress in several institutions. An echocardiogram of the heart will confirm the disease but WILL not guarantee that the disease will not develop in the future. A 24 hour holter will record Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs. Drs Meurs' and Estrada's Cardiomyopathy presentations at the 2010 National can be viewed online at UStream.
www.ustream.tv/user/DPCA/shows
***HIP DYSPLASIA - is inherited. It may vary from slightly poor conformation to malformation of the hip joint allowing complete luxation of the femoral head. Both parents' hips should be Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) certified - excellent, good or fair rating. There are other hip labs that are qualified to certify hips. Click here for more info.
***HYPOTHYROIDISM - is probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog's metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. Thyroid testing (T3, T4, TSH and autoantibodies) should be performed on an annual schedule. Finding autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (T4 autoantibodies) is an indication that the dog has "Hashimoto's Disease". Low thyroid dogs, manifested by a high TSH and a low T4, should be treated and monitored on a regular basis..
***vWd (VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE) - is an autosomally (not sex linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. Von Willebrand's factor antigens of 70% 180% are considered to be within the normal range for Dobermans. When dogs are tested through the Elisa assay blood test for vWD, they are tested for carrier status only NOT the disease. It is believed that carrier status tests (Elisa assay) are inaccurate if a dog is ill, received any medication or vaccination within 14 days of testing, pregnancy, bitches in heat or lactation. Stress conditions (infections, parasites, hormonal changes, trauma, surgery, emotional upset, etc.) may have an effect on the outcome of the vWD blood test and might be a contributing factor for bleeding tendencies. vWD carrier status is quite common in Dobermans. A DNA test for vWD is now available - genetically: clear, carrier (inherited one disease gene), affected (inherited two disease genes) - results are not effected by stress conditions, etc. Learn about DNA labs here..
WOBBLER'S SYNDROME - is suspected to be an inherited condition in Dobermans. Dogs suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind or all 4). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and in some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified..
***PRA (PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY) - is an inherited condition in Dobermans. Clinically, visual acuity is diminished, first at dusk, later in daylight. The disease progresses over months or years, to complete blindness. A screening test is available and can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) will certify eyes for 12 months from the date of evaluation..
***Chronic active hepatitis (CAH), Doberman hepatitits (DH) is a yet relatively unknown liver disease with dramatical consequences for the Dobermann. The disease was first discovered by us in Finland at the end of the 70s. Articles in medical journals began appearing in the beginning of the 80s in the USA. As there is too much copper in the liver, the condition has been also called copper toxicosis. Other names used for DH are chronic hepatitis and doberman hepatitis. The symptoms are so typical of DH patients that they caught the eyes of the Finnish Dobermann breeders in the 80s. This led to the beginning of an erradication program. This disease is recognized worldwide as data has been published at least in USA, Finland, Holland, Sweden, Germany, England, Australia. Signs The disease is most likely to affect a female aged four to six years. Males develop DH more seldomly. The initial symptom, though often neglected, is polydipsia (heavy drinking). The dog may eat a lot of snow during the winter and tends to seek some other sources of water, besides its own cup. Heavy drinking may only be temporary or intermittant. When the condition progresses further, a poor apetite vomiting and weight loss soon follow. As the disease advances, the mucous membranes start to turn yellowish. This is most apparent in the eyeballs (sclera), the gums and on the skin in areas where hair is scarce such as the ears and the inguinal region. This stage is called icterus and is typical of any liver condition.because bilirubins (bile pigments) accumulate in the blood stream and tissues due to the liver dysfunction. Weight loss becomes accelerated and the dog develops free fluids in the abdomen, often so much that it looks like a puppy that has just eaten a huge dinner. The only differences in the appearance are the pronounced ribs and spine. The dog is tired and lethargic, although not entirely incapable of running and playing if required, as Dobermanns always like to do.
GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULUS (GDV or Bloat) - swelling of the stomach from gas, fluid, or both causing the stomach to twist on its axis. Bloat is an emergency, life-threatening situation and requires IMMEDIATE medical attention. Death can ensue quickly. Bloat is most often seen in deep-chested dogs, like the Doberman. Although the exact cause is not known, it commonly occurs in dogs who eat large quantities of dry food, exercise vigorously after eating, and/or drink large amounts of water after eating. Some possible ways to reduce the risk of bloat include: wet dry food with warm water allow it to expand and soften before feeding; reduce exercise by crating or keeping the dog calm for one hour before and after each meal; lessen the quantities of food given at a single time (i.e. instead of one large meal, feed two smaller meals per day).
COLOR DILUTION ALOPECIA (CDA) - is a hereditary disease most often seen in blue- or fawn-coated Dobermans. These Dobes are born with a healthy hair coat but, usually beginning in adolescence to early adulthood, the coat may become thin, brittle, patchy and dry, resulting in permanent partial coat loss. CDA is not so much a health issue as it is an issue of esthetics.
ALBINISM - "white coated" and "white factored" Dobermans should NOT be bred. These dogs are *TYROSINASE POSITIVE ALBINOS*. In 1996, the AKC established a tracking system (the letter "Z" will be part of the registration number) allowing breeders to identify the normal colored Dobermans which may carry the albinistic gene. A list with all dogs tracing back to Shebah's (the first Albino Doberman registered) parents is available here. All breeders should require an AKC certified pedigree with colors to check that "white coated" and "white factored" dogs are not present in the pedigree of the dog or bitch to be bred.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Posted by Bitten
*** PRA (PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY) - is an inherited condition in Dobermans. Clinically, visual acuity is diminished, first at dusk, later in daylight. The disease progresses over months or years, to complete blindness. A screening test is available and can be performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) will certify eyes for 12 months from the date of evaluation..
<--
the following eye diseases should also be mentioned.
- PHTVL/PHPV
- RD
these can also be screaned for.
For all the above eye diseases the heritage is known:
PRA = recessive heritage
PHTVL/PHPV = dominant with variation of penetrance
RD = recessive
In other words, when screaninf your dog fro possible eye diseases, ALL the above must be included.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
SPONDILOUSES
When speaking of spinal problems within the breed, it's evident from the historical data that SPONDILOUSES also seems to be a severe problem.
Spondilouses => the spine of the back "grow" together - chalk up so to speak, and make the back stiff - a very painfull situation for the dog, as it inflickt on each and every move the dog might make.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
Also connected to spinal problems is:
EQUINA CAUDA
this problem also seems evident through the breed historical data.
Equina Cauda => is a structure within the lower end of the spinal column of most vertebrates, that consists of nerve roots and rootlets from above. The space in which the cerebrospinal fluid is present is actually an extension of the subarachnoid space. Also refered to a "lumbar problem" and can in some cases be confused with hip related problems IF not examen by a vet / specialist within spinal problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
*** HYPOTHYROIDISM - is probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog's metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. Thyroid testing (T3, T4, TSH and autoantibodies) should be performed on an annual schedule. Finding autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (T4 autoantibodies) is an indication that the dog has "Hashimoto's Disease". Low thyroid dogs, manifested by a high TSH and a low T4, should be treated and monitored on a regular basis..
<--
There has recently been conducted genetic research into this immune system problem which we know as a thyroid problem - the findings have shown 4 genes, which might cause this problem BUT there's a complexity connected to these findings.
A dog might test positive to a clinical test, but at the same time might never develope thyroid / immune problem - why ... from the seminar I attended, and as far as I understood - the genes which cause this problem, not only have to be present, but also must be placed in a certain order for the problem to be clinical.
Research conducted by: Dr. Lorna Kennedy and speaker at the seminar I attended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
In regard to vWD:
A valid source within the science world, has informed me, that additional research is taken place - this research is focused on the affected dogs, and why some dogs become symptomatic and some do not.
When testing your dog today, you can obtain either the result clear, carrier or affected - but it has in all these years this test has been available, never been possible to define "sympotomatic" dogs. I truly hope this research will come up with some definitive answers, so "affected" dogs are not all looked down at and being thrown away - as some of these dogs might have better overall genetic heritage than a clear or a carrier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
In regard to DCM:
Aside from what has already been posted, there are some additional choises - these are named biomarker tests. Of these, the follwoing are available:
- cTn1
- NT-BNP
both through bloodtests. These tests will give indication of the individuals overall situation, but not of the possible offspring, but at least a form of security in regard to the dog itself. Sampling can take place at your personal vet, who then will have to send of the sample for examination at a lab
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by Bitten
In regard to Wobbler Syndrome.
As we speak a new research into the genetic disposition of wobbler syndrome is being conducted. It's fairly new, but again I truly hope, that the outcome of this research will be beneficiary to the breed.
