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Breed Predispositions to Orthopedic Problems
Are purebred dogs at greater risk of developing orthopedic problems than mixed-breed dogs? Orthopedic problems can affect dogs of any breed or mix. Orthopedic disease and other genetic problems should be strongly considered when animals are to be bred, including problems with the dogs in their pedigrees and dogs produced by close relatives. If a breeder cannot tell you anything about a puppy's grandparents or half-siblings, you should question the breeder's depth of knowledge.
Purebred dogs have been studied a great deal,mixes generally have not. Generally speaking, large and giant dogs experience a higher incidence of growth-related lameness as well as hip dysplasia. Heavy, large-boned dogs commonly stress the joints, traumatizing the joint structures. Rottweilers and Labrador Retrievers are prome candidates for rupturing cruciate ligaments in the knee. Small dogs are prone to problems in the knees; medium-sized dogs have the fewest incidences of orthopedic disease, but any dog can be affected.
In the following list of breeds, some breeds were omitted because data has not been reported about those dogs. The may be helpful to breeders in selecting breeding pairs, and to puppy buyers in selecting a pet. Prevention is the best cure for disease, but early detection provides the greatest number of treatment options.
SPORTING DOGS
- Brittany
Patellar luxation; Hip dysplasia
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia
- Clumber Spaniel
Hip dysplasia
- Cocker Spaniel
Hip dysplasia; Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVD);Patellar luxation; Elbow dysplasia; Anury (no tail, no caudal vertebrae); Brachury (short tail)
- Curly-Coated Retriever
Thyroid disorders; calcium metabolic disorders; Juvenile osteoporosis;
- English Cocker Spaniel
swimmers syndrome (the inability to stand at four to six weeks of age)
- English Setter
Hip dysplasia; Neoplasias
- Field Spaniel
Thyroid disorders; Hip dysplasia
- Flat-Coated Retriever
Hip dysplasia; Patellar luxation; Neoplasias;
- Gordon Setter
Thyroid disorders; Hip dysplasia;
- Golden Retriever
Hip dysplasia (very high incidence); Elbow dysplasia; OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) of elbow; Muscular dystrophy; Thyroid disorders; Neoplasias;
- Irish Setter
eneralized myopathy (stiff gait and other difficulties); Carpal (pastern) luxation; OCD (especially in the knees and shoulders); Metabolic bone disease; Neoplasias; Thyroid disorders; Hip dysplasia;
- Irish Water Spaniel
Hip dysplasia;
- Labrador Retriever
Carpal (pastern) luxation associated with Hemophilia A; Dwarfism associated with retinal dysplasia; Muscle mass deficiency; deficiency of type II muscle fibers; Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia; Muscular dystrophy; Thyroid disorders
- Pointer
Neurotropic osteopathy; Low sensitivity in distal limbs; Demyelination in spinal cord; self-mutilation; toe gnawing; Neuromuscular atrophy; Hip dysplasia; Dwarfism
- Sussex Spaniel
Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVD)
- Vizsla
Hip dysplasia
- Weimaraner
Hip dysplasia; Neoplasias; Elbow dysplasia; Dwarfism; Myastenia gravis
- Welsh Springer Spaniel
Thyroid disorders; Hip dysplasia;
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Hip dysplasia
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HOUNDS
- Afghan Hound
Elbow dysplasia; Thyroid disorders; Malformation of articular surfaces of prximal radius and ulna;
- Basenji
Hip dysplasia;
- Basset Hound
Vertebral deformity with pressure necrosis results from anomaly of third cervical vertebra; Achondroplasia (foreleg lameness caused by anatomical irregularity; cartilage of growth plate grows in irregular directions and is scant); OCD (shoulder); Osteodystrophy; Radial carpal joint irregularity; Patellar luxation; IVD; Panosteitis
- Beagle
Hip dysplasia; Epiphyseal dysplasia; IVD
- Bloodhound
Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia
- Borzoi
- Black-and-Tan Coonhound
Hip dysplasia (high incidence); Polyradiculoneuritis; Coondog paralysis
- Dachshund
IVD; Osteoporosis clinically similar to swimmers, with radiographs showing dense bones and abnormal bone resorption; UAP (ununited anconeal process); Patellar luxation; Achondroplasia; Thyroid disorders;
- Greyhound
Short spine
- Irish Wolfhound
Elbow hygroma; Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia; Metabolic bone disease; UAP; Neoplasias;
- Otterhound
Hip dysplasia (high incidence); Elbow dysplasia;
- Pharaoh Hound
Medial patellar luxation
- Petit Basset griffon Vendeen
Hip dysplasia;
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
Cervical vertebral deformity; Hip dysplasia; Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae
- Saluki
Hip dysplasia;
- Scottish Deerhound
OCD
- Whippet
Toe injuries
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WORKING DOGS
- Akita
Juvenile polyarthritis causing pain and fever; Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia; Thyroid disorders;
- Alaskan Malamute
Hip dysplasia; Chondrodysplasia (dwarfism associated with anemia that produces stunted growth in the forelegs, lateral deviation of the foot, carpal enlargement, bowing of forelegs, and a sloping topline); Polyneuropathy
- Bernese Mountain Dog
Hip dysplasia (very high incidence); Elbow dysplasia; Neoplasias;
- Boxer
Neoplasias; IVD; Cardiomyopathy
- Bullmastiff
Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia; Cervical vertebral malformation; UAP
- Doberman Pinscher
Wobbler syndrome; Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia;
Neoplasias;
- Giant Schnauzer
Hip dysplasia (high incidence); OCD; Thyroid disorders;
- Great Dane
Wobbler syndrome; Stockard's paralysis; Cervical calcinosis circumscripta; OCD; Metabolic bone disease; Elbow dysplasia;
Neoplasias;
- Great Pyrenees
Hip dysplasia; Patellar luxation; Swimmers syndrome; Brittle bone syndrome; UAP
- Komondor
Hip dysplasia;
- Kuvasz
Hip dysplasia;
- Mastiff
Hip dysplasia; Elbow dysplasia;
- Newfoundland
Hip dysplasia (high incidence); Elbow dysplasia; UAP
- Portuguese Water Dog
Hip dysplasia;
- Rottweiler
Hip dysplasia (high incidence); Elbow dysplasia; Muscular dystrophy;
- Saint Bernard
Stockard's paralysis; Neoplasias; Hip dysplasia (high incidence); Metabolic bone disease; Elbow dysplasia; OCD; Wobbler syndrome;
- Samoyed
Hip dysplasia; Dwarfism; Muscular dystrophy;
- Siberian Husky
Hip dysplasia
- Standard Schnauzer
Hip dysplasia; Thyroid disorders;
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TERRIERS
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TOY DOGS
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NON-SPORTING DOGS
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HERDING DOGS
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Please keep in mind that obese companion animals are predisposed to orthopedic disease. Dietary therapy, increasing exercise and behavioral management are all important in weight management in dogs and cats. Developmental orthopedic disease is a group of musculoskeletal disorders that occur in growing animals (most commonly fast growing, large breed dogs). Osteochondritis dissecans and canine hip dysplasia are the overwhelming majority of the diagnoses in those musculoskeletal problems with a possible nutritional-related etiology. Nutritional management alone will not completely control osteochondrosis or any of the developmental bone diseases. However,
osteochondrosis and other developmental orthopedic diseases can be influenced
during growth by feeding technique and nutrient profile.
With advancing years a dog may suffer from a variety of conditions of its musculoskeletal system which adversely affect its ability to exercise and may cause it to be retired from activities in work and sport for which it has been trained. Arthritis is common, and in many cases arises from developmental errors suffered in puppyhood, such as hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis and growth plate disorders. Trauma to joints (ligament ruptures, dislocations and fractures) may also be the precursor of degenerative joint changes later in life. It is important, therefore, for all such conditions to be corrected as effectively as possible if joint disease is to be minimised as the dog grows older. Preventive action is also required for some conditions for which correction may not be entirely feasible
References:
1. Canine Orthopedics by Robert L. Rooks, DVM and Connie Jankowski
2. Nutrition and osteochondrosis.Richardson DC, Zentek J. Science and Technology Center, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Topeka, Kansas, USA.
3. Orthopaedic problems in old dogs.Vaughan LC. Department of Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
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