Hereditary Defects

Inherited Diseases and Defects

Hereditary diseases are not limited to those breeds that are tested for them, though they are known to be more significantly a problem in those breeds.

Hip Dysplasia

The BVA has a list of breeds with scores of hip screening, showing the extent of the problem within particular breeds. There is a very clear explanation of Hip Dysplasia by John Foster, on the BVA site, together with illustrative x-rays.

Elbow Dysplasia

Matthew Pead and Sue Guthrie have written an accessible description of Elbow Dysplasia, which seems to have become something of an epidemic in recent years.

Eye Diseases

There are 11 different eye diseases affecting 47 dog breeds; this BVA link gives an outline of procedures for testing. Veterinary opthalmologist Keith Barnett describes the range of eye problems on the Animal Health Trust website.

Whilst many diseases can be screened for, some can be corrected by surgery. However, it is totally unethical to breed from affected dogs as they will only be producing further dogs who may suffer from painful and potentially blinding conditions.

Insurance

Veterinary fees can be extremely high, with some procedures costing thousands. Our experience is that many vets appear to assume that pets have insurance cover, and treat accordingly. There are many companies specialising in pet insurance and we have found that Halifax Pet Insurance is certainly amongst the best.

Akita	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Alaskan Malamute	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Australian Shepherd Dog	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Basenji	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Basset Hound	G BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Bedlington Terrier	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Belgian Shepherd Dog	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Bernese Mountain Dog	BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Border Collie	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Boston Terrier	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Briard	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme CSNB
Brittany	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Bull Terrier (Miniature)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Collie (Rough and Smooth)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Dachshund (Miniature Long Hair)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Dobermann	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes vWD
English Setter	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Finnish Lapphund	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Fox Terrier (Smooth and Wire)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Giant Schnauzer	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Gordon Setter	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Great Dane	BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Hungarian Puli	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Hungarian Viszla	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Irish Red and White Setter	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme CLAD
Irish Setter	CLAD CPRA
Irish Wolfhound	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Italian Spinone	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Lancashire Heeler	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Large Munsterlander	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Lhasa Apso	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Leonberger	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Mastiff	BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Miniature Schnauzer	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Newfoundland	BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Norwegian Buhund	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Norwegian Elkhound	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Old English Sheepdog	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Parson Russell Terrier	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Polish Lowland Sheepdog	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Poodle (Miniature)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Poodle (Standard)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Poodle (Toy)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Retriever (Flat Coated)	G BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Retriever (Golden)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling)	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Retriever (Labrador)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Rottweiler	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme BVA/KC Elbow Scheme
Sealyham Terrier	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Shetland Sheepdog	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Siberian Husky	G BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Spaniel (American Cocker)	G BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Spaniel (Clumber)	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Spaniel (Cocker)	G BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Spaniel (English Springer)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes FUCO
Spaniel (Sussex)	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Spaniel (Welsh Springer)	G BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Staffordshire Bull Terrier	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Tibetan Spaniel	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes
Tibetan Terrier	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Weimaraner	BVA/KC Hip Scheme
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)	BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes CPRA

BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes The sire and dam should have a current clear eye examination certificate (within 18 months of the date of registration of the litter) The BVA/KC/ISDS + AHT/ECVO Eye Schemes link is an excellent information source on eye problems in dogs.

G This indicates that a test for predisposition to glaucoma is required. This test only needs to be performed once.

CPRA Central Progessive Retinal Atrophy. This leads to gradual blindness, symptoms can occur in quite young puppies. This is now defined as being a metabolic problem which can be treated with supplementation.

The CPRA link is an excellent information source on eye problems in dogs.

CLAD Canine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency. This is genetic mutation which damages the immune system and leads to an early and painful death for the puppy.

vWD von Willebrands Disease. This is a clotting deficiency of the blood which has varying degrees of seriousness.

FUCO Fucosidosis. A deficiency of the metabolism which can lead to nerve damage. Has been identified in English Springer Spaniels.

CSNB Congenital Stationary Night Blindness. A recessive gene causing night blindness, though daylight vision remains unaffected.

BVA -     British Veterinary Association
AHT -   Animal Health Trust
KC -     Kennel Club
ISDS -    International Sheepdog Society
ECVO - European Eye Testing Certificate

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