Hypothroidism? Hip Dysplasia? Patellar luxation? What's That ???

Helpful Definitions for Genetic Disorders

***This list is not meant to be all inclusive or to advise for or against a specific breed, use it as an educational tool.  If you have concerns, talk to your vet and breeder ! ***

Hypothyroidism—abnormally low production of thyroid hormone; occurs in Golden
Retrievers, Doberman  Pinchers, Chow Chows, Giant Schnauzers and others.

Hip dysplasia—abnormal development of hip joint; occurs in Rottweilers, German
Shepherds, Labradors, Vislas, Great Pyrenees and others.

Cardiomyopathy—abnormal heart muscle; occurs in Boxers, Newfoundlands, Saint
Bernards, Doberman Pinschers and others.

Cataracts—thickening of the eye lens; occurs in Golden Retrievers, Labradors,
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Afghans, Old English Sheepdogs, Staffordshire Bull
Terriers and others.

Seizures—epilepsy or convulsions;  in Beagles, Poodles, Bichon-Frises,
Dachshunds, Springer Spaniels and more.

Bleeding disorders—lack of various blood clotting factors; more common in Alaskan
Malamute, Doberman Pinschers, Collies, German Shorthair Pointers, Bulldogs,
Greyhounds, Samoyeds and more.

Patellar luxation—kneecap slips out of place; more common in Yorkshire Terriers, Papillions,
Silky Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese, Pugs, Boston Terriers and others.

Retinal degeneration—decay of the nerve cell layer that lines the eye; more common in
Australian Shepherds, Collies, Pointers, Salukis, Border Collies, Gordon Setters and
many more.

Generalized demodectic mange—hair loss all over body due to a common skin mite;
tendency toward clinical signs occur most often  in Shar Peis, West Highland white terrier,
Scottish terrier, English bulldog, Boston terrier, great Dane, Weimaraners, Airedale,
Malamute and Afghan.

Glaucoma—increased pressure in the inner eye;  more common in Fox Terriers, Chihuahuas,
Boston Terriers, Basset Hounds, Salukis, Norwegian Elkhounds, Poodles and more.

Bone cancer—abnormal growth of bone cells; occurs in Doberman Pinschers, Irish
Setters, Great Danes, Saint Bernards and more.

Von Willebrand’s disease—certain type of bleeding disorder; more common in Doberman
Pinschers, German Shepherds, Shelties, Scottish Terriers, Greyhounds, Siberian
Huskies and more.

Hernia—weakness in body wall that allows internal tissues to protrude;more common in
Basenjis, Basset Hounds, Airedales, Springer Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos and more.

Cryptorchidism—one or both testicles fail to descend into scrotum; occurs in Border
Collies, Pomeranians, Poodles, Whippets, Weimaraners, Miniature Schnauzers,
Brittanies and more.

Entropion—eyelid(s) roll in and irritate the eye; common in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers,
Chow Chows, Chinese Shar Peis, Pugs, Akitas, Schipperkes and more.

Deafness—lack of hearing; more common in Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, Parson Russell
Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Akitas, Dalmatians, American Staffordshire
Terriers, Shelties and more.

Intervertebral disc disease—“slipped disc” in spinal column; more common in Dachshunds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Scotties, Pekingese, Poodles and others.