Hip Dysplasia (HD)
Is a malformation of the hip socket. This means that the bone dose not fit in the socket
properly causing wear and tear on the bones. You will see lameness and horrible pain in this genetic (hereditary) disease.
X-rays are take at age 2 or older to evaluate breeding stock to see if this disease is present. The Orthopedic Foundation
for Animals (OFA) then look at the x-rays and assign the individual dogs a rating as to the quality of their hips. According
to OFA guidelines the following ratings are ok for breeding stock: Excellent, Good, and Fair. Anything below these ratings
means that the dog is dysplastic. Once a dog is given a rating that dog is put into their database for reference. A preliminary
x-ray can be preformed at 1 year so as to get an idea of the condition of the hips. OFA will not put results of the hips into
their database until the dog is x-rayed at 2 yrs or older after the dog is finished growing.
PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA)
Is the most comon congenital heart defect seen in dogs. The vessel that carries the blood
in neonate puppies closes immediately at birth. This disease happens when this vessel does not close at birth. This can cause
an overlaod on the left side of the heart which causes an enlargment of the left side of the heart. A bounding pulse and heart
murmur are signs of this disease. Dogs with this disease should NEVER be bred.
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (PRA)
It causes a breakdown of the tissues at the back of the retina causing blindness. This is
a hereditary diesease. You may see a cloudyness of the eyes resulting in cataracts. Dogs can be tested for this at local eye
clinics by certified eye specialists. Dogs with this Disease should NEVER be bred.
SEBACEOUS ADENITIS (SA)
Is a skin disorder where the sebaceous glands do not function properly. This is displayed
in a dog as loss of hair and a silvery scaling on the back. This disease can be discovered by a skin punch test.
Addisons DiseaseThis disease
is caused by the adrenal glands not producing enough cortisone and aldosterone. Symptoms may include decreased appetite, increased
thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss. The dog will require medication for the rest of its life. Dogs are tested
for this disease by a simple blood test. This test does not prove/disprove carrier status. The dog may test clear but could
still develop the disease later in life and may produce puppies with this disease.
Epilepsy
This is a serious disease that
causes your dog to have convulsions. Convulsions can be caused by many factors: injuries to the head, ingested poisons, or
inherited genetic disease. Dogs with this condition should NOT be bred, no ifs ands or buts. The treatment is anticonvulsant
medication. There is no test available for this disease.
This disease most commonly starts in dogs 2-3 years of age.
More information can be found
at this site
PATELLAR LUXATION
Is where the knee cap does not fit in the groove of the leg bone
properly and causes a popping of the knee cap when the leg is bent. Some dogs with this genetic disease can be seen to limp
or jerk the leg up occasionally when running or walking. This disease can be diagnosed by your vet by preforming a simple
manipulation of the knee cap. Reports can be registered with OFA after 1 year of age. Dogs found to have luxating patellas
should NOT be bred.
LEGG-CALVE-PERTHES DISEASE (LCP)
is a disorder of hip joint conformation. It is most often seen
in the miniature and toy breeds between the ages of 4 months to a year. LCP is caused when the blood supply to the femoral
head is interrupted resulting in the bone tissue dying. This is followed by a regrowth of the tissue one the bone causing
the bone to not fit properly into the hip joint. This disease is very painful to the dog. This is a genetic disorder and dogs
found to have this disease should NEVER be bred.
For more information about any of these conditions and appropriate
testing please visit the following sites:
http://www.ofa.org/index.html
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/
