Page 339 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

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DISEASE DESCRIPTION CAN IT BE MANAGING THE TYPES OF DOG
SCREENED FOR? DISEASE AFFECTED
Distichiasis Abnormal growth of the No. Affected dogs should A vet may remove the May occur in any breed but
eyelashes. May cause pain not be used for breeding. abnormal hairs by plucking. is more common in those
and discomfort. with moderate to heavy
skin folds on the head.

Deafness Complete or partial loss of Yes. A noninvasive, painless A dog completely deaf from Most common in dogs with
hearing; can occur from test can be carried out by a birth is not recommended white, spotted, dappled, or
birth or over the course of specialist vet. as a pet. Partially deaf dogs merle coats. Some dogs
the dog’s life. often have normal lives. also have blue eyes.

Abnormal dentition In most breeds, the teeth No. Affected dogs should Most dogs experience no An undershot jaw is
normally meet in a scissor not be used for breeding. problems. Occasionally, acceptable in some
bite. Deviation from this surgical intervention is brachycephalic breeds.
can result in an overshot called for if the dog has In others, it is considered
or undershot jaw. trouble eating or drinking. a fault.

Elongated palate A condition in which the No. Affected dogs should Serious cases can be Most prevalent in
soft palate at the back not be used for breeding. corrected with surgery to brachycephalic breeds.
of the mouth abnormally remove excess tissue on
overlaps the airway, the palate.
obstructing breathing.

Hypothyroidism A deficiency in thyroid Yes. A blood test is Typical symptoms such as Occurs in medium-
hormone that causes available. Affected weight gain, lethargy, and and large-sized dogs.
slow metabolism. dogs should not be hair loss can be controlled Symptoms tend to
used for breeding. with medication. appear when dogs reach
middle age.
Diabetes mellitus A condition in which the Yes. A DNA test is possible Dogs who eat or drink Not breed or group specific.
dog’s ability to metabolize but not routinely carried unusually large amounts More common in females.
blood sugar is impaired. out. Affected dogs should may be suffering from Symptoms tend to appear
not be used for breeding. diabetes; the condition when dogs reach middle
can be controlled with age.
medication.

Cleft palate The roof of the mouth No. Any dog that has Most vets recommend May occur in any breed or
does not join correctly produced puppies with cleft euthanizing affected crossbred dog but most
in the middle, preventing palates should not be used puppies. Occasionally, it common in brachycephalic
puppies from suckling for further breeding. may be possible to hand breeds.
properly. rear a puppy until it is old
enough to undergo
corrective surgery.
Megaesophagus An enlarged esophagus No. Any dog that has Depending on the severity Not breed or group specific.
that lacks muscle tone and produced puppies with of the condition, changes If condition is congenital,
cannot convey swallowed megaesophagus should not such as feeding small symptoms appear in the
food down to the stomach. be used for further amounts from a raised bowl first few weeks or months
An affected dog constantly breeding. can have a positive impact. of life.
regurgitates.
Epilepsy A neurological disorder Yes. DNA test. Affected Epilepsy is not curable, Not breed or group specific.
causing characteristic dogs should not be used but drug therapy can If congenital, symptoms
fits or seizures. for breeding. greatly reduce the appear between 6 months
likelihood of seizures. and 5 years of age.

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