Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
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- SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Ataxia, CNS atrophy with cerebellar ataxia (Belgian Malinois)(CaCa)
This is a severe, inherited neurological disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain's coordination center, known as the cerebellum. As these cells degenerate, the dog loses the ability to control and coordinate its voluntary movements. It is an autosomal recessive condition, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (Lagotto Romagnolo)(BFJE)
This is an inherited brain disorder in Lagotto Romagnolo puppies caused by a temporary dysfunction in the central nervous system during early development. Because it is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, a puppy must inherit two copies of the mutated gene—one from each parent—to be affected. The condition is benign, meaning it is temporary and the brain function typically normalizes as the dog matures.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)(CCD)
This condition is a progressive degeneration of the brain tissue in aging dogs, closely resembling Alzheimer's disease in humans. It involves the gradual breakdown of nerve cells and pathways in the central nervous system, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities. Veterinarians often use the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES) to assess the severity of this mental decline.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighEarsAutosomal recessive
Centronuclear myopathy 2, BIN1-related(CNM)
Centronuclear myopathy 2, also known as IMGD, is an inherited muscle disorder caused by a genetic defect in the BIN1 gene. This mutation disrupts the normal structure of muscle fibers, which are the microscopic building blocks of skeletal muscles. Because these fibers cannot contract properly, the dog's muscles progressively weaken and waste away.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Cerebellar abiotrophy, VMP1-related(CA)
This is an inherited neurological disorder where cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates movement, prematurely degenerate. Because the brain tissue cannot repair itself, this leads to a progressive loss of motor control. This specific form of the disease is caused by a genetic variant in the VMP1 gene.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Cerebellar Degeneration (Setter)(HA/CA)
This is an inherited neurological disorder where nerve cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement, prematurely break down and die. In Gordon Setters, this degeneration is linked to a specific genetic mutation and is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 1 breedView details - ModerateEyesComplex
Coloboma
A coloboma is a congenital eye defect where a portion of the eye's structure, such as the iris, retina, or optic nerve, fails to develop completely. This occurs during fetal development when the optic fissure, which is the groove that helps form the eye, does not close fully, leaving a gap. It is a structural condition of the visual system with a complex inheritance pattern.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Complement deficiency(C3D)
This is an inherited disorder of the immune system where the dog lacks key proteins belonging to the complement system. The complement system is a group of proteins in the blood that normally work together to help the body recognize and destroy invading bacteria. Without these proteins, the dog's natural defense mechanism is severely compromised.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone-Rod Dystrophy (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)(crd-PRA)
Cone-Rod Dystrophy (crd-PRA) is an inherited eye disease that causes the progressive degeneration of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It specifically damages the photoreceptor cells, starting with the cones, which detect bright light and detail, and eventually spreading to the rods, which are responsible for night vision.
Affects 1 breedView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Congenital hypotrichosis
Congenital hypotrichosis is an inherited skin condition where the hair follicles do not develop properly, leading to abnormal hair growth or hair loss. This genetic defect affects the integumentary system (the skin and hair) while leaving the rest of the dog's internal organs and general health completely unaffected.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Congenital myasthenic syndrome, COLQ-related(CMS)
This is an inherited neuromuscular disorder where the communication between nerves and muscles is disrupted. It is caused by a deficiency in an essential enzyme at the junction where nerves meet muscles, preventing normal chemical signaling. Without this signal transmission, the muscles cannot contract properly and tire very quickly.
Affects 1 breedView details - MildEyesComplex
Corneal Lipid Dystrophy
Hornhautlipiddystrophie is a benign, inherited eye condition where fatty substances, known as lipids, build up within the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye. This accumulation creates cloudy, whitish-gray spots in the eye tissue. Because these deposits are typically small and do not cause inflammation, they rarely interfere with a dog's vision.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighKneesComplex
Cranial cruciate ligament rupture(CCLR)
A rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a tear in one of the main stabilizing ligaments inside the dog's knee joint. Unlike in humans, where this is often an acute sports injury, in dogs it usually results from a gradual, genetically influenced weakening of the ligament over time. This tearing leads to painful instability in the joint and accelerates wear on the surrounding joint cartilage.
Affects 1 breedView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Cutaneous mucinosis(SPCM)
Cutaneous mucinosis is a skin disorder where an excessive amount of mucin, a jelly-like substance that normally supports skin structure, builds up in the deeper layers of the skin. This accumulation causes the skin to become unusually thick, heavy, and prone to extreme folding.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 2 risk factor(Cyst3-2)
This is an inherited metabolic disorder of the kidneys where the organ fails to properly reabsorb the amino acid cystine from the urine. Excess cystine then builds up and forms painful crystals or stones in the bladder and urinary tract. This specific Type 3 variant is complex and influenced by hormones, primarily putting intact male dogs at risk.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Dalmatian bronzing syndrome(DBS)
Dalmatian bronzing syndrome, often called 'Dal crud,' is a complex skin disorder linked to the breed's unique uric acid metabolism. This metabolic quirk leads to inflammation of the hair follicles, which are the tiny pockets in the skin where hair grows. Because it is a complex condition rather than a simple genetic mutation, diagnosis requires a skin biopsy rather than a DNA test.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Degenerative encephalopathy(DE)
Degenerative encephalopathy is a severe, inherited brain disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RB1CC1 gene. This mutation leads to the progressive breakdown of nerve tissue in the brain, which severely disrupts how signals are transmitted throughout the central nervous system.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereSpineAutosomal recessive
Degenerative Myelopathy (Bernese Mountain Dog variant) SOD1(DM-2)
This is a severe, progressive disease of the spinal cord and nervous system specifically affecting Bernese Mountain Dogs. It is caused by a genetic mutation in the SOD1 gene that leads to the gradual breakdown of the nerve pathways that send signals from the brain to the limbs. As these pathways deteriorate, the dog slowly loses the ability to coordinate its movements.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereSpineComplex
Degenerative Myelopathy Early-Onset Modifier (Pembroke Welsh Corgi)
This genetic modifier, abbreviated as DMRM, is a variation in the SP110 gene that accelerates the onset of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. DM is a severe, progressive disease of the spinal cord where the protective sheath around the nerves degrades, disrupting the signals between the brain and the body. Dogs carrying this modifier experience this neurological decline much earlier in life than those without it.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighHeartAutosomal dominant
Delayed postoperative hemorrhage(DEPOH)
Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the circulatory system. In affected dogs, the normal blood clots that form to seal surgical wounds break down prematurely. This leads to unexpected bleeding hours or days after a surgical procedure has completed.
Affects 1 breedView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Dental hypomineralization(DH)
This is an inherited dental disorder where the outer protective layer of the teeth, known as enamel, does not mineralize properly during development. Because the enamel remains soft and thin, the teeth lack their normal protective shield and are highly prone to damage. This genetic condition is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereEyesAutosomal recessive
Dental-skeletal-retinal anomaly(DSRA)
Dentale-skeletale-retinale Anomalie (DSRA) is a severe, inherited systemic disease that affects multiple organ systems, specifically the teeth, bones, and the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts the normal development and structure of these essential tissues. This disruption prevents the skeleton, teeth, and eyes from forming and functioning properly.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Epidermal dysplasia
Epidermal dysplasia, also known as Westie Armadillo Syndrome or hyperplastic dermatosis, is an inherited skin disorder where the outer layers of the skin do not develop or mature properly. This defect compromises the skin's natural protective barrier, making it highly vulnerable to secondary yeast and bacterial infections. The condition primarily affects the integumentary (skin) system, leading to chronic, severe inflammation.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency(EPI)
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a digestive disorder where the pancreas fails to produce enough essential enzymes to break down food. Without these enzymes, the dog's digestive system cannot absorb nutrients properly, leading to malnutrition. Diagnosis is typically confirmed using a specific blood test called the canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) serum test.
Affects 1 breedView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Factor XI deficiency(FXID)
Factor XI deficiency is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the circulatory system. It occurs when the body does not produce enough Factor XI, which is a specific protein crucial for helping the blood clot properly. Without enough of this protein, the normal chemical chain reaction that stops bleeding is disrupted.
Affects 1 breedView details
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