Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Von Willebrand disease type I(vWD1)
Von Willebrand Disease Type I is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot properly. It is caused by a deficiency in von Willebrand factor, a specific protein that helps blood platelets stick together to plug damaged blood vessels. Because this is an autosomal-dominant condition, a dog only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene to potentially show symptoms.
Affects 11 breedsView details - SevereHeartComplex
Aortic valve stenosis(AS)
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart, which controls blood flow from the main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) to the rest of the body. Because of this restriction, the heart muscle must work much harder to pump blood, which eventually causes the muscle wall to thicken abnormally. This is a severe cardiovascular condition that can strain the heart over time.
Affects 10 breedsView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Dermatomyositis(DMS)
Dermatomyositis is an inherited, immune-mediated disease where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own skin and underlying muscles, causing chronic inflammation. This condition primarily affects the blood vessels supplying these tissues, leading to tissue damage. It is most frequently diagnosed in Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs.
Affects 10 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Diabetes mellitus(DM)
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting the endocrine system, specifically the pancreas, which fails to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a vital hormone that allows the body's cells to absorb glucose, or sugar, from the bloodstream to use as energy. Without sufficient insulin, sugar builds up in the blood while the body's cells are starved of fuel.
Affects 10 breedsView details - HighHeartComplex
Tricuspid valve dysplasia(TVD)
Tricuspid valve dysplasia is a congenital heart defect where the tricuspid valve, located on the right side of the heart, does not develop normally. This valve normally acts as a one-way gate, but its malformation prevents it from closing properly. As a result, blood leaks backward into the right atrium instead of flowing forward to the lungs, forcing the heart to work much harder.
Affects 10 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Cesarean section
A Cesarean section (Kaiserschnitt) is an emergency surgical procedure where puppies are delivered through incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus (womb). This reproductive system intervention becomes necessary when natural birth is impossible due to physical blockages or when the uterine muscles fail to contract.
Affects 9 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemComplex
Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM)(CM/SM)
Chiari-like malformation is a structural neurological condition where the back of the skull is too small for the brain, forcing the lower part of the brain into the spinal canal. This displacement blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, the protective liquid surrounding the brain and spine. Over time, the blocked fluid builds up and forms painful, fluid-filled cavities called syrinxes within the spinal cord, a secondary condition known as syringomyelia.
Affects 9 breedsView details - HighMouth & teethAutosomal dominant
Chondrodystrophy(CDDY)
Chondrodystrophy is an inherited genetic condition that affects the development of cartilage and bone, leading to shortened limbs. This abnormal growth also causes the cartilage in the spinal discs to harden and degenerate prematurely. This degeneration significantly increases the risk of painful spinal disc herniations, which occur when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae bulge or rupture.
Affects 9 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighMouth & teethUnknown
Cranioschisis
Lückenschädel is a congenital developmental defect affecting the skeletal system, specifically the skull. It occurs when the bones of the cranial vault fail to harden or ossify completely, leaving thin spots, depressions, or actual gaps in the bone structure. This defect is often associated with increased pressure within the skull and other brain abnormalities.
Affects 9 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (Cutaneous asthenia)(EDS)
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, also known as cutaneous asthenia, is an inherited connective tissue disorder that affects the skin and joints. It is caused by a genetic defect in collagen, which is the primary structural protein that provides strength and elasticity to tissues. Because of this defect, the skin lacks its normal structural integrity, making it unusually fragile, thin, and loose.
Affects 9 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Exercise Induced Collapse(EIC)
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited disorder of the nervous system where the communication between the brain and the muscles temporarily breaks down during intense physical activity or high excitement. This neurological failure prevents the muscles from receiving the signals they need to function properly, causing a sudden loss of motor control. It is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a dog must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 9 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Seborrhea
Primary seborrhea is an inherited skin disorder where the body's natural process of shedding and replacing skin cells happens much too quickly. This rapid cell turnover disrupts the skin's protective barrier and causes an overproduction of sebum, which is the natural oil produced by the skin's glands. As a result, the skin becomes either excessively greasy or very dry and flaky.
Affects 9 breedsView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Susceptibility to otitis externa
This condition is a genetic predisposition to inflammation of the external ear canal, which is the tube running from the outer ear to the eardrum. It affects the skin lining the ear and is often worsened by physical traits like floppy ears or underlying skin allergies. This inflammation makes the ear environment highly susceptible to recurrent bacterial or yeast infections.
Affects 9 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Apple head
Apfelkopf, or apple head, describes an extremely rounded, dome-like skull shape with a very pronounced forehead angle, or stop. This skeletal variation affects the structure of the head and can predispose dogs to open fontanelles, which are soft spots where the skull bones fail to close fully. In some cases, this shape can also restrict fluid flow in the brain, leading to a buildup of fluid known as hydrocephalus.
Affects 8 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Hypomyelination(HYM)
This is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the central nervous system, where the protective myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers fails to develop properly. Without this adequate insulation, nerve signals cannot travel efficiently between the brain and the body. This disruption leads to impaired coordination and involuntary muscle movements.
Affects 8 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Ichthyosis(ICT)
Ichthyosis is an inherited skin disorder where the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, does not develop or shed properly. This defect in keratinization—the process of forming a protective outer skin barrier—leads to a buildup of dry, thick, and scaly skin. Because this barrier is compromised, the dog's body is more vulnerable to secondary infections.
Affects 8 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Osteogenesis imperfecta(OI)
Osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease, is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the skeletal system and connective tissues. It is caused by a defect in collagen production, which is the primary structural protein needed to build strong bones and teeth. Without proper collagen, the bones become extremely fragile and prone to breaking under normal, everyday activities.
Affects 8 breedsView details - HighEyesComplex
Pannus (Chronic Superficial Keratitis)(CSK)
Pannus, or chronic superficial keratitis, is an immune-mediated disease affecting the cornea, which is the clear outer surface of the eye. In this condition, the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the cornea, causing blood vessels and dark pigment to grow across it. This process is worsened by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and can eventually block the dog's vision.
Affects 8 breedsView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Pattern baldness
Pattern baldness is a cosmetic, genetically influenced condition affecting the skin and coat. It occurs when hair follicles gradually shrink over time, leading to localized hair loss. Because there is no underlying inflammation or infection, the skin itself remains healthy and unaffected.
Affects 8 breedsView details - HighHeartComplex
Pulmonary stenosis(PS)
Pulmonary stenosis is a congenital heart defect characterized by a narrowing of the pulmonary valve or the outflow tract leading from the heart to the lungs. This narrowing restricts blood flow, forcing the right side of the heart to work much harder to pump blood. Over time, this constant strain can lead to thickening of the heart muscle and potential heart failure.
Affects 8 breedsView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Tail abnormalities
Tail abnormalities (Rutenanomalien) are congenital malformations affecting the skeletal system, specifically the tail bones (caudal vertebrae). They occur during embryonic development in the womb when the individual vertebrae do not form properly, leading to fused, misshapen, or shortened bones. This is a structural issue of the spine's tail section and is typically inherited in a complex manner.
Affects 8 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Bleeding disorder
A bleeding disorder is a malfunction of the circulatory system where the blood cannot clot properly due to missing or defective clotting factors or platelets, which are the cells responsible for plugging damaged blood vessels. This impairment prevents the body from effectively sealing wounds, leading to prolonged internal or external bleeding.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
D-Locus (d1)(D-Lokus)
The D-Locus (d1 variant) affects the MLPH gene, which controls how pigment is distributed within a dog's hair shafts. When a dog inherits two copies of this variant, their coat color is diluted, turning black to blue-grey or brown to lilac. In some dogs, this altered pigment distribution weakens the hair shafts, which can lead to a skin and coat condition called Color Dilution Alopecia.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD)
This is a severe, inherited muscle disorder caused by a lack of dystrophin, which is a crucial protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Without this protein, both the skeletal muscles used for movement and the cardiac muscle of the heart progressively weaken and break down.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Ectopic ureter(EU)
An ectopic ureter is a birth defect affecting the urinary system where the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, known as ureters, bypass the bladder and connect to the wrong location. This abnormal connection, which often ends in the urethra or vagina, prevents the bladder from properly holding urine.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: Cardiac examView details
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